Practice Innovation Lawyer – Transactions

Baker McKenzie; Los Angeles, California (CA, MO); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global law firm is seeking a Practice Innovation Lawyer for Transactions. This role is pivotal in transforming how the firm delivers value to clients by integrating legal expertise with innovative technology solutions. Responsibilities include leading innovation projects, collaborating with practice leadership, and driving the adoption of AI and legal tech tools. Ideal candidates must possess a strong legal background, project management skills, and an interest in legal innovation. The position offers a dynamic working environment within a diverse team.

Qualifications

• Strong experience in private practice or in-house legal teams in Transactions.
• Interest or experience in legal innovation and tech.
• Hands-on experience designing legal workflows.
• Hands-on experience designing, testing, or implementing legal AI workflows.
• Proven project management capabilities and comfort leading cross-functional teams.
• Experience dealing with clients or senior in-house stakeholders directly.
• Strategic thinker with attention to detail and a hands-on approach.
• Strong understanding of process improvement, client experience design, and design thinking methodologies.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, evolving environment.

Responsibilities

• Identify and deliver strategic innovation initiatives.
• Design solutions using people, process, and technology.
• Drive culture change through targeted training.
• Be client-facing and support Partners in your Practice on client pitches and in client conversations.
• Report to practice group leadership on the progress of innovation initiatives within the Practice.
• Champion adoption of AI and legal tech tools through hands-on pilots and proof-of-concepts.
• Build and optimise Practice Group relevant legal workflows for enhanced client service.
• Drive sustainable culture change through targeted training and stakeholder engagement.
• Monitor adoption metrics and iterate based on feedback and outcomes.
• Share insights and best practice across the global Practice Innovation network.
• Be a connector across teams within the Firm.
• Be visible within the market as an innovation leader at Baker McKenzie.

Skills

Legal innovation expertise

Knowledge of GenAI tools

Project management

Client relationship management

Process improvement design thinking

Communication skills

Collaboration and influence

Problem-solving

Education

Qualified lawyer

Experience in Transactions

Tools

GenAI tools (e.g., Copilot Studio, ChatGPT)

ChatGPT Enterprise

Gemini

Claude

Job description

Practice Innovation Lawyer – Transactions

Join to apply for the Practice Innovation Lawyer – Transactions role at Baker McKenzie

This role can be based in any Baker McKenzie office or Centre.

The Practice Innovation Lawyer – Transactions will be at the forefront of transforming how one of the world’s leading law firms delivers value to clients. The role‑holder will combine their relevant legal expertise with an ability to innovate the practice of law using cutting‑edge technology and an advanced understanding of process and design to advance the strategy of the Firm’s practices.

The role‑holder will join a forward‑thinking Practice Innovation team, part of Baker McKenzie’s Reinvent programme, embedded in the Transactions Practice Group. They will work directly with our global practice group leadership team to identify, develop, and implement innovation initiatives that enhance legal service delivery and client experience.

The individual will lead innovation projects across the Transactions Practice Group, working closely with Practice Group leadership on strategy, with the Practice’s lawyers and clients, and with cross‑functional teams across the Firm, to design and deliver innovation on the ground. They will also contribute to the broader goals of Reinvent, sharing insights, driving adoption of new tools, and fostering a culture of continuous innovation.

Main responsibilities:

• Partner with the Transactions Practice Group leadership team to identify, prioritise and deliver strategic innovation initiatives
• Work with the Practice Group to design solutions that combine people, process, data, and technology to create new client value
• Act as the "single front door" for your Practice’s lawyers to access the Applied AI, Legal Project Management (LPM), Alternative Legal Services (ALS), Data, Innovation, and other support resources available to them across the Firm
• Be client‑facing and support Partners in your Practice on client pitches and in client conversations
• Report to practice group leadership on the progress of innovation initiatives within the Practice
• Champion adoption of AI and legal tech tools through hands‑on pilots and proof‑of‑concepts
• Build and optimise Practice Group relevant legal workflows for enhanced client service

Change Management & Adoption:

• Drive sustainable culture change in your Practice through targeted training and stakeholder engagement
• Monitor adoption metrics and iterate based on feedback and outcomes

Collaboration & Thought Leadership:

• Share insights and best practice across the global Practice Innovation network
• Be a connector across teams within the Firm
• Be visible within the market as an innovation leader at Baker McKenzie

About the team

Function: Our Operations function supports and manages the Firm’s day‑to‑day operations, providing expert and in‑market support regarding office management, office services and facilities, real estate management, risk management, and secretarial and administrative services.

Team: The Practice Innovation team is a global, multi‑disciplinary team and we draw on our diverse backgrounds and global reach to solve complex problems and improve outcomes for our people and clients. The team has been evolving an approach to innovation that is tailored to the Firm’s culture and structures for around ten years. It is a diverse group of strategic, empathetic thinkers who share a passion for improving the client experience through creative problem‑solving.

Skills and experience:

• Qualified lawyer with strong experience in private practice or in‑house legal teams in Transactions
• Demonstrated interest or experience in legal innovation, legal tech, or process improvement
• Working knowledge of at least some of the leading GenAI tools (e.g., Copilot Studio, ChatGPT Enterprise, Gemini, Claude, and legal‑specific equivalents) and their application in legal contexts
• Hands‑on experience designing, testing, or implementing legal AI workflows
• Proven project management capabilities and comfort leading cross‑functional teams
• Experience dealing with clients or senior in‑house stakeholders directly
• Strategic thinker with attention to detail and a hands‑on approach
• Strong understanding of process improvement, client experience design, and design thinking methodologies
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Comfortable working in a fast‑paced, evolving environment
• Collaborative mindset and able to influence across teams
• Strong time management, decision‑making, and problem‑solving abilities
• Self‑motivated and outcome‑focused

Reports to: Chief Innovation Officer

Position type: Specialist

Development framework: Director

About us

At Baker McKenzie we are different in the way we think, work and behave. With our team of 13,000 people, including over 6,500 locally admitted lawyers, in over 70 offices worldwide, we have a passionately collaborative community of 60 nationalities and are committed to world‑class career development to everyone in every job at every level. Baker McKenzie can offer you both the uncompromising commitment to excellence expected of a top firm paired with a passionately global and genuinely collaborative working environment.

Additional Information

Baker McKenzie is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to promoting diversity and inclusion for all. Our unique international culture is reflected in the drawing together of a worldwide family of individuals from diverse cultures and backgrounds in all of our offices. We encourage the best people—regardless of race, religion or belief if any, gender, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation or age—to fulfill their professional aspirations with us. We are committed to ensuring an inclusive and accessible experience for all candidates.
Should candidates require any reasonable adjustments and/or accommodations when applying to or interviewing with our Firm, please notify [e-mail].

For applicants based in California, we will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories (arrest and conviction records), in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws.

For Canadian based applicants, this position is bonus eligible and includes benefits such as medical, dental, vision, and Group RRSP, based on the number of hours worked. The Canadian base compensation for this position is expected to be CAN$205,400 to CAN$229,930 (annually) if located in Toronto.

We encourage applications from individuals of all abilities and backgrounds. If you require accommodations at any stage of the application or interview process, please contact us at [e-mail] and we will work with you toward reasonably accommodating your needs.