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If you’ve felt the pressure mounting lately, you’re not imagining it. CLOC 2026 State of the Industry Report found that only 47% of legal departments expect budget increases this year, down from 65% the year before—even as tariffs, regulatory changes, and market volatility make contracting more complex by the day.
And our own 2026 Contracting Benchmark Report found that the easy internal wins are largely behind us too: gains in cycle time, legal involvement, and template usage are real but incremental.
Working together across departments, organizations, and industries is invaluable, especially when things get hectic. That’s why we’re so excited to connect with everyone at CLOC 2026. Here are just a few of the things we have planned—we hope you’ll join us!
1. Learn how to make the value of legal ops unignorable
Legal is still too often viewed as a cost center, measured by spend, headcount, and risk avoidance rather than value created. This outdated mindset doesn’t just limit Legal’s influence; it holds the entire business back.
Jasmine Singh, General Counsel at Ironclad, will lead a session called “Beyond the ‘Cost Center’ Myth: Using AI and Outcome-Driven Metrics to Fund Legal.” The session focuses on the strategies legal leaders can use to reframe Legal from a cost to minimize into a value engine worthy of strategic investment.
Drawing from her experience advising executive teams, Jasmine will share:
- A practical metrics framework and executive-ready narrative for getting Finance and the C-Suite on board
- A concrete blueprint for shifting Legal from activity tracking to measurable revenue impact
- A clear picture of how AI can reduce contract review times and keep deals moving — and how to use that to fund your department’s future
Session details: Wednesday, May 13 | 1:30 PM-2 PM CT | McCormick Place Meeting Room W181
2. Fuel up before conference doors open
Before the conference floor opens for the day, join us for a relaxed coffee chat and light bites breakfast at Woven + Bound Restaurant near McCormick Place. It’s a relaxed setting designed for personal conversation with Ironclad executives, legal ops experts, and fellow legal leaders, all in the same room. Bring your questions, your challenges, or just your appetite. Save your seat or stop by to talk about whatever’s on your plate.
Event details: Wednesday, May 13 | 7 AM-9 AM CT | Woven + Bound Restaurant, 2121 South Prairie Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60616
3. Take a break at the Ironclad booth
When you need a breather from your full CLOC days, find us at Booth #147. Decompress and stock up on conference survival essentials like eye patches, chapstick, sunscreen, and a custom embroidered hat to take home. We’ll also have demos of our latest releases, including Ironclad Assistant, which turns your contracts into a living source of intelligence. See in real time how you can ask questions like “Which customer contracts will renew in the next 90 days?” or “Show me contracts where we can renegotiate pricing if tariffs increase.”
4. Swap stories over drinks at the Spaulding Ridge Happy Hour
Wrap up the first day by making new connections within the legal ops community at Fatpour. Just steps away from Chicago’s iconic Soldier Field, this historic sports bar in the heart of South Loop is the perfect spot to unwind after a long day on the conference floor. Sign up before slots fill up – it’s going to be a crowded afternoon!
Event details: Wednesday, May 13 | 5:30 PM-7 PM CT | Location: Fatpour | 2206 S Indiana Ave, Chicago, IL 60616
There’s a lot to look forward to, and we can’t wait to see you in Chicago! Follow Ironclad on X and LinkedIn for updates leading up to the event.
Ironclad is not a law firm, and this post does not constitute or contain legal advice. To evaluate the accuracy, sufficiency, or reliability of the ideas and guidance reflected here, or the applicability of these materials to your business, you should consult with a licensed attorney.
