At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead AI and legal tech innovation, driving impactful change in a collaborative environment.
- Company: Join Bates Wells, an award-winning law firm committed to purpose and inclusivity.
- Benefits: Enjoy a supportive culture, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team focused on innovation and positive impact.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in legal tech while championing ethical AI practices.
- Qualifications: Qualified lawyer or legal knowledge expert with a passion for technology.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
This job is with Bates Wells, an inclusive employer and a member of myGwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community.
Why Bates Wells? We’re an award-winning, purpose-driven City law firm. We were the first UK law firm to become a B Corp and are the highest scoring global law firm in the B Corp community. Globally recognised as the market-leading UK firm for charities and purpose-driven organisations, our commercial teams are also using law as a force for good and driving change from the inside out. Our values are key to our success, and you’ll be able to make a real impact from day one. Come and join the firm who have a standout and authentic commitment to a triple bottom line, where we’ll never prioritise profit over people and planet.
The Role: A strategically critical, cross-functional role combining strategic thinking with hands-on delivery. You will act as the single accountable owner, working with senior members of our IT team, for the end-to-end development, testing and implementation of AI and legal tech use cases, alongside leading our firm-wide knowledge strategy and systems. Core focuses are to accelerate the practical and responsible adoption of AI and legal tech in legal service delivery, and reinvigorate knowledge management so it is consistently high quality, relevant, easy to access and embedded into everyday workflows. You will collaborate closely with stakeholders across the practice and Business Team, particularly IT, to drive innovation, efficiency and client value.
Key Responsibilities
- AI, innovation and legal technology: Work collaboratively with the practice and business team to develop and deliver a firm-wide legal tech and AI strategy, balancing experimentation with robust governance, including contributing to a cross-functional AI Steering Group.
- Identify, prioritise and manage AI and automation use cases aligned to client value, efficiency, quality and risk management in legal service delivery.
- Lead pilots for technology-assisted legal documents and processes, building business cases and recommendations for scale and impact.
- Develop and evolve confident client messaging on our use of AI.
- Contribute to thoughtful consideration of return on investment, pricing and profitability.
- Championing adoption and supporting evolving capability: Work with the practice, IT Training and User Engagement Manager, and Standards and Audit Manager to champion effective use of knowledge, AI and legal tech tools (existing and future), driving adoption and value.
- Contribute to training and guidance that supports lawyers to adopt and evolve new ways of working while maintaining professional standards.
- Firm-wide knowledge strategy: Work with Heads of Department, Knowledge Lawyers/Champions and Business Team colleagues to develop and deliver a firm-wide knowledge strategy, including legal knowhow, training, sector insights, scopes, credentials and resources.
- Establish and maintain data quality, relevance and governance standards, recognising that effective KM and AI depend on high-quality, up-to-date content.
- Take an evidence-based approach to knowledge management across teams, recognising differing needs across practice areas.
- Strengthen the connection between knowledge, legal delivery and BD/CRM activity, and make recommendations for market-facing innovation.
- Review and lead the Knowledge Champions group, including agenda setting and chairing meetings.
- Provide senior leadership, coordination and development of Knowledge Lawyer roles and the Standards and Audit Manager (via dotted reporting lines).
- Knowledge systems: Work with the practice and IT team to improve knowledge sharing processes, enabling fast, intuitive access to a high-quality knowledge repository.
- Act as joint project owner for a new centralised KM system (requirements gathering, vendor selection, content migration, rollout and adoption).
- Explore opportunities to embed knowledge into systems lawyers use day to day to increase engagement and knowledge sharing.
Essential About You
- Qualified lawyer with significant experience in practice, or a strong legal knowledge management background.
- Senior experience in a commercial law firm or equivalent professional services environment.
- Genuine passion for and expertise in legal technology and AI in a regulated context.
- Understanding of emerging legal technologies and their practical application.
- Experience managing the full lifecycle of innovation, from idea and business case through to pilot, production and adoption.
- Experience working with generative AI tools and delivering real AI and automation use cases.
- Experience applying AI governance and ethical standards, including risk assessment and compliance considerations.
- Strong understanding of data quality, data structures and data governance.
- Experience working with IT teams to ensure integration with systems, security and data protection standards.
- Collaborative working style with the ability to understand how lawyers work in practice.
- Strategic mindset with the ability to develop and deliver long-term knowledge and innovation strategy.
- Sound judgement, pragmatism and commercial awareness, focused on value creation.
- Strong influencing skills with the confidence to engage partners and junior lawyers alike.
- Experience leading organisational change and driving adoption of new systems and tools.
- Ability to build relationships quickly and work autonomously with key stakeholders.
- Strong analytical, solution-focused approach and ability to operate in an environment of experimentation and continuous improvement.
- Clear and persuasive communicator able to simplify complex concepts.
- Understanding of changing client needs and ability to develop innovative client-facing solutions.
Desirable
- Experience leading complex cross-functional projects, including KM systems or major tech transformation.
- Strong understanding of the business model of a modern law firm or similar professional services environment.
Senior AI & Legal Tech Innovation Leader employer: myGwork - LGBTQ+ Business Community
Bates Wells is an award-winning, purpose-driven City law firm that prioritises people and the planet over profit, making it an exceptional employer for those seeking meaningful work. With a strong commitment to innovation in legal technology and a collaborative work culture, employees are empowered to make a real impact from day one while benefiting from extensive growth opportunities and a supportive environment. As the first UK law firm to become a B Corp, Bates Wells stands out for its dedication to social responsibility and inclusivity, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community.
Contact Details:
myGwork - LGBTQ+ Business Community Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior AI & Legal Tech Innovation Leader
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the legal tech and AI space. Attend industry events, webinars, or even local meetups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or a personal website showcasing your projects and achievements in AI and legal tech. This is your chance to demonstrate your expertise and passion, making you stand out to potential employers.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching Bates Wells and their values. Understand their commitment to using law as a force for good and think about how your experience aligns with their mission. Tailor your responses to show you’re not just a fit for the role, but for the firm’s culture too.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the team at Bates Wells.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior AI & Legal Tech Innovation Leader
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for AI and Legal Tech:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for AI and legal tech shine through! We want to see how your experience aligns with our mission to drive innovation in legal services. Share specific examples of how you've used technology to make a difference.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to reflect the values and goals of Bates Wells. Highlight your understanding of our commitment to using law as a force for good and how you can contribute to our triple bottom line approach. This will show us that you're not just looking for any job, but that you genuinely want to be part of our team.
Be Clear and Concise:We appreciate clarity! When detailing your experience and skills, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to see your qualifications at a glance. Remember, we’re looking for someone who can communicate complex ideas simply.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows us that you’re proactive and keen to join our innovative team.
How to prepare for a job interview at myGwork - LGBTQ+ Business Community
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest trends in AI and legal tech. Bates Wells is looking for someone who can not only talk the talk but also walk the walk. Familiarise yourself with their current projects and think about how your experience aligns with their goals.
✨Show Your Passion
Bates Wells values a genuine passion for legal technology and innovation. Be prepared to share specific examples of how you've driven change in previous roles, especially in relation to AI and knowledge management. This will show them that you're not just interested in the role, but in making a real impact.
✨Collaborative Mindset
This role requires working closely with various teams, so highlight your collaborative skills. Think of examples where you've successfully worked with cross-functional teams to implement new technologies or strategies. This will demonstrate that you can thrive in their inclusive environment.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions about their current AI initiatives and knowledge management strategies. This shows that you're not only interested in the position but also in how you can contribute to their mission of using law as a force for good.
