Cox Legal Chief's AI Push and People-First Vision Earns Dual Honors

ATLANTA, GA – May 27, 2026 – Jennifer Hightower, the executive vice president and chief legal officer at Cox Enterprises, has been recognized with two prestigious awards that highlight a powerful new paradigm in corporate law: the fusion of cutting-edge artificial intelligence with a deeply human-centric leadership philosophy. The dual honors—the Atlanta Business Chronicle's 2026 Top Legal Innovator Award and the Georgia Asian Pacific American Bar Association's (GAPABA) 2026 Outstanding Leadership Award—paint a picture of a modern legal department that is not only embracing the future but actively building it.

The recognition underscores a strategic transformation underway within the Atlanta-based global conglomerate, positioning its legal function as a driver of innovation and value rather than a traditional cost center. Hightower's approach demonstrates that technological adoption and a commitment to people are not mutually exclusive but are, in fact, complementary forces for creating a more efficient, effective, and impactful legal department.

Revolutionizing Legal Work with Artificial Intelligence

At the heart of the Top Legal Innovator award is Hightower’s strategic implementation of artificial intelligence to redefine legal operations at Cox. Under her guidance, the legal team embarked on a pioneering initiative to integrate Harvey AI, a generative AI platform built specifically for the legal profession. This move places Cox at the vanguard of a sweeping trend, as corporate legal departments nationwide shift from merely experimenting with AI to embedding it into their core workflows to achieve measurable results.

The results of a seven-week pilot program were nothing short of transformative. The company anticipates the technology will save approximately 11,000 internal work hours annually. Furthermore, it projects a reduction of 2,500 billable hours from outside counsel, a significant cost-saving measure that also allows the in-house team to retain more strategic work. By accelerating key legal processes, from contract review to complex research, the AI integration has empowered the department to operate with unprecedented speed and efficiency.

This initiative is not merely about cutting costs. By automating repetitive and time-consuming tasks, Hightower has fostered a culture where attorneys are encouraged to focus on higher-value strategic work, complex problem-solving, and providing proactive counsel to the business. The adoption of emerging technologies is now part of the department's DNA, encouraging a mindset of continuous improvement and innovation.

Cox's success with Harvey AI mirrors a broader industry shift. Legal technology analysts report that over a third of corporate legal departments now use AI tools daily, with a majority planning to significantly increase their investments in the coming years. These tools, which can analyze vast document sets, draft initial contract clauses, and identify potential risks in seconds, are augmenting the capabilities of lawyers, not replacing them. However, successful implementation requires more than just purchasing software; it demands a clear vision and strong leadership to manage change, ensure data security, and integrate the technology seamlessly into existing workflows—a challenge Hightower’s team has demonstrably met.

A Blueprint for People-First Leadership and Impact

While the AI initiative showcases Hightower's forward-thinking approach to technology, her second honor, the GAPABA Outstanding Leadership Award, illuminates the other side of her leadership coin: a profound commitment to people, culture, and community. This award recognizes chief legal officers who not only inspire their own organizations but also make a significant positive impact on the broader legal community.

Alina Lee, president of GAPABA and founding partner of Aspire Law, lauded Hightower's leadership style. "Jennifer has led boldly and with a deep commitment to supporting her team and the Atlanta community," Lee stated. "The Cox legal department is known as a wonderful place to work, in large part because of her leadership and the tone she sets from the top."

This reputation was cultivated through deliberate action. Lee highlighted Hightower’s successful effort to unify Cox’s previously siloed legal teams—spread across its diverse business divisions—into a single, cohesive department. This structural change broke down barriers, fostering greater collaboration, efficiency, and a stronger, unified culture.

Furthermore, Hightower's leadership extends beyond her own department's walls. She is a vocal advocate for partnering with small, minority-owned, and women-owned law firms, using her position to create opportunities and promote diversity within the legal ecosystem. This commitment aligns directly with the mission of GAPABA, which champions the advancement and representation of Asian Pacific American legal professionals. Her selection for the award reflects not just professional excellence but a dedication to mentorship and community engagement that sets a standard for modern corporate leaders.

Innovation as a Corporate Mandate

Hightower’s dual achievements are not isolated events but are deeply reflective of the overarching corporate strategy at Cox Enterprises. For over 125 years, the privately held company has been driven by a relentless focus on innovation, resilience, and a purpose to build a better future. The transformation of the legal department is a microcosm of a company-wide push towards a tech-forward, sustainable, and socially responsible future.

This corporate DNA is evident in Cox's "FutureFocus 2034" plan, a strategic initiative aimed at growth and diversification through technology and sustainability. The company has invested billions in cleantech, renewable energy, and advanced agriculture, and it leverages predictive AI across its business units to enhance efficiency and create new revenue streams. The legal department's embrace of Harvey AI is a direct parallel to this strategy, applying the same principles of technological leverage and efficiency to its own operations.

By championing both technological innovation and a people-first culture, Hightower has crafted a model for the modern corporate legal department. This model proves that legal teams can be more than just risk managers; they can be strategic partners that actively contribute to the company's growth, efficiency, and social impact. The dual recognition from the Atlanta Business Chronicle and GAPABA serves as a powerful validation of this holistic approach, celebrating a leader who is not only preparing her team for the future of law but is also shaping it for the better.