Legal technology innovator Definely has announced a significant leadership addition, appointing former Meta director John Connolly as its new Chief Product Officer. This strategic hire brings over two decades of high-level product experience to the AI-powered contract review company. The move signals Definely's commitment to accelerating its global expansion and product development in a rapidly evolving legal landscape.
A Strategic Hire for Global Expansion
Founded in 2020 by former Freshfields associates, Definely has quickly established itself with AI tools that integrate directly into Microsoft Word. The company, which counts top-tier law firms like A&O Shearman and Slaughter and May among its clients, recently secured $30 million in Series B funding. These funds are earmarked to fuel its growth, particularly in North America, while also strengthening its presence in Europe and the APAC region.
Connolly's appointment is central to executing this ambitious international roadmap and enhancing the company's product strategy. Nnamdi Emelifeonwu, Definely's Co-Founder and CEO, highlighted Connolly's proven track record in both Big Tech and high-growth scale-ups. He emphasized that this appointment represents a significant step in delivering innovative technological solutions to the global legal sector.
A Veteran Product Leader Takes the Helm
John Connolly brings a wealth of experience from some of the world's most influential technology companies. He joins Definely from Meta, where he served as Director of Product Management, leading the critical account integrity team across Facebook, Instagram, and advertiser platforms. This role involved overseeing trust and safety for billions of users, demonstrating his capability in managing complex, large-scale product ecosystems.
Prior to his tenure at Meta, Connolly held Chief Product Officer positions at several venture capital and private equity-backed scale-ups. His diverse portfolio includes roles at blockchain analytics firm Elliptic, bookkeeping automation platform Dext, and information services business Springer Nature. This background showcases his versatility in driving product innovation across various industries, from crypto compliance to SaaS solutions.
Navigating the AI Inflection Point in Law
Connolly enters the legaltech space at what he describes as a critical inflection point for the industry. He noted that Definely is well-positioned to assist law firms and in-house teams grappling with rising workloads and increasing complexity. The company's focus on providing practical AI solutions addresses a pressing need for greater efficiency and accuracy in legal workflows.
In his new role, Connolly will champion a vision for AI that extends beyond mere efficiency gains. He stressed that the primary challenge is to preserve human understanding and professional integrity, values he sees as core to Definely's strategy. This human-centric approach is crucial in a field where a single mistake can have significant financial and reputational consequences for clients.
The appointment of John Connolly as Chief Product Officer marks a pivotal moment for Definely as it scales its operations and product offerings. His extensive experience from Meta and various high-growth tech firms provides the strategic leadership needed to navigate the complexities of the global legaltech market. This move underscores Definely's ambition to lead the charge in responsible AI innovation, balancing technological advancement with the foundational principles of the legal profession.