Sondra Rebenchuk is the inaugural artificial intelligence and innovation director at Torkin Manes

Torkin Manes has appointed Sondra Rebenchuk as its first-ever director of artificial intelligence and innovation, marking a significant strategic move for the firm's technological evolution. Rebenchuk, who joins from Blakes, Cassels & Graydon LLP, will oversee the implementation of AI and legal technology to enhance operational efficiency and client service. This appointment highlights the growing trend of law firms establishing dedicated leadership roles to navigate the integration of generative AI and emerging technologies into professional services.

Sondra Rebenchuk has transitioned from her role as senior innovation counsel at Blakes, Cassels & Graydon LLP to become the inaugural artificial intelligence and innovation director at Torkin Manes. In this new capacity, she is tasked with leading the firm’s AI and legal technology strategy, collaborating with both legal and business professionals to streamline workflows and improve operational efficiency. Jeffrey Cohen, managing partner at Torkin Manes, stated that the appointment is central to the firm’s commitment to remaining at the forefront of technological transformation and leveraging AI to enhance value for their clients.

Rebenchuk brings extensive experience from her six-year tenure at Blakes, where she headed an innovation team comprising counsels, project managers, and legal technologists. During her time there, she was a key member of the firm’s strategic AI working group, where she helped develop and execute an enterprise-wide AI strategy. Her work included assessing and implementing legal tech platforms across Canadian offices and spearheading generative AI pilots across various practice groups to integrate process enhancements into daily legal work.

Beyond her work at Blakes, Rebenchuk has a deep background in the technical and academic aspects of artificial intelligence. She previously served as an AI practice consultant for Kira Systems, where she advised law firms on implementation strategies, stakeholder presentations, and training programs. Her expertise also extends to legal knowledge engineering, involving the training of AI provision models through data tagging and precision testing to help firms identify specific use cases. Additionally, she has contributed to the field as an adjunct professor at Osgoode Hall Law School, teaching courses on the law, policy, and governance of emerging technologies, following an early career as a corporate lawyer at Goodmans LLP.