Director, Practice Solutions & Innovation

Paul Hastings; New York (NY); On-site; USD 240,000 - 360,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

Flexible Spending Accounts

Prepaid Legal Insurance

401(k) Plan & Profit Sharing

Paid Holidays & PTO

Wellbeing programs

Job summary

Paul Hastings is seeking a Director of Practice Solutions & Innovation to drive the firm’s technology and AI strategy across all practice areas. You will lead AI and litigation support teams, set adoption goals, and partner with information security, GCs, and IT to deploy tools responsibly.

The role requires senior legal tech experience and strong leadership. The position reports to the Chief Innovation Officer and involves occasional travel, with a competitive compensation package and

Qualifications

• Law degree and current bar admission in the jurisdiction of Firm office (preferred).
• Experience as a practicing attorney (preferred).
• Demonstrated experience implementing legal practice technology solutions in a legal or professional services environment.
• At least 8 years in a similar role at a top-tier law firm or professional services entity (preferred).
• At least 5 years of manager/director-level experience.

Responsibilities

• Set and implement the Firm’s strategy for practice technologies and AI governance.
• Lead delivery of the applied AI roadmap and adoption of new technologies.
• Manage multiple teams across Practice Solutions, AI, and Discovery.
• Collaborate with security, legal, risk, and IT on responsible tool deployment.
• Engage with partners and clients on technology strategy and capabilities.

Skills

Self-starter

Leadership

Project management

Communication skills

English proficiency

Education

Law degree

Bar admission

Tools

Harvey/Legora

ediscovery

case management

document management

LLM-based apps

Job description

• Occasional travel required.

Paul Hastings is a leading international law firm that provides innovative legal solutions to many of the world's top financial institutions and Fortune Global 500 companies. With a strong presence throughout the U.S., Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East, we have the global reach and extensive capabilities to provide personalized service wherever our clients’ needs take us. As one of the world’s leading law firms, we seek dynamic individuals who share our commitment to service, innovation, and professional growth.

Job Title

Director, Practice Solutions & Innovation

Location

Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, New York, Washington, D.C.

Regular/Temporary

Regular

Job Description Summary

We have an opening for a Director, Practice Solutions & Innovation. The Director, Practice Solutions and Innovation is responsible for driving the implementation of the Firm's practice technology and services strategies, including the application of AI to legal workflows. Reporting to the Chief Innovation Officer, the Director sets and executes the Firm’s practice technology roadmap on a firm-wide basis. The Director leads multiple teams, including AI & Practice Solutions, Practice Support, and the Discovery team. This role requires substantial senior-level experience implementing legal practice technology in a top-tier law firm or comparable professional services environment.

Job Description

In this capacity, the Director, Practice Solutions & Innovation will:

• Set and implement the Firm’s strategy for practice technologies:
  • Implement the Firm’s overall Practice Innovation strategy, including establishing and setting Firm, department and individual contributor goals to deliver on overall strategic objectives;
  • Identify, implement, and drive adoption of practice technologies, including document and workflow automation, data extraction, large language models / generative AI technology, and other low-code, no-code technologies;
  • Lead delivery of the applied AI roadmap, including identifying, prioritizing, and sequencing deployment of use cases with available technology;
  • Create and roll-out marketing and educational programs for attorneys and staff on available practice technologies;
  • Establish and report on adoption, usage, tool performance, and client value insights; and
  • Assess and evaluate external vendors and technologies.
• Drive strategy for and oversee implementation of litigation services, which includes supervision of Discovery Attorney team; Litigation Technology and Practice Support team;
• Lead and manage the AI and Practice Solutions team across all Firm practice areas, establishing clear expectations for high performance, providing guidance and clarity when required, particularly when navigating internal processes;
• Partner with leaders of Information Security, Office of General Counsel, Enterprise Risk, and Information Technology on the responsible and integrated deployment of practice tools, including AI governance;
• Serve as a point of contact for partners, practice group and department leaders, and clients on technology and AI strategy and capabilities through meetings or proposals;
• Communicate with third-party vendors to foster strong relationships and an ongoing information exchange related to new and existing products and services;
• Negotiate with vendors on practice technology needs and consumption; liaise between third-party vendors, the Firm’s IT Department, and end-users such as the Firm’s attorneys and clients, and the Practice Innovation Attorneys, to keep all parties regularly updated on the status of various practice technology projects;
• Handle other duties as assigned; and
• Occasional travel required.

Proficiencies

• Self-starter who is able to implement a vision with a demonstrable track record of success, by leading multiple teams and Firm-wide initiatives while building relationships across the Firm;
• Expert knowledge of practice technology and general legal systems such as Harvey/Legora, ediscovery, case management, document management, research; advanced knowledge and proficiency in standard law firm applications and LLM-based applications;
• Advanced knowledge of the workflows and the core needs of practicing lawyers;
• Ability to appreciate and implement local variations to the global Practice Innovation strategy, including regulatory and client requirements;
• Demonstrate knowledge of both the business and practice of law;
• Demonstrate drive, perseverance and tenacity to implement and improve the Firm’s Practice Innovation strategy;
• Identify new areas of opportunity to solve business challenges and improve client service;
• Strong leadership, project management, change management and communication skills. Team player;
• Excellent organizational skills with a strong attention to detail; and
• Excellent English written and oral communication skills.

Qualifications

• Law degree and current bar admission in the jurisdiction of Firm office (preferred);
• Experience as a practicing attorney (preferred);
• Demonstrated experience in implementing legal practice technology solutions in a legal, professional services, or product environment;
• At least 8 years’ experience working in a similar role in a top tier law firm, at a technology vendor, or other professional services entity. (Law firm experience is highly preferred.);
• At least 15 years’ experience working in either a top tier law firm, corporate legal operations, alternative legal services provider, or other professional services entity (preferred); and
• At least 5 years of manager/director-level experience.

The salary wage range for Boston that we expect to pay for this position is a minimum of $240,000 and a maximum of $360,000 annually. The actual pay wage may vary based on experience or other relevant factors.

The salary wage range for Washington, DC that we expect to pay for this position is a minimum of $225,000 and a maximum of $330,000 annually. The actual pay wage may vary based on experience or other relevant factors.

The salary wage range for New York that we expect to pay for this position is a minimum of $240,000 and a maximum of $360,000 annually. The actual pay wage may vary based on experience or other relevant factors.

Employees will be provided with an excellent career opportunity in a collaborative environment, in addition to a generous total compensation package with the opportunity to earn bonuses based on individual contribution and firm profitability.

The actual salary offered will depend on a variety of factors, including without limitation, the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and if applicable, the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job. This role is exempt meaning it is not overtime pay eligible.

Eligible employees can participate in the Firm’s comprehensive benefits program, which include the following:

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life/AD&D, Long Term Care, and Short- and Long-Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Account
• Healthcare Concierge and Advocacy
• Lifestyle Spending Account
• Voluntary 401(k) Plan and Profit Sharing
• 10 Paid Holidays per year and a generous PTO Program
• Family Support including Paid Parental Leave, Fertility Benefits, Breast Milk Shipping, Back-up Child Care, Elder Care, and Tutoring
• Wellbeing programs (Employee Assistance Program, Relationship Support, Mental Health, Menopause and Midlife Health and Well-Being Events)
• Retirement Plan Consulting
• Anniversary Bonus Program
• Professional Development Programs
• Transportation and Commuter Benefits
• International Travel Insurance
• Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Accident Insurance
• Auto/Home/Pet Insurance
• Prepaid Legal Insurance
• Employee Discounts
• And More!

The Firm fosters an open and inclusive work environment that enables us to provide clients with the innovative thinking of teams rich in talent, experience and creativity. We regularly host programs intended to increase cultural competencies and address key topics related to community, opportunity and inclusion. Learn more about our Global Inclusion initiatives here: Global Inclusion

Paul Hastings is an equal opportunity employer. Pursuant to applicable local law, we will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the relevant fair chance ordinance. With respect to candidates for employment in Massachusetts, it is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. Although Paul Hastings does not use a lie detector test in its typical application process, an employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.