Ashurst appoints Terri Mottershead to lead digital legal push
Ashurst has appointed Terri Mottershead as Director in the firm's Ashurst Advance division, further developing its digital legal services capabilities.
Mottershead, whose career spans more than thirty years in legal transformation, will lead the global Digital Enablement team and will be based in Brisbane. The appointment is set to support Ashurst's ambitions in digital and data literacy and reflects continued client demand for technology-enabled legal services.
Mottershead joins Ashurst from the Centre for Legal Innovation at the College of Law Australia, where she served as the inaugural Executive Director. Her work in that role involved collaboration with leaders across the legal sector in identifying industry trends, developing strategies, and transforming organisational practices to address the requirements of a rapidly evolving legal landscape.
Her experience encompasses legal practice, education, talent development, and the integration of emerging technologies. At Ashurst, Mottershead is tasked with supporting ongoing digital transformation, contributing to the firm's thought leadership, and enhancing client engagement on technology-driven legal matters.
Strategic leadership
Hilary Goodier, Partner and Global Head of Ashurst Advance, commented on the significance of the appointment:
Terri is widely recognised for being one of the leading voices in innovation and technology in the legal industry. Her unique blend of practical legal expertise and academic insight will be invaluable as we continue to push the boundaries of digitally enabled legal service delivery. Our people and clients expect us to lead the way in technology and AI adoption, and with Terri on board, we are even better equipped to deliver the next generation of legal services.
Mottershead's position as Director of Digital Enablement will involve leading initiatives to increase both digital and data literacy within the global firm, drawing on her background that crosses private practice, academia and consulting. Her appointment comes as part of a move by Ashurst to continue its investment in digital legal services and AI-driven client solutions.
Growth of Ashurst Advance
The Ashurst Advance Digital practice group now comprises four directors, with Mottershead joining Arjuna Guruge, Sarah Chambers, and Chris Boulter. Together, they oversee areas spanning Digital Enablement, Development via Ashurst Labs, eDiscovery and Digital Services, and Digital Experience. This formation is designed to bolster the firm's ability to provide digital capabilities and solutions for clients navigating increasingly complex legal technology requirements.
Discussing her new role, Mottershead said:
I am thrilled to join Ashurst Advance at such an exciting moment in its digital evolution. Leading the Digital Enablement team is a fantastic opportunity to help shape the future of legal services and support the firm for the AI era. I look forward to collaborating with colleagues across the globe to drive meaningful innovation, build digital confidence, and deliver exceptional results for our clients.
Her appointment is intended to underpin Ashurst's strategy of integrating digital expertise into its legal services, supporting both professionals within the firm and the clients they advise. The Ashurst Advance division functions as the firm's NewLaw arm, focusing on areas such as process efficiency, legal technology, and data-driven service delivery.
Industry and organisational context
Ashurst operates across 31 offices in 18 countries with teams providing legal, risk consulting, and NewLaw services to a broad client base, including corporates, financial institutions and governments. The firm's NewLaw initiatives such as Ashurst Advance have aimed to respond to industry shifts toward digitalisation and the adoption of AI technologies.
The Digital Enablement team, now led by Mottershead, has been established to meet the ongoing challenges posed by legal technology and to enhance the firm's capacity for delivering sophisticated, technology-enabled solutions in multi-jurisdictional environments. The recruitment of Mottershead signals Ashurst's intent to advance its digital infrastructure and talent development in this area, while ensuring clients are equipped to respond to technological developments within the legal sector.
According to Ashurst, Mottershead's leadership and sector experience are expected to contribute to the firm's digital transformation programme as it continues to develop strategies for integrating AI and new technologies into legal services. Her remit will include continuing engagement with industry leaders and contributing to best practice standards in digital legal services both internally and for Ashurst's global client base.
