Innovation attorney - transactional

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP (including its associated entities) is an elite global law firm with world-class practices across the board. Clients know they can rely on Davis Polk for their most challenging legal and business matters. From offices in the world's key financial centers and political capitals, our more than 1,000 lawyers collaborate seamlessly to deliver exceptional service, sophisticated advice and creative, practical solutions. Visit davispolk.com.

Position Summary

Davis Polk is looking for an Innovation Attorney – Transactional, reporting to the Director of Knowledge & Innovation, who will play a critical role at the intersection of transactional legal expertise and artificial intelligence. Acting as both a trusted advisor and a catalyst for change, this attorney will drive the strategic adoption of generative AI tools and technology-enabled workflows that enhance the quality, speed, and consistency of deal work. The ideal candidate brings deep transactional grounding and is attuned to how AI and emerging technologies are reshaping legal practice, combined with an innovator's mindset energized by designing, testing, and scaling new tools and workflows. In close collaboration with partners, associates, and professional staff, this person will identify high-value opportunities to embed AI across the firm's transactional practices, supporting workflows from diligence and document drafting through structuring, execution, and closing. This is a role for a lawyer at heart and a technologist by inclination, someone who recognizes that technology adoption is a people challenge, and who can earn the confidence of senior deal professionals while advancing the firm's generative AI strategy.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Typical responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Partner with attorneys across transactional practice groups to identify and implement high-value applications of generative AI and legal technology, grounded in a deep understanding of deal workflows, client needs, and market practice.
• Configure and test AI-powered platforms and transactional technology tools to meet the quality and accuracy standards required for deal work.
• Develop, test, and refine prompts for generative AI systems supporting transactional workflows including contract analysis, summarization, drafting, issue spotting, precedent research, and others.
• Drive adoption of generative AI tools among transactional attorneys and staff through tailored training sessions, workshops, and hands-on demonstrations that build confidence and address reliability and risk.
• Gather practitioner feedback to identify needs and pain points and continuously refine AI-enabled solutions for transactional work.
• Serve as a trusted resource for attorneys, applying practical legal judgment and translating substantive expertise into effective knowledge and technology solutions.
• Contribute to governance frameworks, acceptable use policies, and quality-assurance processes for responsible AI use, with particular attention to confidentiality, privilege, and deal-term accuracy.
• Develop documentation, playbooks, and best practices for transactional technology workflows, AI-assisted contract drafting, and prompt engineering techniques and libraries.
• Convert transactional precedents, contract templates, and practice playbooks into structured, AI-optimized knowledge resources.
• Collaborate with the Knowledge & Innovation team, IT, and other stakeholders on firm-wide AI strategy, tool selection, and implementation priorities, including working groups, vendor evaluations, and AI pilot programs.
• Monitor developments in legal technology and generative AI to identify opportunities to improve transactional efficiency and deal execution.

Qualifications/Position Requirements

Demonstrated interest in and aptitude for legal technology, innovation, or AI applications in legal practice.

Proficiency with generative AI tools (e.g., large language models, AI-assisted drafting platforms) and an understanding of prompt engineering concepts.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts into practical guidance for practicing attorneys.

Strong project management skills with the ability to advance multiple concurrent initiatives, pilot programs, and stakeholder relationships.

Ability to build trusted, collegial relationships across practice groups, earning credibility with senior deal professionals.

Demonstrated ability to lead adoption efforts and overcome resistance to new tools and processes in a professional services environment.

Self-starter who thrives in an ambiguous, evolving environment and is comfortable building and refining AI-enabled transactional programs and processes.

Curiosity about emerging AI and legal technology and a commitment to continuous learning.

Education and/or Experience

Juris Doctor (J.D.) required.

Minimum of 3–5 years of substantive transactional practice at a major law firm, including contract drafting, deal documentation, due diligence, and transaction management, in areas such as M&A, private equity, capital markets, finance, securities, restructuring, investment funds, or real estate.

Experience with legal AI tools, such as contract analysis, document review, or legal research platforms, and proficiency in AI/ML concepts, large language models, and their practical application.

Compensation

The expected base salary for this position ranges from $250,000 - $350,000. Salary offers are based on a wide range of factors including relevant skills, training, experience, education, anticipated assignment, and, where applicable, licensure or certifications obtained. Market and organizational factors are also considered. Davis Polk offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.