Associate Director, Knowledge Systems

Job Summary

Gibson Dunn is a leading global law firm, advising clients on significant transactions and disputes. Our exceptional teams craft and deploy creative legal strategies that are meticulously tailored to every matter, however complex or high-stakes. The firm’s work is distinguished by a unique combination of precision and vision.

Based in any U.S. office, the Associate Director, Knowledge Systems will be responsible for leading the strategy, development, and optimization of the firm’s knowledge management platforms, data architecture, and legal technology systems that power knowledge sharing and innovation across practices. This role ensures that the firm’s knowledge assets, from precedents and templates to AI-enabled research and analytics tools, are effectively captured, curated, and leveraged to drive operational efficiency and client value.

The Associate Director, Knowledge Systems will collaborate closely with Information Technology, Practice Management, and other firm leaders to align systems and processes with firm strategy, ensuring technology supports the seamless integration of knowledge, data, and insights into the daily workflow of attorneys and professional staff.

This position combines strategic leadership with hands-on execution and requires deep understanding of legal knowledge systems, data lifecycle management, and the evolving landscape of AI-enabled knowledge and collaboration tools in law firms.

This role reports to the Chief Legal Operations Officer.

Responsibilities include:

• Develop and implement a firmwide Knowledge Systems Strategy that supports the creation, sharing, and use of institutional knowledge across practices and offices.
• Partner with the Chief Legal Operations Officer to define objectives, governance frameworks, and success metrics for knowledge initiatives.
• Oversee the evaluation, selection, and implementation of knowledge platforms, search systems, and databases, ensuring interoperability across firm technologies.
• Ensure firmwide knowledge systems are designed to support efficient legal operations, client service, and internal collaboration.
• Lead the design and enhancement of knowledge taxonomies, metadata frameworks, and content governance to improve findability and accuracy.
• Collaborate with attorneys, practice groups, and knowledge lawyers to capture and codify best practices, precedents, and proprietary know-how.
• Drive adoption of new technologies, including AI and data analytics tools, that enhance knowledge retrieval, automation, and predictive insights.
• Partner with IT and AI teams to ensure security, compliance, and data integrity across all knowledge systems.
• Build strong partnerships across practice management, legal operations, and administrative departments to embed knowledge management into daily practice.
• Lead firmwide change management and user adoption initiatives for new knowledge technologies, ensuring alignment with attorney workflows.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to firm and practice leaders, helping them leverage data and knowledge assets to achieve business goals.
• Develop and deliver training and communications that promote the effective use of knowledge systems and reinforce the firm’s culture of knowledge sharing.
• Establish clear governance processes for content lifecycle management, system access, and knowledge quality assurance.
• Define and monitor KPIs to measure engagement, system performance, and business impact.
• Continuously assess emerging technologies, market trends, and client needs to ensure Gibson Dunn remains at the forefront of knowledge innovation.
•  Support audit, compliance, and risk management processes related to knowledge and data assets.

Qualifications

• Deep understanding of knowledge management principles, information architecture, and legal technology ecosystems.
• Strong grasp of emerging AI, automation, and analytics tools and their application in legal workflows.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives.
• Exceptional communication, relationship-building, and leadership skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively across practices and administrative departments.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to balance technical rigor and business impact.
• Commitment to Gibson Dunn’s values of excellence, collaboration, and innovation.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and drive results in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
•  Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with the appropriate discretion.

Experience

• Minimum 10 years’ experience in a law firm, legal technology, or professional services organization, with a focus on knowledge management, systems design, or innovation strategy.
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree (JD, MBA, or Information Science) preferred.
• Proven experience implementing and managing enterprise knowledge systems, legal databases, or AI-enabled tools.
•  Prior leadership experience managing cross-functional teams or enterprise-level technology projects preferred.

Gibson Dunn will consider for employment qualified Applicants with Criminal Histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of local law.

Compensation & Benefits:

The annual compensation range for this position is $255-295k. The salary offered within this range will depend upon qualifications and other operational considerations.

Benefits offered for this position include health care; retirement benefits; paid days off, including sick time, and vacation time; parental leave; basic life insurance; Flexible Spending Accounts; as well as discretionary, performance-based bonuses.

The application window will close on Monday, March 16, 2026.

Locations:

Century City, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Orange County, Palo Alto, San Francisco, Washington, D.C.

EEO Statement

Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity for all partners, employees and applicants and, in accordance with the applicable federal and state laws, does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, creed, color, religion, matriculation or political affiliation, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, ancestry, age, marital status or partnership status, family responsibilities, disability, medical condition, personal appearance, genetic information, predisposing genetic characteristics, sexual orientation, military status, status as a victim of domestic violence, stalking and sex offenses, arrest or conviction record, or on any other basis prohibited by law.