Herbert Smith Freehills appoints Libby Jackson MBE as managing partner for digital legal services

Herbert Smith Freehills has appointed Libby Jackson MBE as managing partner of the firm's digital legal services practice. The new role adds global leadership of the firm's digital strategy, legal transformation initiatives and the global legal operations team to her remit.

Effective immediately, this senior leadership position has been created to expand the firm's digital advisory services by bringing together existing teams and digital talent across the organisation to accelerate the firm's impact in this important part of the firm's business.

A key element of the firm's Ambition 2025 strategy, it represents a commitment to help clients better meet and manage the changing regulatory environment brought about by digital transformation.  The new role will also spearhead efforts to help clients understand the commercial opportunities available to them through digital transformation.

"There is a disconnect between the creative chaos of digital transformation and how, in practice and with prudent investment in mind, the business community gets ready for the changes we all face.  Our clients need teams who are not just capable of understanding the ramifications of technological advances; they want lawyers who are commercial and able to apply their digital knowledge and understanding of the law to an environment that is changing with breakneck speed," says Libby Jackson MBE, managing partner of Herbert Smith Freehills digital services practice.

Appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2019 for innovation in law, Libby has long been recognised by her peers for shaping the future direction of the legal industry. She joined Herbert Smith Freehills as a trainee solicitor, primarily focusing on large-scale commercial litigation, before moving into legal practice management in 2003. She was also the firm's first director of its Belfast office in 2011.

"Libby has an enviable track record of bringing ideas from inception to implementation. Her blend of energy, digital savviness and legal expertise will combine to ensure our clients can quickly realise the opportunities afforded to them as digital transformation becomes a byword for business as usual," says Justin D'Agostino, CEO of Herbert Smith Freehills.

Libby will combine her new responsibilities with her role as managing partner for the firm's alternative legal services practice. Holding this position since May 2020, she has led a team of almost 400 technologists, legal assistants and lawyers. She also introduced clients to a 'follow the sun' model, ensuring their large-scale data needs could be handled seamlessly by teams operating in the UK, Asia-Pacific, the US and EMEA.