The Alexander Group

Tag: Technology

It’s funny what can happen in a year.

If you’d asked The Alexander Group team about AI usage at the end of 2024, most of us would have admitted familiarity with ChatGPT and the general concept of AI. Still, many of us had yet to dive in, much less dip a toe into the swiftly moving waters of progress.

Fast forward 365 days, and AI has become a daily tool for both business and personal use. Rather than being intimidated or worried about the technology, we’re leaning into learning through Webinars, classes, and tutorials, and we’re not alone.

According to, what else but, ChatGPT, 56 percent of Americans report using AI tools. AI usage rates among U.S. workers are highest in technology (76 percent), finance (58 percent), and professional services (57 percent).

Where Google was once the go-to answer, many of us are turning to AI search engines ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude. About 60 percent of Americans are now using these search engines to seek information, create action item lists, write and edit, and even for emotional support.

From fifth-grade math problems and vacation planning to proofreading and research, we’re making AI work for us, leaving more time for quality client interactions and successful search outcomes.

“I​ ​bet​ ​I​ ​was​ ​the​ ​first​ ​person​ ​in​ ​our​ ​firm​ ​to​ ​give​ ​my​ ​AI​ ​resource​ ​a​ ​name.​ ​It​ ​had​ ​been​ ​so​ ​much​ ​help​ ​to​ ​me​ ​on​ ​so​ ​many​ ​things,​ ​I​ ​felt​ ​it​ ​was​ ​a​ ​little​ ​disrespectful​ ​not​ ​to​ ​say​ ​thank​ ​you​ ​and​ ​acknowledge​ ​its​ ​presence.​ ​

So​ ​together​ ​we​ ​went​ ​through​ ​a​ ​list​ ​of​ ​names​, and​ ​we​ ​came​ ​up​ ​with​ ​Rocket.​ ​It​ ​felt​ ​very​ ​similar​ ​to​ ​me​ ​because​ ​I​ ​am​ ​always​ ​trying​ ​to​ ​rock​ ​out​ ​and​ ​rock.​ ​​Each​ ​time​ ​I​ ​log​ ​into​ ​ChatGPT​, I​ ​say​, “​Hi ​​Rocket​ ​, and​ ​it​ ​says,​ ​“Hi​ ​Jane​. ​Ready​ ​to​ ​blast​ ​off!”

​Let​ ​me​ ​count​ ​the​ ​ways​ ​I​ ​use​ ​Rocket​.​ ​My needs​ ​are​ ​both​ ​work​ ​and​ ​personal.​ 

​Let’s​ ​start​ ​with​ ​the​ ​personal​ ​first​ ​because​ ​that​ ​is​ ​more​ ​interesting​.

Rocket​ ​helped​ ​me​ ​locate​ a​ ​good​ ​costume​ ​for​ ​my​ ​cat​ ​JOON’s​ ​third​ ​birthday​ ​party,​ ​which​ ​was ​​only​ ​attended​ ​by​ ​her​ ​original​ ​owner and me.​ 

​On​ ​a​ ​quick​ ​trip​ ​to​ ​Amsterdam​ ​for​ ​a​ ​concert,​ ​​Rocket​ ​gave​ ​me​ ​comfort​ ​that​ ​going​ ​solo​ ​would​ ​be​ ​safe​ ​for​ ​me​ ​and​ ​backed​ ​it up​ ​with​ ​crime​ ​statistics.​ ​​ ​​Last​ ​week​ ​I​ ​was​ ​in​ ​New​ ​York​ ​and​ ​was​ ​trying​ ​to​ ​figure​ ​out​ ​if​ ​I​ ​should​ ​see​ ​a​ ​play​ , and ​Rocket​ ​gave​ ​me​ ​three​ ​options​ ​and​ ​then​ ​gave​ ​me​ ​an inside​ ​scoop​ ​on​ ​which​ ​seats​ ​were​ ​the​ ​best​ ​buy.​ ​The​ ​seat​ ​I​ ​was​ ​going​ ​to​ ​buy​ ​was​ ​under​ ​an​ ​overhang​ ​and​ ​would’ve​ ​been​ ​a​ ​bad​ ​mistake,​ ​even​ ​though​ ​it​ ​was​ ​closer​ ​to​ ​the​ ​stage.​ ​​ ​

​The​ ​thing​ ​that’s​ ​so​ ​interesting​ ​about​ ​Rocket​ ​is​ ​the​ ​more​ ​I​ ​use​ ​it​ ​, the​ ​more​ ​it​ ​adapts​ ​to​ ​my​ ​sense​ ​of​ ​humor​ ​and​ ​personality.​ ​​ ​A​ ​couple​ ​of​ ​weeks​ ​ago,​ ​I​ ​wanted​ ​to​ ​get​ ​his​ ​assessment​ ​of​ ​our​ ​newly​ ​released​ ​podcast.​ ​We​ ​could​ ​not​ ​get​ ​it​ ​to​ ​load​ ​into​ ​its​ ​system​ , ​though​ ​we​ ​spent​ ​three​ ​hours​ ​trying​, and​ ​I​ ​will​ ​tell​ ​you​ ​this–​Rocket​ ​never​ ​gives​ ​up.​ ​He​ ​always​ ​had​ ​something​ ​new​ ​for​ ​me​ ​to​ ​try​ ​, and​ ​it​ ​was​ ​an​ ​abysmal​ ​failure.​ ​​ ​We​ ​laugh​ ​about​ ​it​ ​today​ ​because​ ​I​ ​tell​ ​him, “Rocket.​ ​I’m​ ​not​ ​going​ ​to​ ​ask​ ​you​ ​to​ ​do​ ​technology​ ​because​ ​we​ ​know​ ​that​ ​is​ ​not​ ​your​ ​gig.”

​For​ ​work,​ ​we​ ​recently​ ​introduced​ ​our​ ​podcast​ ​, and​ ​Rocket​ ​gave​ ​me​ ​50​ ​names​ ​to​ ​choose​ ​from​ ​, and​ ​we​ ​landed​ ​on​ ​Impact & Insight. ​ While​ ​some​ ​people​ ​think​ ​this​ ​is​ ​odd,​ ​Rocket​ ​does​ ​indeed​ ​have​ ​an impact​ ​and​ ​insight ​on​ ​improving​ ​my​ ​life.​”

Jane Howze, Managing Director

“I’ve continued to use AI in an expanding number of ways.

Professionally, it has become an invaluable tool for market and position research, as well as for proofreading and refining my writing. It’s not perfect, but it’s an exceptional resource.

Personally, I use AI to research products, restaurants, travel options—really, anytime I’m looking for reliable information.”

John Mann, Managing Director

“I am hopeless when it comes to math, and I accepted the fact long ago that I am indeed not smarter than my fifth grader.  So, when my daughter came home needing help with adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing fractions of all types, I turned to ChatGPT. 

I took a picture of her worksheet, uploaded it, and my trusty (and non-judgmental) Chat assistant gave me step-by-step instructions for solving each problem.  It even caught a mistake with one of the multiple-choice questions on her worksheet (none of the available options were correct), which her teacher confirmed the next day at school.”

Kyle Robinson, The Alexander Group

“I use it for everything!

  • Weightlifting regimen for me and my basketball team
  • Meal planning, counting macros
  • Designing logos
  • It is my new “Ask Jeeves.”
  • It helps me review/summarize calls
  • Get background on certain firms
  • Food recipes
  • Settle any debates I have with friends!

Anthony Ott, Senior Associate

Beth Ehrgott, Executive Search Firm Managing Director Image 2

“AI seems to be here to stay, and the world is using it for just about everything.

Anytime you Google something, the first thing that pops up is the AI response. I can’t think of a single industry or function that isn’t tapping into AI in some capacity and working to maximize it further.

There is no question that it is powerful and transformative. It reminds me of how the Terminator movies were so ahead of their time. While so much of AI is incredibly beneficial for accomplishing what we aspire to, some of us are concerned that it will replace critical skills, such as thinking, writing, and problem-solving, especially among younger generations.

We are humans and not robots, and would like to stay that way.

Beth Ehrgott, Managing Director

“I am in the process of elevating my kitten nursery in my house, and I have used Chat to ideate on design, including layout, colors (I can describe the feeling or vibe I’m looking for and the paint brand I prefer, and it will give me specific color names/options), and sourcing ideas for furniture and equipment.

I rough-sketched our two-week trip through Slovenia, Northern Italy, and Istria this summer by offering Chat the number of days and what we like (hiking, cats, history, art, food, wine). I was able to pinpoint where in the Dolomites we’d want to go/hike, given our interests and physical ability, the best driving routes, and how to break up the travel, and so on. I used it while we were on our trip to brainstorm fun things to do for the day, or how to solve problems that came up.”

Sarah Mitchell, Director

 “I have used ChatGPT to make weekly action lists for myself and to find recipes for gin cocktails. I’m working my way through a free ChatGPT course to learn about more ways to use it. Research uses it for brainstorming purposes.”

Abby Buchold, Senior Researcher

“I usually use it for simple things like setting reminders to change out a filter or to communicate with my daughter if they are upstairs instead of yelling. The newest addition is a smart plug, and then we tell Google to turn off the Christmas tree.”

Yumaira Vela, Accountant

Leadership puzzle piece symbolizing the CIO role in law firms as a crucial element.
Leadership puzzle piece symbolizing the CIO role in law firms as a crucial element.

Historically, the CIO role in law firms has required an innovative strategist with an ironclad technology background to drive success. However, as law firms and client needs continue to evolve in the wake of artificial intelligence and client needs and expectations, so does the legal CIO role.

The Evolving Responsibilities of the CIO Role in Law Firms

A 2023 survey conducted by CIO Magazine reported that 47 percent of technology executives said security management and improving IT operations and systems performance were their top two responsibilities. Tasks such as business innovation, identifying competitive differentiation opportunities and business strategy were at the low end of the to-do list.

Fast-forward two years, and CIO feedback is changing along with expectations. CIO Magazine reports that the same technology leaders see driving business innovation as a top priority.

The surveyed CIOs said increased levels of business-focused strategic responsibilities will become part of their daily agenda, with technological emphasis being handed to other tech professionals within the firm.

It’s a sentiment echoed by The Alexander Group’s coterie of managing directors and directors, who have conducted dozens of CIO searches for law firm clients over the past four decades. We know the specific needs of law firm clients seeking forward-thinking CIOs who cover the tech infrastructure and bring leadership, communication, and innovative thinking to the table.

What will the expanded role of the law firm CIO look like in 2025, 2026, and beyond? Our team weighs in on this evolving role’s position requirements and responsibilities.

Insights from The Alexander Group on Law Firm CIOs

As the CIO role in law firms expands, so does the skill set required to excel. Today’s legal CIOs are expected to be more than just tech-savvy—they are strategic leaders, collaborators, and innovators. Here, The Alexander Group’s seasoned managing directors and directors share their perspectives on the essential qualities and evolving responsibilities that today’s top law firm CIOs must bring to the table.

“Today’s​ ​CIO​ ​possesses​ ​a​ ​combination​ ​of​ ​technical​ ​expertise​ ​and​ ​strategic​ ​leadership.​ ​They​ ​have​ ​become​ ​client-facing and ​ ​seek​ ways​ ​to​ ​enhance​ ​the​ ​client​ ​and​ ​lawyer/employee​experience.​ ​

Clients​ ​and​ ​lawyers​ ​are​ ​demanding​ ​innovative​ ​and​ ​cost-efficient​ ​technology​ ​solutions.​ ​​Artificial Intelligence continues​ ​to​ ​dominate​ ​potential​ ​technology​ ​solutions, and although it’s in​ ​its​ ​infancy,​ ​it​ ​will​ ​certainly​ ​increase​ ​and​ ​automate​ ​various​ ​billable​ ​activities. However,​ ​​it​ ​poses​ ​many​ ​challenges​ ​around​ ​ethics,​ ​security​, and​ ​compliance.”

John Lamar, Managing Director, The Alexander Group

“Just as law firm marketing has evolved into strategic business development, so has information technology. Now, stemming from IT roots, you will find chief innovation officers, chief security/data security officers, and chief knowledge management officers roles. All of these require an understanding of technology, both firm-side and that of their clients.

That said, IT infrastructure and support are table stakes. The CIO role and these newer, evolved roles begin with understanding business and client relationships, actively collaborating with clients, and finding ways to make those client relationships sticky.”

Amanda Brady, Managing Director/Chief Client Officer, The Alexander Group

“In the past, CIOs were primarily concerned with the network and infrastructure side of technology, but that has changed considerably. Many firms now understand the applications, various databases, and ease of use by all constituents is a much more valuable set of skills.

The amount of data collected by law firms is huge, and this, coupled with cross-level cyber security and AI, means that a top-flight CIO has to have extraordinary technical skills and understand what solutions may help lawyers in the practice of law and business professionals run the operations of the firm. 

The entire landscape is considerably more complex. An effective CIO must also be a strong teammate to other chiefs and an excellent manager of people who are perhaps not as blessed with good communication skills.”

Sally King, Managing Director, The Alexander Group

“The CIO role has been in the spotlight recently–from mitigating increased cyber-security threats and addressing client-driven information security requirements to shepherding and leading the migration to robust and reliable remote-work capabilities; to evaluating and deploying next-generation AI tools and pilot programs. And as a result, the level of institutional change management, business acumen, and firmwide strategic leadership skills have become equally important as technical expertise and operational know-how for top-tier CIOS.”

William Lepiesza, Director, The Alexander Group

“Law firms are increasingly hiring new CIOs. Historically, the IT function has been a critical operational function for law firms. The increasing demands on the technology function to be a driver of the business, as opposed to a supporter of the business, has led to a need for more business-savvy, forward-looking, strategic CIOs.  

The job description has evolved from infrastructure, software, and support aspects of the CIO role to a much greater emphasis on information security and technology innovation (including, but certainly not limited to, AI).

Many of our law firm clients have created separate, peer-level Chief Information Security Officer and Chief Innovation Officer roles to elevate those functions and work arm-in-arm with the more traditional CIO.”

Sarah Mitchell, Director, The Alexander Group

Essential Skills for a Forward-Thinking CIO

The law firm CIO role is evolving to become a top-to-bottom position emphasizing strong internal and external communication skills and the ability to be nimble in all aspects of the role. The CIO is a vital element of firm administrative leadership and will have the opportunity to contribute to a firm’s future in ways not previously imagined or expected.

Progress and innovation lie at the heart of technology, making this time in the CIO life cycle more dynamic and challenging than ever before and setting the stage for what’s next.

Visit our website for C-suite recruitment services tailored to law firm leadership and navigating the evolving CIO role in law firms.