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The Associate Director - Applied AI Lab, Innovation and AI plays a pivotal role in supporting the Firm's strategic objectives relating to AI, innovation and legal technology. This role significantly contributes to setting the strategic direction of the Firm's AI capabilities, leaning on a wealth of expertise in AI systems architecture, software development, legal technology, and innovation initiatives. As part of the leadership team for Innovation and AI, the Associate Director brings sound technical and commercial recommendations that lead to impactful business decisions. Whether serving in a managerial capacity or as an individual contributor, this role is pivotal for developing and implementing key AI and innovation initiatives across practice groups, client matters and firm-wide operations.
The roles and responsibilities of this job include:
Serves as technical lead for the Firm's AI Lab, overseeing the design, development, testing and deployment of AI tools, models and infrastructure, and providing authoritative technical direction to the team.
Contributes to the development and execution of Firm-wide innovation and AI strategic initiatives, supporting long-term planning, governance and management goals for built, bought and partnered AI solutions.
Provides expert technical and strategic consultation to lawyers, legal staff and senior leadership on the application of AI, automation and emerging technologies to legal practice, including contract management, transaction management and workflow optimisation.
Architects and develops technical solutions within the AI Lab, including scripting, coding and configuring AI systems and IT infrastructure, leveraging protocols and frameworks such as Model Context Protocol (MCP) and related agentic technologies.
Leads rigorous evaluation and testing of AI tools, platforms and vendors, providing technical and commercial recommendations to senior leadership and ensuring solutions meet the Firm's security, performance and scalability requirements.
Champions the introduction and adoption of new AI and technology solutions across matter teams and practice groups, identifying high-impact use cases and working with stakeholders at all levels to drive sustainable change.
Takes senior accountability for the operational delivery of the AI Lab's programmes and client-facing initiatives, ensuring effective AI governance, quality outcomes and alignment with the Firm's strategic objectives.
Analyses performance data, usage metrics and technical outputs from AI systems to generate insights, drive continuous improvement and inform strategic decision-making by the Director of Innovation and AI and the Chief Innovation Officer.
Collaborates closely with business services, technology, procurement, Firm Governance teams and external partners to ensure seamless integration of AI and technology solutions, maintaining a forward-looking pipeline of innovation opportunities aligned to the Firm's strategic priorities.
Manages and develops a multidisciplinary team of legal engineers, fostering a collaborative, innovative and high-performing team culture and providing visible leadership with direct and matrix leadership responsibilities.
Performs additional responsibilities as required to support the Firm's innovation and AI agenda, including supporting the Firm's AI governance coordination for built, bought and partnered AI solutions.
Ability to travel domestically and internationally
Required skills and experience
A law degree or equivalent legal qualification is preferred; a degree in, or practical experience with, computer science, software engineering, information technology, or a related technical discipline will also be considered / beneficial. A combination of legal and technical qualifications is strongly desirable.
12+ years of cross-functional experience across law, innovation, technology, or AI-related roles, with a significant portion spent in or closely supporting a legal or professional services environment.
Demonstrated technical expertise in AI systems architecture, software development and IDEs and associated best practices, scripting (e.g. Python, JavaScript, or similar), IT infrastructure, and emerging agentic AI frameworks including Model Context Protocol (MCP), agentic AI technologies and best practices, and related orchestration technologies.
Deep expertise in leading, assessing, and deploying legal technology and AI solutions, including generative AI platforms, large language model (LLM) applications.
Strong understanding of legal practice workflows, with the ability to translate operational requirements into technical specifications and build or configure solutions that deliver measurable improvements.
Advanced proficiency in standard business applications (Microsoft 365 suite), as well as familiarity with cloud platforms (e.g. Microsoft Azure, AWS) and AI/ML development environments.
Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts clearly to senior partners, business leaders, the Director of Innovation and AI, and the Chief Innovation Officer, and to operate as a trusted adviser bridging technology and legal practice.
Highly developed diplomacy skills, with demonstrated ability to build consensus, foster collaboration, and drive cross-functional, global teams across multiple time zones and jurisdictions through difficult and ambiguous problem spaces to successful deadline-driven outcomes.
Demonstrated project and programme management expertise, including the ability to lead and deliver complex technical and innovation projects within matrixed, hierarchical and non-hierarchical environments at pace.
In-depth knowledge of the rapidly evolving AI and legal technology landscape, including generative AI, agentic systems, LLM fine-tuning, and responsible AI governance, with a genuine commitment to keeping the firm at the forefront of innovation.
Strong independent judgment and the ability to make confident technical and strategic recommendations, with clear awareness of when matters require escalation to the Director of Innovation and AI or Chief Innovation Officer.
Proven ability to lead, coach, and develop a growing technically skilled team, with a focus on building capability, supporting career development, and maintaining high standards of performance across the AI Lab.
What We Offer
At White & Case, you can make a real difference, work on cutting-edge matters that make the headlines and help shape the world we live in. We live by our values to be pioneering, united and human and we believe that you will experience them from your first day. We will give you the support and training that will help you achieve your potential.
We believe that consistent high performance merits reward and support. Our compensation package reflects your calibre as a member of our market leading Innovation & AI team and our benefits are designed to support your changing needs and priorities across different life stages.
We offer high-quality, internationally oriented work on the most challenging matters and an opportunity to work as part of a truly global organisation.
Location
This role is based in our London office.
Our standard office hours are 09:30-18:00, with a current requirement for 4 days (Monday - Thursday) in the office per week.
Firm Benefits
We offer a flexible range of benefits, services and programmes designed to help support your lifestyle requirements. Some of the benefits currently available include:
· Private medical insurance
· Pension plan with matched employer contribution up to 7.5%
· Yearly wellbeing fund
· Income protection
· Holiday purchase
· Life insurance
· Critical illness insurance
· Private GP services
· Travel insurance
· Dental coverage
· Cycle to work
· Holiday purchase (available during annual enrolment)
This role reports to
Director, Innovation and AIEqual Opportunities
White & Case is committed to creating a fair workplace. It is our Firm’s policy to recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote without regard to race, religion, creed, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, military or veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other category protected by applicable law.
If you require assistance and/or adjustment to participate in our application and/or interview process, please email us. We will be happy to work with you.
The Firm may modify and amend any job description at any time in its sole discretion. Nothing herein creates a contract of employment or otherwise modifies the at-will nature of employment.
The above is only a general description of the essential duties associated with this position and does not represent an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all duties.
Note to Recruitment Agencies
Our internal Recruitment team manages all aspects of lateral hiring. All agencies must have signed terms of business—specific to the relevant office—before submitting any candidates. CVs or applications sent directly to White & Case partners or employees will also not be considered formal introductions. If you have questions, please contact the relevant Recruitment team. We work with our preferred suppliers when engaging agencies.