Director of Artificial Intelligence

Nashville, Tennessee

Job Description

The Director of Artificial Intelligence will serve as a senior leader responsible for driving the firm’s AI strategy and ensuring the thoughtful integration of generative AI across the organization. This role sits at the intersection of legal practice, emerging technology, and business strategy, and will guide the firm in responsibly leveraging AI to enhance client service, operational efficiency, and innovation. Reporting to the Chief Value & Solutions Officer, the Director of AI will provide vision, leadership, and governance to ensure AI initiatives are aligned with the firm’s values, risk profile, and strategic goals.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Vision

• Define and lead a firmwide vision for AI that reflects evolving legal practice, client expectations, and emerging technology.
• Translate business objectives into a strategic AI roadmap that anticipates future needs and positions the firm as an industry leader.
• Guide firm leadership in understanding the implications and opportunities of AI, ensuring alignment between technology adoption and organizational priorities.
  
  

Cross-Functional Integration & Change Enablement

• Act as a senior advisor and bridge between legal professionals, technology teams, firm leadership, and external partners.
• Champion a culture of innovation and continuous improvement by enabling the firm to confidently adopt, experiment with, and scale AI solutions.
• Build coalitions across departments to identify and implement high-impact AI use cases and promote best practices.
  
  

Governance, Risk, and Ethics

• Establish and oversee AI governance frameworks to ensure ethical, secure, and compliant use of AI technologies.
• Anticipate and mitigate risks related to data privacy, client confidentiality, and professional responsibility in AI applications.
• Serve as a firmwide leader in AI policy, guiding responsible innovation and use of generative technologies.
  
  

Market Insight & Competitive Positioning

• Stay at the forefront of the evolving AI and legal tech landscape to identify trends, risks, and strategic opportunities.
• Position the firm competitively by evaluating where AI can differentiate service delivery and client experience.
• Represent the firm in external AI/legal innovation forums and cultivate strategic relationships with peer institutions and vendors.
  
  

Capability Development & Talent Empowerment

• Lead efforts to build AI literacy and competency across the firm through high-impact training, tools, and enablement strategies.
• Foster an environment where legal and business professionals are equipped to innovate using AI in meaningful, ethical ways.
• Ensure that internal capabilities—technical, operational, and cultural—are aligned to support long-term AI adoption and scalability.
  
  

Required Education, Knowledge & Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree, with a preference for a Juris Doctor.
• Experienced legal professional with a deep understanding of the practice and business of law.
• Visionary leader with a proven ability to drive innovation and technology adoption in complex, professional services environments.
• Strong communicator and collaborator, capable of engaging and influencing stakeholders at all levels.
• Demonstrated thought leadership in AI, legal technology, or digital transformation initiatives.
• Strategic mindset with a balanced approach to innovation, risk management, and client value.
  
  

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit and stand for extended periods.
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds.
  
  

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

If you require an accommodation in order to apply for a position, please contact us at PillsburyWorkday@pillsburylaw.com.