UK-based Michelmores is one of the law firms who are deploying a newbreed of executive who are not litigators, rainmakers or tax specialists but chief innovation officers, chief technology and AI officers, legal operations directors and heads of digital transformation. The titles differ, but law firms are scrambling to keep pace with the industry’s technology arms race.
In Michelmores’ case they have appointed Charlotte Davies (pictured) to the new role – details are shown below.
Global firms however have been leading the charge. Baker McKenzie appointed partner Ben Allgrove as chief innovation officer and has spent years building dedicated AI capabilities across the firm. Australian insurance giant Wotton Kearney recently created its first Chief Technology and AI Officer role, bringing its technology, AI and transformation teams under a single strategy. In the United States, firms including Pillsbury and Ogletree Deakins have established senior AI leadership positions to oversee the deployment of generative AI tools and data-driven legal services.
The trend is accelerating as clients demand faster, smarter and more efficient legal advice.
The Michelmores media release about the new appointment is below
Michelmores has appointed Charlotte Davies as Head of Knowledge & Innovation, a newly created leadership role that reflects the Firm’s continued investment in the future of legal practice.
Working alongside partners, lawyers and business services teams, Charlotte will lead the next phase of Michelmores’ knowledge, innovation and AI strategy. Her focus will be on transforming how expertise is captured, shared and applied, helping lawyers deliver more consistent advice, collaborate more effectively and create greater value for clients.
The role sits at the intersection of legal expertise, technology and client service. As AI rapidly reshapes the legal profession, Michelmores is investing in the capabilities needed to ensure its lawyers have immediate access to the firm’s collective knowledge, can adopt new technologies with confidence and continue to innovate in the way legal services are delivered.
Charlotte joins from Greenwoods, where she led the knowledge management function, and brings more than a decade of experience as a practising employment lawyer alongside extensive leadership in knowledge, legal technology and organisational transformation.
Michelmores’ Managing Partner, Tim Richards said:
“Knowledge has become one of the Firm’s most strategic assets. The businesses that succeed over the next decade will be those that combine exceptional legal expertise with the ability to learn faster, innovate continuously and harness technology intelligently. Charlotte brings exactly the leadership we need as we continue to evolve how we work with our clients and support our lawyers.”
Charlotte Davies said:
“The legal profession is entering one of the most exciting periods of change in its history. Knowledge, AI and innovation are no longer support functions; they are becoming fundamental to how firms deliver value. I am excited to work with partners, lawyers and colleagues across Michelmores to build new capabilities, accelerate innovation and help shape the way forward at this exciting time of development for the Firm.”
