The College of Law has named a new director of innovation to drive the institution’s artificial intelligence and innovation agenda.
Alison Laird has been appointed as the College of Law’s (COL) director of innovation, where she will lead the institution’s Centre for Legal Innovation (CLI) and spearhead a college-wide AI strategy.
In this role, Laird will shape COL’s innovation agenda and spearhead AI initiatives across teaching, content creation, and internal operations, with a focus on governance, capability building, and creating sustainable long-term value rather than chasing trends or hype.
With decades of experience in public and professional services, Laird has driven innovation across global businesses and multi-functional teams, while also contributing six years of insight as an advisory board member for the Centre for Legal Innovation.
Alongside her responsibilities at COL, Laird serves as director of consulting at Elevate, advising legal departments and law firms on operations, people, processes, technology, and AI.
COL stated how her dual roles will ensure that market-leading industry insights flow directly into the CLI and the organisation’s wider strategy, including its AI governance framework and practitioner-focused innovation programs.
The institution added that her appointment will help ensure that COL and CLI courses remain relevant, grounded in real-world experience, and responsive to emerging challenges in the legal profession.
The College of Law Group CEO, Marcus Martin, expressed his enthusiasm for Laird’s appointment, praising her as an exceptionally qualified and highly strategic leader in innovation.
“Alison Laird is exceptionally qualified in the field of innovation and is a highly strategic leader,” Martin said.
“I am truly excited to announce Alison’s appointment.”
“Over the last six years, Alison has served as an advisory board member for the Centre for Legal Innovation (CLI) and holds decades of experience in public and professional services working with multi-functional teams and global businesses specialising in innovation.”
Speaking about her new role, Laird expressed excitement about joining COL, noting her goal to leverage AI to enhance learning experiences, increase personalisation and accessibility, and translate practical experimentation into guidance for legal professionals.
“I am thrilled to join the College of Law as director of innovation,” Laird said.
“My objective is to utilise AI to enhance learning experiences, personalisation and accessibility. We will embrace practical experimentation to inform guidance to the profession, not just theory.”
