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About the Role

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.

Responsibilities

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.

Requirements

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.
Ability to travel domestically and internationally

Skills

AI systems architecture
Software development
Legal technology
Innovation initiatives
Scripting (Python, JavaScript, or similar)
IT infrastructure
Agentic AI frameworks
Model Context Protocol (MCP)
Generative AI platforms
Large language model (LLM) applications
Microsoft 365 suite
Cloud platforms (Microsoft Azure, AWS)
AI/ML development environments
Project management
Programme management

Location

London

Work Type

Hybrid

Experience Level

12+ years of cross-functional experience

Education Level

Law degree or equivalent legal qualification preferred
Degree in, or practical experience with, computer science, software engineering, information technology, or a related technical discipline
Combination of legal and technical qualifications strongly desirable

Benefits

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

About the Company

Our Practice Solutions team leads the Firm’s innovation initiatives, supporting our lawyers in client delivery excellence.
The team has deep expertise in working with established and emerging technologies, data analytics and data science, knowledge solutions and process re-engineering.
The Practice Solutions team works with our lawyers to identify innovative solutions to support our clients.
Through fostering a Firmwide culture of innovation, we encourage our lawyers to think creatively about how to deliver the best value to our clients and we ensure that White & Case remains at the forefront of advancements in the legal industry.
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.

Equal Opportunity

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.