Harvey lands UK innovation leader Joe Cohen from Charles Russell Speechlys

Harvey has hired Charles Russell Speechlys’ director of advanced client solutions Joe Cohen, adding one of the UK’s best-known legal innovation figures to its fast-growing ranks.

Cohen joins the legal AI startup as a legal innovation partner. He moved to Charles Russell Speechlys in 2023 from Dentons, where he was head of innovation, and oversaw CSR’s rollout of Harvey last year. During his time at the firm, he built its Advanced Client Solutions team from scratch to around 25 people.

Harvey said Cohen will work closely with firm leaders on how AI is reshaping service delivery, business models and operations. “His focus will be on helping firms formulate and navigate how their AI strategies support long-term business priorities,” the company said.

Legal AI race intensifies

The hire looks like a smart one from Harvey as the legal AI platform battle with rivals including Legora continues to intensify. Bringing in a well-connected UK innovation leader naturally strengthens Harvey’s credibility with law firm leaders and innovation heads weighing long-term AI investments.

It also comes as Harvey continues to grow aggressively. The company is reportedly seeking to raise a further $200 million at an $11 billion valuation, which would take its total funding to well north of $1 billion. It also recently unveiled plans to open in Paris in Q2 and hired a vice president of EMEA sales, in a sign of its ambitions in mainland Europe.