US law firms McDermott Will & Emery and Akin both announced yesterday (30 September) that they have appointed directors of AI, becoming the latest firms to create and fill this new role.
Akin announced that Jeff Westcott has rejoined the firm as director of practice technology & AI innovation, where he will focus on leveraging AI and other emerging technologies to enhance client service. He was previously global director of innovation and practice technology at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner. A legal technologist with more than 20 years of experience managing teams, projects, operations and innovation, Westcott has held senior roles at Clifford Chance and in his previous tenure at Akin was director of service management and strategy.
“We are enthusiastic about the potential for AI to enhance efficiency and client service,” said Akin chairperson Kim Koopersmith. “I’m delighted to welcome Jeff back to the firm in a new role that will accelerate the firm’s growth strategy and adoption of new and innovative AI tools that enable our lawyers to provide even greater levels of client service. He will help further the work of our already stellar IT department.”
Based in the firm’s London office, Westcott will report to chief information officer Aaron Ruleman.
“Jeff is skilled technologist with a proven track record of innovating with new technologies while driving adoption of practical, real-world solutions,” said Ruleman. “He is a terrific addition to lead our practice innovation & emerging technologies group, leveraging the most cutting-edge technologies to empower our lawyers in delivering results for clients.”
At McDermott, meanwhile, Christopher Cyrus becomes the first director of AI innovation. A litigation attorney and consultant with a background in law and technology, Cyrus will lead the firm’s efforts in exploring, adopting and implementing cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) solutions. Before joining McDermott Cyrus had his own Cyrus Legal Insights practice and also founded LinguaLumen, an ‘AI as a service’ Gen AI startup.
“We believe the business of law will continue to be disrupted and evolve through AI and this addition to our team marks a significant step forward in our commitment to innovation,” said Michael Shea, McDermott’s chief information officer. “Christopher’s expertise will be instrumental in driving AI use cases and adoption within our practice groups. His unique blend of legal and technological expertise will help us source best in class AI technology and ensure we’re deploying these tools in intelligent ways to improve operational efficiency.”
Cyrus referred to Wharton Professor Ethan Mollick, who said that generative AI is a once-in-a-generation technology that touches every industry and every aspect of life. “Like Mollick, I believe GenAI’s unique and powerful functionalities can best be tapped by those who understand parts of culture more deeply than everyone else. The lawyers at McDermott are all knowledge leaders in their field and are well positioned to capitalize on this technology.”
Other law firms that have hired a director of AI include Reed Smith and Latham & Watkins.
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See also:
Latham appoints John Scrudato as director of AI and innovation
Latham appoints John Scrudato as director of AI and innovation