US firm Reed Smith has hired Berwin Leighton Paisner’s (BLP’s) chief knowledge director Lucy Dillon, a hire indicative of knowledge management increasingly becoming an integral part of a law firm’s arsenal.
Set to join the firm’s London office, Dillon leaves BLP after 13 years where she was responsible for developing knowledge management across the firm’s international network.
Having started out as a litigation lawyer in Linklaters’ London office before moving into knowledge management, she is cited in the Legal Business Knowledge Management Report as part of a survey highlighting 20 standout teams in the know. During her time at BLP, Dillon reported to the firm’s former managing partner Neville Eisenberg and had direct board access while working closely with practice group heads.
The firm has also appointed pharma giant Mylan’s global IT transformation head Steven Agnoli as chief information officer. Set to work from the firm’s Pittsburgh office, previous roles include working as CIO at K&L Gates from 1998 to 2011.
Reed Smith’s chief operating officer Gary Sokulski said: ‘The senior management team is extremely pleased to add highly qualified professionals of Lucy’s and Steven’s calibre to Reed Smith. Both have exceptional qualifications and significant experience well aligned with our strategic business plans. The roles of CKO and CIO are increasingly important to a global law firm’s success. We are confident Lucy and Steven have what it takes to enhance and sustain the innovative, market-leading knowledge management and information technology functions.’
sarah.downey@legalease.co.uk
For more on knowledge management teams in the profession, see The Knowledge Management Report – 20 standout teams in the know