HSF Kramer Poaches Cleary’s Ilona Logvinova as First-Ever Global Chief AI Officer: Legal Tech Talent War Heats Up
Big Law’s AI arms race just claimed a star recruit. Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer (HSF Kramer) snagged Ilona Logvinova, Cleary Gottlieb’s Director of Practice Innovation, for its newly created global Chief AI Officer role—effective November 5, 2025.
HSF Kramer chief AI officer hire, Ilona Logvinova Cleary, global law firm AI strategy, and Big Law legal tech talent war explode in U.S./UK searches as firms scramble for AI edge post-HSF-Kramer Levin merger (June 2025).
Logvinova’s firepower: Ex-McKinsey Legal Global Head of Innovation, McKinsey Digital Managing Counsel, Mastercard Senior Counsel (tech deals). At Cleary (joined April 2024), led digital transformation, oversaw Springbok AI acquisition (10 engineers/data scientists)—rare law firm tech buyout.
Role scoop: Drive global AI/legal tech strategy, embed GenAI across 2,700 lawyers/26 offices. HSF CEO Justin D’Agostino: “Ilona drives client value amid exploding pace.” Logvinova: “Innovation = client needs, not tech hype.”
HSF legacy: Pioneered legal tech hub (2010)—now AI vanguard in $1T+ global legal market.
X buzzes—@LegalTechStrtUp: “HSF Kramer grabs Cleary AI boss!” (86+ views). Law.com posts rack views: “Talent poach signals revolution.”
U.S. stakes: NY powerhouse HSF Kramer eyes AI antitrust, IP, M&A dominance amid DOJ CAIO trend, $Bs in tech deals. Addleshaw Goddard/Macfarlanes poach frenzy echoes—firms hoard talent as clients demand AI billing cuts (20-30%).
Cleary silent—but lateral wars rage: Springbok team stays? HSF Kramer cements “world’s leading” claim.
HSF Kramer AI officer, Ilona Logvinova hire—Big Law’s future = her playbook.
By Sam Michael
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