Orrick Taps Tech and Finance Leaders for AI Future

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe has significantly bolstered its leadership by hiring two key executives, Padma Elmgart as Chief Technology Officer and Chris Davis as Chief Financial Officer. Both leaders are based in New York and bring extensive experience from the financial and legal sectors, respectively. Elmgart previously served as CTO at Global Atlantic Financial Group, with prior experience at major banks like Deutsche Bank and Barclays. Davis joins from Paul Hastings, where he held a Chief Operating Officer role. These appointments are timely as artificial intelligence, particularly generative AI and large language models, is rapidly transforming the legal industry's landscape and operational priorities. The firm aims to leverage technology, data, and AI to create differentiated value for clients and revolutionize its internal operations. This strategic move aligns with a broader industry trend where major law firms are increasingly investing in AI capabilities, leading to a surge in hiring specialized executives and technical talent to navigate this technological evolution and manage rising operational expenses. Davis will focus on fostering innovation within the finance department, while Elmgart will spearhead Orrick's global technology strategy. Elmgart is set to begin her role on September 21, and Davis commenced his duties on September 11.