People Moves: Ilona Logvinova, Global CAIO at HSF Kramer

Ilona Logvinova has joined Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer as Global Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer, reinforcing the firm’s commitment to legal innovation and the strategic use of advanced technology across its global operations.

Based in New York, Ilona brings more than a decade of experience at the intersection of law, technology and digital transformation.

Her appointment reflects Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer’s ambition to embed AI more deeply into legal services, client delivery and internal operations at a time when the legal sector is undergoing rapid technological change.

Driving adoption of emerging tech

Ilona joins the firm from Cleary Gottlieb, where she most recently led legal innovation and transformation initiatives. In that role, she was responsible for driving the adoption of emerging technologies, rethinking legal service delivery models and aligning innovation efforts with client needs and regulatory expectations.

Prior to Cleary Gottlieb, Ilona served as Global Head of Innovation for McKinsey Legal and managing counsel for McKinsey Digital. During her time at McKinsey, she worked closely with legal and business leaders to implement AI-enabled solutions, modernise legal functions and support large-scale digital transformation programmes across industries.

Earlier in her career, Ilona held the role of Senior Counsel at Mastercard, where she focused on technology builds and complex tech transactions. Her experience in a global payments and technology company gave her deep insight into how legal teams can enable innovation while managing risk in fast-moving, highly regulated environments.

Innovation tied to client outcomes

Justin D’Agostino, global CEO at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, said Ilona’s appointment would play a central role in shaping the firm’s future strategy.

“Ilona will drive the firm’s global strategy to further leverage the potential of AI and legal technology in the service of our clients,” he said. “The question is no longer whether AI will disrupt the legal sector, but how fast and how well we can harness it to deliver value. This means having the best people using the best technology underpinned by robust oversight.”

Ilona said she was “excited to join HSF Kramer, with its reputation for excellence, ambition and innovation”.

She added: “HSF Kramer believes, as I do, that legal innovation isn’t about asking ‘what can tech do?’ but rather, ‘what do our clients and people need today and tomorrow?’ Innovation succeeds when it’s tied directly to client outcomes. It’s a critical time for embedding leading-edge AI into legal services.”