Macfarlanes has appointed Adam Curphey as Director of Innovation to lead the firm’s Lawtech team, driving the firm’s strategy to embed technology and innovation across all aspects of the firm’s operations. 

Adam will work closely with lawyers across all our practices and with our business services teams to ensure that tech and non-tech enabled innovation runs through everything that we do, from preparing our people for the workplace of the future to supporting our clients with thoughtful, practical solutions.

Macfarlanes has a long-standing commitment to client-centred innovation. The firm was among the first to partner with Harvey, integrating generative AI into legal workflows. This year the firm launched Amplify for direct client use, the first of its kind in the market, and enabled clients to streamline the analysis and interrogation of their documents and contractual data. 

Beyond AI, the firm builds bespoke solutions to streamline complex processes. A recent collaboration with Schroders has automated the granting of carried interest, combining data capture, document automation, visualisation and e‑signing, and saving an estimated 25% in administrative time. The Lawtech team also develops proprietary products including Bastion, CarryHub, Elect, Onboard and Velocity to address compliance, onboarding, investor elections and contracting at scale.

Adam Curphey is a recognised leader at the intersection of law, technology and education. He joins from Mayer Brown and has previously served as a lecturer and Head of Innovation Technology at BPP Law School, where he is also a visiting professor. He is a Founding Member of O Shaped, the purpose-led consultancy seeking to bridge the gap between the law and business. A leading figure in the legal innovation community, Adam holds an MA (Oxon) in Jurisprudence from the University of Oxford and an MA (Hons) in Education and Technology from the UCL Institute of Education. 

Luke Powell, Managing Partner at Macfarlanes, said: “Adam brings a rare combination of legal expertise, product mindset and educational leadership. His track record in scaling technology adoption and building the skills lawyers need to deliver modern legal services makes him an ideal fit for Macfarlanes. With Adam’s leadership, we will continue to invest in practical innovation that makes a measurable difference for our clients and our people.”

Adam Curphey said: “Macfarlanes has built a reputation for thoughtful, client-focused innovation. I am excited to lead the Lawtech team and to partner with colleagues and clients to scale the use of generative AI, develop new products and embed the human skills of empathy, collaboration and continuous learning that underpin sustainable innovation in legal service delivery.”