LEGAL AI
HFW Names Its First Legal Tech Adoption Head
HFW appoints Ashleigh Ovland as its first Head of Legal Technology Adoption on March 5, 2026, to drive the adoption of AI across its global offices. Global law firm HFW has created a new leadership ro
Share article
HFW appoints Ashleigh Ovland as its first Head of Legal Technology Adoption on March 5, 2026, to drive the adoption of AI across its global offices.
Global law firm HFW has created a new leadership role dedicated to embedding artificial intelligence and legal technology into its daily practice. Ashleigh Ovland, a former aviation Partner at the firm's Hong Kong office, steps into the position to lead that effort across HFW's international network.
Law firms globally are under growing pressure to show clients measurable efficiency gains from technology investments. HFW's decision to appoint a lawyer, rather than a technologist, to lead this effort signals a shift toward practice-led adoption. The firm operates across more than 20 offices worldwide and serves clients in sectors including shipping, aviation, energy, and construction.
The New Role
Ovland's remit covers the full lifecycle of technology adoption at HFW. She will identify where AI and other legal tools can improve client outcomes and strengthen relationships. She will also ensure the firm achieves a return on its legal technology investments across all its sectors.
You have read your free article this month
Create a free account to keep reading. Members get unlimited research, saved comparisons and legal tech updates by email.
Already have an account? Sign in
Was this update helpful?
Sources
- 1HFW appoints first Head of Legal Technology Adoptionhttps://www.hfw.com/about-us/news/hfw-appoints-first-head-of-legal-technology-adoption/#:~:text=Global%2C%20sector%E2%80%91focused%20law%20firm,lawyers%20across%20its%20international%20network.
Continue reading
Related articles
Legal AI
Wordsmith and Goodlawyer Combine AI Platform With Fractional Counsel Network
Read article
Legal AI
LexisNexis Bets on Practitioner-Consultants to Drive AI Adoption at Large Law Firms
LexisNexis hired former practicing attorney Bennett Blachar as a Legal Engineer on its Large Law Knowledge Management & Innovation team, effective October 1, 2026, signaling a deliberate push to close the gap between AI capability and courtroom-ready implementation.
Read article
Legal AI
TC Energy Goes All-In on Harvey AI, Signaling Enterprise Legal's Shift to AI-First Workflows
TC Energy, one of North America's largest energy infrastructure companies, has deployed Harvey AI across its entire legal department, spanning operations in Canada, the United States, and Mexico.
Read articleStay informed
Make your next legal technology decision with more clarity.
Join DreamLegal for independent research, market perspectives, and practical evaluation guidance for legal teams.
Create Free Account