Hogan Lovells Cadwalader onboards both Harvey and Legora to start next phase of AI strategy

Hogan Lovells Cadwalader has unveiled a comprehensive firmwide AI strategy and new AI governance structure.

The firm has signed agreements with both Harvey and Legora.

Commenting on this, Miguel Zaldivar, CEO of Hogan Lovells Cadwalader, said,

"There is no single AI solution that will meet every need of a modern global law firm. Harvey and Legora have been providing our lawyers with access to market-leading capabilities that enhance productivity and support client service across a wide range of legal tasks. At the same time, ELTEMATE will continue to develop proprietary tools, workflows, and client-facing solutions that reflect our unique expertise. Our strategy is to combine the best technology available with innovations we build ourselves, ensuring we remain agile, differentiated, and focused on the needs of our clients."

The firm has appointed Paul Otto as Managing Partner – Legal Technology and AI. Otto is a partner in the firm's Global Regulatory practice, based in Washington, D.C., and a leading advisor on AI, cybersecurity, data, technology, and digital risk. He advises major organisations on emerging technologies and is part of the firm's Future of Digitalisation core team.

Oliver Campbell has been appointed Chief Transformation Officer. He has been with the firm for six years and previously worked in capital markets.  He has spent 15 years helping law firms modernize legal and business services.

The Firm is also creating a new AI Board to evaluate ideas developed across the firm’s practice groups and sectors and assess opportunities to use AI to enhance legal service delivery. It will decide whether solutions should be built internally or sourced externally, allocate resources accordingly, and oversee their development and deployment.  

Zaldivar commented,

"AI is already transforming the way legal services are delivered, and we want to continue to be at the forefront of that change. These appointments, and our new AI Board, create the leadership, governance, and accountability needed to move quickly, make the right investment decisions, and ensure our AI strategy remains closely aligned to the needs of our clients and our firm."

The firm has also created a new Commercial Unit and announced that Bill Ferreira will serve as Managing Partner – Commercial Unit and Client Delivery.

The Commercial Unit will focus on pricing, legal project management, pitching, and client delivery as the firm evolves its commercial approach and uses emerging technology, including AI, to create greater long-term value for clients.

Ferreira has established a leading practice at Hogan Lovells Cadwalader in government grants and international projects, advising companies and the world’s top universities and hospitals on U.S. and international projects.  He is the Practice Area Leader for the firm’s global Government Contracts & Higher Education practice and will continue in that role.

Zaldivar shared,

"Clients increasingly expect their law firms to deliver not only outstanding legal advice, but also greater transparency, efficiency, and commercial rigor. Our new Commercial Unit will bring together the capabilities needed to help us price, manage, and deliver matters more effectively, while making the most of emerging technologies, including AI, to create sustainable value for our clients.

"The strength of our business, our continued growth, and the increased scale created by our merger enable us to invest in AI, technology, and innovation from a position of strength.  We are doing so while remaining true to our partnership model, retaining full control of our strategic direction, and making long-term decisions based on what is right for our clients and our people.  That combination of ambition, investment, and independence gives us a powerful platform for future growth."

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