Top 5 Legal Governance, Risk, and Compliance Resources from 2021
021 saw several trends reshape the legal landscape, with Chief Legal Officers (CLOs) and General Counsel expanding their responsibilities into privacy regulation, data security, and business strategy. On the risk horizon, the consequences of privacy violations and ransomware attacks have reached all-time highs.
To help legal professionals stay ahead of these changes in Legal Governance, Risk, and Compliance (Legal GRC), we’ve compiled the most popular and strategic resources from 2021.
Chief Legal Officer Survey
Exterro partnered with the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) to survey almost 1,000 CLOs and GCs. This report identifies their top concerns, resource allocation strategies, and evolving areas of responsibility. Benchmark yourself against industry leaders by reviewing these insights.
Download the 2021 ACC Chief Legal Officers Survey
The Fundamentals of Legal GRC
Legal GRC is the convergence of legal and strategic business trends. While many professionals focus on these components individually, this guide helps legal leaders understand the benefits of a holistic approach to managing governance, risk, and compliance.
Download the General Counsel's Guide to Legal GRC
The E-Discovery Big Picture
Exterro’s annual "State of E-Discovery" report provides a comprehensive look at the trends, technology, and best practices shaping the profession. It highlights key lessons for today and prepares legal teams for the challenges of tomorrow.
Download the 2021 State of E-Discovery Report
Managing Data for Privacy Compliance
Contrary to popular belief, preserving all data is often the riskiest approach. Excessive data increases the surface area for breaches and complicates regulatory compliance. This white paper offers a roadmap for implementing a successful data retention program to eliminate "blind spots."
Download Filling in Your Blind Spots: Implementing a Successful Data Retention Program
The 2021 Legal Technology Report
Legal technology is moving fast. Our partnership with the ACC on this report reveals why mature organizations view legal technology as a "must-have" and how they continue to invest to maintain efficient operations.
Download the 2021 Legal Technology Report for In-House Professionals
2026 Perspective: The Evolution of Legal GRC
As we move through 2026, the strategic pieces that were popular in 2021 have evolved into the foundation of modern Data Risk Management.
- From Holistic to Proactive: In 2021, we discussed "holistic" GRC. In 2026, the focus has shifted to Proactive GRC, where AI-driven "agents" (like Exterro Assist) automatically identify privacy risks or litigation triggers before they manifest as crises.
- The Rise of AI Governance: While 2021 was about managing data for privacy, 2026 is about AI Governance. Legal departments are now responsible for ensuring that the company’s use of Generative AI complies with emerging global regulations and internal ethics standards.
- Zero-Copy Discovery: The "State of E-Discovery" in 2026 is defined by Zero-Copy workflows, where data is analyzed and reviewed at the source (like within O365 or Slack) rather than being moved to a separate repository, drastically reducing the "data footprint" discussed in the 2021 retention guides.
Are you finding that your expanded responsibilities in 2026 are shifting more toward AI governance and oversight compared to the privacy and security focus of 2021?
