Director of Artificial Intelligence

Job Description

Founded in 1920, Akerman LLP is one of the country’s premier law firms, with over 700 lawyers across 25 offices in the United States. We pride ourselves on a culture of excellence, collaboration, and forward-thinking innovation, consistently recognized among the nation’s most dynamic legal organizations.

Position Overview
We are seeking a Director of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to lead our firm’s AI strategy, driving the discovery, evaluation, and deployment of AI-powered solutions that transform legal workflows, improve client service, and boost operational efficiency. The ideal candidate is both a visionary and a hands-on leader, able to bridge the gap between cutting-edge technology and practical, impactful applications in the legal industry.

Key Responsibilities

AI Strategy & Innovation

• Develop and implement a firmwide AI roadmap aligned with strategic business objectives.

• Evaluate emerging AI technologies and assess their applicability across various legal practice areas, including litigation, M&A, regulatory, and intellectual property.

• Act as a thought leader in AI adoption and educate stakeholders on AI’s role in the legal sector.

Practice-Specific AI Solutions

• Partner with legal practice groups to design and pilot AI applications tailored to specific workflows (e.g., contract review, due diligence, litigation analytics).

• Build ROI-driven business cases for AI initiatives.

• Support client-facing AI innovation projects.

Automation & Workflow Optimization

• Deploy intelligent automation tools such as document automation, RPA, and NLP solutions.

• Enhance knowledge management systems, document review processes, and client collaboration platforms through AI integration.

Governance & Risk Management

• Define responsible AI use protocols compliant with privacy, ethics, and regulatory standards.

• Collaborate with compliance and security teams to manage risks in AI-driven operations.

Team Leadership & Collaboration

• Build and lead a multidisciplinary AI team, including technologists, legal professionals, and vendors.

• Coordinate with IT, KM, legal operations, and administrative teams to ensure seamless AI integration.

• Provide training and support for AI adoption across the firm.

Qualifications

Required:

• Advanced degree in Computer Science, AI/ML, Legal Informatics, Data Science, or a related field. JD or legal industry experience preferred.

• 10+ years of experience in AI solution development, legal innovation, or technology strategy (preferably in an Am Law 100 firm).

• Strong knowledge of legal workflows, practice management systems, and knowledge management tools.

• Expertise in generative AI, NLP, legal analytics, and automation technologies.

• Exceptional communication skills for both technical and non-technical audiences.

Preferred:

• Hands-on experience with Generative AI APIs (OpenAI, Anthropic, Google Gemini, etc.)

• Familiarity with legal AI platforms (Kira, Harvey, Vincent AI, Co-Counsel, Lexis+ AI)

• Workflow automation tools (Power Automate, UiPath)

• Microsoft 365, iManage, SharePoint, Co-Pilot

Key Attributes:

• Strategic thinker with a track record of execution.

• Strong leadership and emotional intelligence.

• Passion for legal technology and innovation.

Compensation & Benefits:

• Excellent compensation and benefits package.

• Opportunities to work on groundbreaking AI initiatives in the legal industry.

Application:
Please submit your resume, cover letter, and salary requirements. Akerman LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer.