Creating an innovation culture: legal AI in practice

Shilpa Bhandarkar is a leading adviser on AI strategy and innovation, with over 20 years of experience at the intersection of law, technology, and business transformation. Until recently, she was a Partner at Linklaters, where she led the Client Tech & AI team and co-chaired the firm’s Generative AI and Innovation Steering Groups. In these roles, she oversaw the adoption of emerging technologies and helped build the foundation for an AI-enabled global legal practice.

Uniquely, she brings hands-on product leadership experience, having founded and scaled tech ventures, as well as served as CEO of CreateiQ, a data-first, contract management platform.

Recognised as a “Disruptor” in The Lawyer Hot 100 (2019) and a TechWomen100 winner (2018), Shilpa now helps law firms and corporate legal teams translate transformation and AI ambition into clear, actionable strategies.

Nigel Lang is the Chief Information Officer at Fieldfisher, a progressive and socially responsible European law firm.

With 30 years of IT experience in the Legal and Banking sectors, Nigel excels in driving innovation and delivering business value through strategic IT alignment. As an evangelist for AI and data analytics, he transforms insights into actionable strategies, enhancing organisational performance and effectiveness.

Nigel's expertise includes building high-performance teams and leading M&A initiatives to foster growth and innovation. His commitment to aligning IT with business goals ensures Fieldfisher stays at the forefront of technological advancements.

Isabel Parker is the Chief Innovation Officer at White & Case, responsible for leading the firm’s innovation strategy across its global offices. Isabel heads the firm's Practice Solutions function, which includes the Business Intelligence, Practice Technology, Research and Market Intelligence, and Knowledge Management teams. Working collaboratively with the firm's lawyers, clients and business services professionals, Isabel is focused on leveraging technology (including Generative AI) to enhance client service, build a firmwide culture of innovation and ensure that White & Case remains at the forefront of advancements in the legal industry.

Isabel joined White & Case from Deloitte Legal, where she was a partner and global lead for Deloitte Legal's Generative AI practice. Before Deloitte, Isabel served as Chief Legal Innovation Officer and Global Head of Knowledge at another major international law firm.

Isabel is the author of the book Successful Digital Transformation in Law Firms: A Question of Culture. She has been recognised as one of the 10 most innovative lawyers in Europe by the Financial Times and is a recipient of the European Women in Legal Tech Award. In 2023, she was appointed to the Lawtech UK advisory panel, supporting the UK Ministry of Justice's initiatives on legal technology. Isabel is also an Honorary Fellow of the World Commerce and Contracting Association and frequently speaks on topics related to AI, digital transformation, and the future of legal services.

As a senior leader with over 18 years at LexisNexis, Gavin Shaw has played a pivotal role in shaping the company’s evolution and deepening its partnership with the legal community. Throughout his tenure, he has focused on helping customers achieve their goals and thrive through change.

As part of the Senior Leadership Team, Gavin has helped steer the organisation’s digital transformation, ensuring customers remain at the heart of every development and innovation.

Passionate about innovation and the opportunities presented by emerging technology, Gavin has championed the responsible adoption of AI across the business and the broader legal sector. He has guided both colleagues and customers through the challenges and opportunities of transformation, ensuring technology enhances human expertise and delivers measurable value. Through his leadership, Gavin continues to inspire progress, helping legal professionals embrace the future of law with confidence, clarity, and purpose.

Richard Tromans has worked in the legal sector for over 25 years, as a strategy consultant, market analyst and senior journalist. After working in management consulting in the City of London, Richard launched his own business which focuses on legal innovation and also founded the pioneering and globally-read legal AI site, ‘Artificial Lawyer’. He strongly believes that AI can be a force for good in the legal world.