Husch Blackwell Bolsters Transformation Office with Three Key Hires
Event summary
- Husch Blackwell appointed three leaders to its Transformation Office: Sverre Roang as Head of Practice Innovation, Thom Hutchison as Director of Data Science & Artificial Intelligence, and Jani Smith as Director of Transformation.
- The Transformation Office, launched in March 2026, unifies innovation, data science, AI, and transformation functions under Chief Transformation Officer Joanna Penn.
- Roang will drive practice innovation, Hutchison will lead data science and AI initiatives, and Smith will oversee strategic delivery and execution.
- Husch Blackwell has over 1,000 lawyers across more than 20 offices and a virtual office, The Link.
The big picture
Husch Blackwell’s expansion of its Transformation Office reflects a broader industry trend of law firms investing in technology and process innovation to stay competitive. The strategic appointments aim to drive operational efficiency and client-centric solutions, aligning with the firm’s commitment to evolving legal service delivery. The move underscores the growing importance of data-driven strategies and AI governance in the legal sector.
What we're watching
- Innovation Execution
- How the new leadership team will accelerate technology adoption and process change at scale.
- AI Governance
- Whether Hutchison’s data and AI architecture will sustain the firm’s generative AI success.
- Client Impact
- The pace at which practice innovation initiatives will enhance client outcomes and deepen partnerships.
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