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Big Law Expands Artificial Intelligence Roles to Stay Competitive

By  |  December 9, 2025

Major law firms are racing to adapt to rapid developments in artificial intelligence, bringing in new leaders to manage emerging technologies and help lawyers incorporate AI into their legal work, according to Reuters.

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    Ropes & Gray said on Thursday that it hired Gretchen Greene as its first chief of AI strategy, per Reuters. Greene, who previously worked at the firm as an associate, most recently led AI adoption for policy and legal teams at Meta Platforms. She is both a lawyer and an AI researcher with machine learning expertise. According to Reuters, her role will involve collaborating with the firm’s chief information officer to direct AI planning and create business value for clients. She was not immediately available for comment, and Meta did not respond to a request for comment regarding her departure.

    The acceleration of generative AI since late 2022 has pushed many large law firms to create new executive positions focused on technology governance. These tools have the potential to speed up legal tasks such as drafting and research, potentially reshaping junior associate work, according to Reuters.

    Other firms are making similar moves. Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer recently appointed Ilona Logvinova as its global chief AI officer. Earlier in the year, Husch Blackwell recruited Michael Yang from Adobe, and Fisher Phillips hired former Walmart leader Pritesh Patel to bolster their AI capabilities. Meanwhile, Linklaters announced it has formed a 20-lawyer group dedicated to applying AI across its practices.

    Ropes & Gray is also encouraging younger attorneys to expand their skills. The firm recently introduced a program allowing first-year associates to spend up to 20% of billable-hour requirements on AI training and simulations. The initiative is a “deliberate investment” in professional development that aims to keep pace with technological change without cutting into productivity expectations, the firm previously told Reuters.

    As the legal sector experiments with automation and analytics, top firms appear determined to position themselves on the leading edge of the AI boom—both to serve their clients more efficiently and to remain competitive in a rapidly changing industry.

    Source: Reuters