Davis Polk Hires Nicola Shaver as AI Chief

The New York law firm is bringing on Shaver, co-founder of Legaltech Hub, as its first chief AI and knowledge officer.

Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Artificial Intelligence

Davis Polk Hires Nicola Shaver as AI Chief

Davis Polk & Wardwell has hired Nicola Shaver as its first chief AI and knowledge officer, a move she announced Monday in an online post. Shaver is stepping down as CEO of Legaltech Hub, which named Jeroen Plink as her successor.

Why it matters

Major law firms are increasingly investing in artificial intelligence, and dedicated executive roles signal how central the technology is becoming to legal practice. The hire also reflects how legal technology leaders are moving between outside analysis and inside firm operations.

Several large firms have announced multiyear AI commitments, led by A&O Shearman's $1.1 billion over five years and Morgan & Morgan's at least $1 billion over the next decade. Cooley's new internal tech subsidiary is hiring for more than a dozen positions, though the scope of the tools it will build has not been detailed.

The players

Davis Polk & Wardwell

A major U.S. law firm headquartered in New York that is adding a chief AI and knowledge officer role.

Nicola Shaver

A legal technology executive who co-founded Legaltech Hub and previously worked at several law firms before her move to Davis Polk.

Legaltech Hub

A legal technology information and analysis company co-founded in 2020 that is now led by Jeroen Plink.

The details

Shaver, who co-founded Legaltech Hub in 2020 and previously worked at several law firms including Paul Hastings, will join Davis Polk next month. She said she is excited to work again on the inside of a firm after five years outside one.

2020: Shaver co-founds Legaltech Hub.
May: Kirkland & Ellis announces its $500 million AI platform investment.
September: Cooley unveils its new AI tech subsidiary.
Monday, November 9, 2026: Shaver announces her move to Davis Polk.
December 2026: Shaver joins Davis Polk as chief AI and knowledge officer.

Market Landscape

Elite law firms are competing on internal AI capability, with A&O Shearman, Kirkland & Ellis, and Morgan & Morgan each committing hundreds of millions to over $1 billion. Creating a dedicated chief AI officer role places Davis Polk within this same race to build proprietary tools and in-house expertise.

For clients of large firms, AI investments may change how legal research, document review, and advice are delivered over time. Firms building proprietary tools could also shift how quickly routine legal work is completed and priced.

The takeaway

Law firms are treating AI as core infrastructure rather than an add-on, and dedicated leadership roles like this one show where that investment is heading. Readers following legal services should watch whether firms translate these commitments into tools clients can actually use.