AmLaw 100 law firm Drinker Biddle & Reath has named Bennett Borden the firm's first chief data scientist (CDS). In this role, Borden will oversee the implementation of technologies and services that apply use of data analytics and other cutting edge tools to the practice of law. The move positions Drinker Biddle as one of the first firms—possibly in the world—to carve out a leadership position overseeing data analytics, with the impetus for the new role coming from the firm's longstanding views on the importance of governing information.

In an interview with Legaltech News Borden said, “Our perspective is that information governance is a coordinating discipline around all the different facets of the creation use and disposition of information. And so data analytics is one more part of a large IG framework.”

As chief data scientist, Borden, who is also a partner in the firm's litigation group and co-chair of its information governance and e-discovery group, is tasked with developing the firm's data analytics strategy. Previously, his work has focused on advising clients on the use of data analytics for insight, case strategy and creating economic value. He has also conducted research that has allowed clients to utilize unstructured data to detect incidents of fraud.