Practice Innovation Lawyer

K&L Gates · Chicago, IL · Today

On-siteLegal$181k–$317k/yrFull-time

Job Summary

The Practice Innovation Lawyer at K&L Gates focuses on implementing innovation, technology, and AI solutions to enhance legal workflows and client service. This role collaborates with lawyers to identify AI opportunities, configure tools, test systems, and ensure successful technology adoption.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with legal professionals to discover opportunities for enhancing workflows and client service through AI-driven advancements.
Translate legal professional needs into practical artificial intelligence use cases, focusing on simplicity and feasibility for immediate application.
Collaborate with the AI Solutions Lead to refine and develop intricate use cases requiring advanced technical expertise and specialized input.
Utilize existing AI tools like Copilot, Legora, CoCounsel, Vincent, and similar platforms to design and implement solutions for identified use cases.
Coordinate with AI developers to design tailored solutions for complex scenarios when existing tools prove inadequate, utilizing platforms such as AI Foundry.
Conduct testing and validate AI solutions to ensure accuracy, compliance, and usability within legal workflows.
Provide training and guidance to legal professionals and staff on implemented AI tools and workflows to ensure effective adoption and utilization.
Document use cases, requirements, and implementation steps to support repeatable processes and knowledge sharing across practice groups.
Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of deployed AI solutions, using key metrics to measure impact, identify improvements, and support planning discussions.
Stay informed and connected to professional networks on emerging AI technologies and legal tech trends to share insights and recommend innovative tools.

Essential Duties

Collaborate with legal professionals to discover opportunities for enhancing workflows and client service through AI-driven advancements.
Translate legal professional needs into practical artificial intelligence use cases, focusing on simplicity and feasibility for immediate application.
Collaborate with the AI Solutions Lead to refine and develop intricate use cases requiring advanced technical expertise and specialized input.
Utilize existing AI tools like Copilot, Legora, CoCounsel, Vincent, and similar platforms to design and implement solutions for identified use cases.
Coordinate with AI developers to design tailored solutions for complex scenarios when existing tools prove inadequate, utilizing platforms such as AI Foundry.
Conduct testing and validate AI solutions to ensure accuracy, compliance, and usability within legal workflows.
Provide training and guidance to legal professionals and staff on implemented AI tools and workflows to ensure effective adoption and utilization.
Document use cases, requirements, and implementation steps to support repeatable processes and knowledge sharing across practice groups.
Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of deployed AI solutions, using key metrics to measure impact, identify improvements, and support planning discussions.
Stay informed and connected to professional networks on emerging AI technologies and legal tech trends to share insights and recommend innovative tools.

Experience & Skills

Hold Juris Doctor (JD) or equivalent law degree; admission to state bar strongly preferred.
Demonstrate understanding of regulatory, privacy, data protection, and professional conduct obligations in legal practice.
Understand product development and solution design principles, including user requirements, testing, and iteration.
Design, develop, and deploy AI use cases tailored to legal workflows and client requirements.
Possess project and program management skills, with the ability to manage and run multiple initiatives and handle competing priorities successfully.
Be proficient with Microsoft 365 and related platforms, including Copilot, Power Platform, PowerPoint, Excel, and Power Automate.
Experience with CoPilot Studio or other Citizen Developer tools strongly preferred.
Possess the ability to define, measure, and evaluate key performance indicators using data-focused methods and analytical approaches.
Show exceptional communication and stakeholder engagement skills, ensuring technical concepts are effectively translated for non-technical audiences.
Adopt a growth mindset while demonstrating sound judgment, discretion, and the ability to navigate complex law firm operations and dynamics.
Have 4+ years’ experience as a practicing lawyer, legal operations professional, or in a comparable law firm role. Practice experience strongly preferred.
Show experience deploying legal technology, AI tools, or workflow automation within professional services settings.

About the Firm

K&L Gates is a fully integrated global law firm with lawyers located across five continents in more than 40 offices. We have experienced dramatic growth in the past decade and now rank among the largest U.S. based law firms in the world. We take pride in constantly striving for innovation, imagination, and an entrepreneurial spirit. We come up with big ideas and then roll up our sleeves to get the job done, guiding our clients through their most complex issues in a variety of industry sectors and across multiple regions of the world. The industry recognition the firm has garnered emanates from the foundation of a global community aligned on behalf of our clients. The people at K&L Gates are committed to working together to create a legacy for each other, the firm, our clients, and the communities in which we serve. We thrive in an inclusive and socially conscious environment that embraces diversity and takes a holistic approach to the career evolution of all our professionals.

Benefits

Medical/Prescription Drug Coverage (including a Health Savings Account feature)
Pre-tax Commuting Benefits
Dental Insurance
Business Travel Accident Insurance
Vision Insurance
Pet Insurance
401(k) Retirement plan
Health Advocacy Services
Short- and Long-term Disability Protection
Identity Protection/Restoration and Fraud Insurance
Life Insurance (including Basic, Supplemental, Spouse, Child, and Accidental Death and Dismemberment)
Student loan refinancing options and access to a student loan concierge service
Paid Time Off (Generally, paid time off is undefined with 3-4 weeks usually acceptable)
Addiction Resources
Parental Leave (24 weeks of which 12 are paid; short-term disability may provide additional paid time off)
Breast Milk Delivery and Lactation Support Services
Paid Holidays (12)
Employees also may be eligible to receive bonuses and certain expense reimbursements
Family Building Benefits
Pro Bono Opportunities
Flexible Spending Accounts
Professional Development and CLE Credit Opportunities
Employee Assistance Program
Bar Expense Reimbursement
529 Deductions
Relocation Accident Insurance
Balanced Hours Program
Critical Illness Insurance
Ramp-Up/Ramp-Down Program
Hospital Indemnity Insurance
Employee Referral Program
Bereavement Leave
Hybrid/Remote Work Opportunities
Back-up Child/Elder Care and access to a caregiving concierge
Perks including: Technology, Entertainment, and Travel Discount Program
Wellness Program
All other benefits (such as leaves of absence) required by law

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Firm is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of the Firm that employment decisions shall be based on merit, qualifications and competence. Employment practices will not be influenced or affected by virtue of a person’s race (including traits associated with race, including hair texture and protective hairstyles such as afros, braids, locks, and twists), religion, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, gender, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, familial status, domestic violence victim status, military and veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. This policy governs all aspects of employment including, without limitation, recruiting, hiring, compensation, benefits, promotion, assignment, and dismissal. In addition, it is the Firm’s policy to provide an environment that is free of prohibited harassment of any kind including, without limitation, that which is based on sex, race, age, disability, ethnic background, or any other category protected by law (including the categories listed above). The Firm complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please contact askHR@klgates.com .