Deloitte Legal has hired a director from Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner (BCLP) as its first chief technology officer (CTO).

Bruce Braude, who was director of legal operations solutions for BCLP's Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia regions, joins Deloitte Legal after eight years at the firm. He had also been head of the firm's consultancy arm Cantilever in EMEA and Asia since October 2018.

Based in the London office, Braude will report directly into the firm's U.K. managing partner Michael Castle, who took up the post at the beginning of the year.

Prior to joining BCLP, Braude had been the chief operating officer of investment banking at asset management and banking firm Investec.

As CTO at Deloitte Legal, Braude will oversee all aspects of legal technology for the Big Four accountant's legal arm, including improving the firm's use of technology internally to improve efficiency, develop new legal solutions for clients, deliver legal services and to improve the way in which Deloitte Legal advises its clients on the use of legal technology to optimise their operations.

Castle said in a statement: "Clients often tell us that the legal services market is currently not meeting their needs in the innovation and technology space. Deloitte Legal's ability to leverage technology and consulting expertise from across our firm means that we are perfectly placed to help general counsel and corporates in this area.

"Bruce's appointment is a critical part of our strategy to lead the market in legal technology and innovation."

Braude added: "When it comes to technologically-enabled legal solutions, the likes of AI and automation certainly have their part to play, but they are not panaceas in themselves. Every client has different business needs. Bespoke technology solutions, and thinking smartly about what problems need to be solved first, [are] the fastest way to achieve results."

The news comes shortly after Deloitte Legal hired Taylor Wessing innovation manager Laura Bygrave to become innovation lead in its London office. Prior to joining Taylor Wessing last August, Bygrave was an assistant director and innovation project and change manager at EY for five years.