Al Hounsell teaches in the area of Legal A.I. and Innovation. He is Gowling WLG’s National Director of AI, Innovation & Knowledge.
With over a decade of experience at the forefront of legal service design and innovation, Al is known for shaping transformative client solutions that reimagine the way legal services are structured and delivered. In leading Gowling WLG’s exploration into new avenues of client service, he applies his unique background in law, entrepreneurship and software development.
Prior to joining Gowling WLG, Al served as Director of Strategic Innovation & Legal Design at another major international law firm, leading a team of lawyers, developers, legal engineers, and operations experts to streamline legal operations for both the firm and its clients.
A respected thought leader and educator in his field, Al is also an active member of the Ontario Bar Association’s AI Task Force and writes and speaks frequently on the future of innovation and legal service design, inspiring others to explore how emerging technologies can enhance the practice of law.
Al’s contributions to legal technology have earned him several notable industry accolades, including Innovative Leader of the Year (2024) from the International Legal Technology Association and two “Best Use of Technology in a Law Firm” awards (2022 and 2023) from the Canadian Law Awards.
https://gowlingwlg.com/en-ca/people/al-hounsell