Jan Hards Director of Legal Innovation

Jan is the Director of Legal Innovation (DLI) at Johnson Winter & Slattery and as such is responsible for championing the integration of technology, training and innovative changes to work practices, whilst identifying opportunities to create value for JWS’ clients.

This includes specifically facilitating the use of automation and technology to improve client service and efficiency and outcomes in the provision of legal services by JWS. Jan is also a special counsel in the corporate specialist group at JWS and his practice includes providing advice on acquisitions and disposals, joint ventures and group restructurings as well as general corporate and commercial advice to corporate clients.

Jan’s role as DLI is to understand the requirements of specific matters and identify best-fit technology options. JWS has access to a wide range of products and services, some developed in-house and some delivered using external providers, which provide JWS’ clients access to a greater range of options to meet their needs. Jan’s role is to recommend the best products, services and tools for a specific matter allowing the JWS team to focus on the legal aspects of the firm’s involvement in the matter. This includes project management systems and other collaboration tools to assist the JWS team to provide a superior service, such as:

• platforms to facilitate the sharing of information within the JWS team and among client and other advisors;
• workflow management to ensure the most efficient allocation and completion of tasks; and
• collaboration tools to assist on more effective work practices in the team, always ensuring that the relevant solutions are reliable, cost effective and that security and confidentiality requirements are fully met.