Cleary Gottlieb Appoints Elizabeth Wilkinson as First Chief Innovation Officer

Cleary Gottlieb announced today the appointment of Elizabeth Wilkinson as the firm’s first Chief Innovation Officer.

Based in Washington, D.C., Elizabeth will lead the firm’s innovation strategy and work closely with the firm’s practices and professionals to identify practical opportunities to enhance client service, strengthen knowledge sharing, and improve operations.

“As client expectations evolve and technology continues to transform the legal industry, the creation of the Chief Innovation Officer role reflects our commitment to investing in the capabilities that will support Cleary’s long-term success,” said Cleary Managing Partner Jeff Karpf. “Elizabeth’s unique combination of legal experience and innovation leadership makes her the ideal person to help shape how we deliver exceptional service to our clients.”

Elizabeth joins Cleary from another international law firm, where she served as Director of Knowledge & Innovation for several of the firm’s practices. In that role, she built and led the practice’s knowledge management, legal technology, and AI capabilities and played a key role in the implementation and adoption of generative AI tools.

In her role, Elizabeth will bring together innovation efforts across the firm, strengthening collaboration and coordination across teams. Through this unified global Innovation and Knowledge function, the firm will continue to identify and advance the AI and advanced technology initiatives that best serve clients’ strategic needs.

“Elizabeth’s arrival is a meaningful step forward for our firm,” said Mike Lechner, Chief Operating Officer. “By unifying practice innovation and knowledge management efforts under one umbrella, we are creating a structure that will strengthen collaboration and ensure our investments in innovation are closely aligned with the firm’s strategic priorities.”

“I am thrilled to join Cleary Gottlieb at such a pivotal moment for the legal industry,” said Elizabeth. “Cleary’s culture of excellence, its commitment to innovation, and the caliber of its people make this an extraordinary opportunity.”