According to Reuters, major law firms are racing to adapt to rapid developments in artificial intelligence, bringing in new leaders to manage the emerging technology and help lawyers incorporate AI into their legal work.
Rope & Gray announced Thursday that it has hired Gretchen Greene as its first head of AI strategy, according to Reuters. Mr. Green, who previously worked as an associate at the firm, most recently led the implementation of AI for Meta Platforms' policy and legal teams. She is a lawyer and an AI researcher with expertise in machine learning. Her role will include working with the company's chief information officer to lead AI initiatives and create business value for customers, Reuters reported. She could not be reached for comment, and Mehta did not respond to requests for comment on her resignation.
The acceleration of generative AI in late 2022 and beyond is forcing many large law firms to create new leadership positions focused on technology governance. These tools could speed up legal tasks such as drafting and research, and could reshape the work of junior associates, according to Reuters.
Other companies are making similar moves. Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer recently appointed Ilona Logvinova as global chief AI officer. Earlier this year, Husch Blackwell hired Michael Yang from Adobe, and Fisher Phillips hired former Walmart leader Pritesh Patel to boost its AI capabilities. Meanwhile, Linklaters announced it has formed a group of 20 lawyers dedicated to applying AI across its operations.
Rope & Gray also encourages young lawyers to improve their skills. The company recently introduced a program that allows first-year employees to spend up to 20% of their billable time requirements on AI training and simulation. The company previously told Reuters the initiative was a “deliberate investment” in professional development aimed at keeping pace with technological change without compromising productivity expectations.
As legal departments experiment with automation and analytics, leading firms appear determined to position themselves at the forefront of the AI boom to serve clients more efficiently and remain competitive in a rapidly changing industry.
Source: Reuters
