William S. Painter
Baker Donelson has named William S. Painter as the firm's chief innovation officer, a new position the firm has created to focus on continued innovation in the delivery of client services and technology.
Mr. Painter, who previously served as Baker Donelson's chief strategic planning officer, will oversee several areas of the firm that are key drivers of innovation, including legal project management, knowledge management, information technology, pricing, eDiscovery/practice support, research and non-traditional services including the firm's consulting subsidiary LegalShift.
"Innovation in client service has long been a priority at Baker Donelson, and as our chief strategic planning officer, Bill has been instrumental in leading that drive for innovation," said Jennifer P. Keller, the firm's president and chief operating officer. "Bringing his experience and vision to this new role furthers the Firm's commitment to innovation and differentiation through a continued focus on developing cutting-edge solutions that streamline processes, deliver value and maximize resources for the benefit of our clients."
During his tenure as Baker Donelson's chief strategic planning officer, Mr. Painter led the development of BakerManage, Baker Donelson's patent-pending legal project management system, which was recognized by the International Legal Technology Association in 2012 with a Distinguished Peer Award for "Project of the Year."
As chief innovation officer, he will work closely with Baker Donelson's functional teams, lawyers and other professionals to streamline processes, empower the firm's lawyers and professional support staff to develop and implement new and innovative ways of providing client value and help Baker Donelson continue to grow as one of the most innovative law firms in the country, said officials.
"Our clients are under increasing pressure to improve the effectiveness and management of their in-house and outside legal resources. Innovation is crucial to their ability to achieve that," said Mr. Painter. "Whether it is developing new processes to increase efficiency, creating state-of-the-art tools for developing and managing legal budgets, using multiple pricing models to drive value or using data to effectively analyze legal processes and improve outcomes, my goal is to ensure our services and resources are strategically aligned across our practice groups so that Baker Donelson can deliver the innovative solutions our clients demand."
A shareholder in Baker Donelson's Jackson, Mississippi office, Mr. Painter focuses his practice in the areas of corporate, tax and health care restructuring. His experience includes corporate, employee benefits and deferred compensation, federal, state and local taxation, securities, and trusts and estates. He has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America, including being named the Jackson "Lawyer of the Year" in Corporate Law (2016), Health Care Law (2013) and Tax Law (2010). He has also been recognized by Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business and Mid-South Super Lawyers, where he has been listed among the top 50 attorneys in Mississippi.