Baker McKenzie creates data and machine learning team, deepening AI partnership

Building on a pilot partnership with an artificial intelligence company it launched last year, Baker McKenzie is upping its bet that machine learning and data-driven analytics will benefit the firm and its clients. Baker McKenzie, which first teamed up with AI-powered platform SparkBeyond in October, is now entering into a three-year exclusive contract with the company and building a new 11-person team within the firm to leverage the technology for internal and client-facing projects, the global firm said Monday. The firm plans to hire two co-founders to build out and lead the new team alongside London-based partner Ben Allgrove, who is Baker McKenzie's global head of research and development. The firm said candidates for the roles - which are now open for applications - should be "steeped in legal innovation." "Five years ago our industry was flooded with hype about AI disruption," Allgrove said in a statement.