Koley Jessen Creates Firmwide AI Role, Elevates Innovation Leadership
Firm dedicates a full-time role to AI deployment and formalizes its innovation leadership
Koley Jessen is pleased to announce two moves that reflect the firm’s continued investment in artificial intelligence: the creation of a dedicated firmwide AI Innovation Analyst role, filled by Sebastian Ruccolo, and an expanded title for Justin Haugen, who moves from Chief Operating Officer to Chief Innovation and Operations Officer.
“These moves say a lot about how we think about AI at Koley Jessen,” said Alex Wolf, President. “We’re putting real people and real leadership behind it, because that’s what it takes to do this well and to keep serving our clients the way they expect.”
Haugen’s new title recognizes work he has led for several years. He has driven the firm’s technology training, guided the selection of the tools now in use across the practice, and shaped the workflows that put them to work. The updated title formalizes a role he has already been filling — pairing the firm’s operations with a steady focus on innovation.
“AI is a strategic priority for us, and the reason is simple: used well, these tools help us better serve our clients. Sebastian has shown what that looks like in practice, and giving him a dedicated role lets us scale it across every practice group,” said Justin Haugen, Chief Innovation and Operations Officer.
Ruccolo joined Koley Jessen as an M&A Analyst, where he became an early and active adopter of AI tools within the firm’s mergers and acquisitions practice. In his new role as AI Innovation Analyst, he will focus on deploying AI across all of the firm’s practice areas — helping attorneys and staff adopt tools thoughtfully and consistently, and supporting client conversations about AI.
“I’ve seen firsthand how the right tools help our teams move faster and serve clients better,” said Sebastian Ruccolo, AI Innovation Analyst. “I’m looking forward to helping every group at the firm find what works for them.”
The two moves build on a broader commitment to use AI in a way that is both forward-thinking and transparent, guided by clear firmwide policies. As part of that effort, Koley Jessen produces AI in Practice, an ongoing series of webinars and videos showcasing how the firm and its clients can put AI tools to work. The series is available here.
