Tarter Krinsky & Drogin, a bicoastal midsize law firm, has launched an Office of AI and Innovation and named John Keary as its first Director of AI and Innovation. The appointment, announced as the firm celebrates its 25th anniversary, puts a former practicing attorney with deep AI implementation experience in charge of embedding responsible technology use across the firm's legal and business operations.
From legal practice to AI operations
Keary joins from NYU Langone Health, where he served as Program Manager for Legal AI Integration & Compliance. There he led the development of AI-powered tools that supported litigation, IP, contract review, financial forecasting, and compliance. In one case, he completed a project in about four months that had been scoped for two years-identifying compliance gaps, boosting revenue by enforcing agreement provisions, and surfacing licensing opportunities that established the foundation for broader AI investment at NYU.
Earlier in his career, Keary practiced commercial litigation at Kim, Cho & Lim LLC in New Jersey, handling discovery, pleadings, motions, and regulatory advice. He earned his J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law and is admitted to practice in New Jersey. "What attracted me to Tarter Krinsky & Drogin is its belief that technology can strengthen the practice of law," Keary said. "The firm has built a culture that embraces innovation while remaining grounded in exceptional client service. I'm excited to return to my legal roots and work alongside attorneys and business professionals across the firm to develop practical AI solutions that help our clients solve problems and position Tarter Krinsky & Drogin for the future."
Embedding AI across the firm
As Director of AI and Innovation, Keary will design and oversee the firm's AI strategy, governance, and process improvement initiatives. He will work with practice group leaders and departments including Finance, HR, Marketing, Operations, and IT. The goal is to integrate technology that improves efficiency and client service without losing the firm's entrepreneurial midsize identity. The move is part of a broader shift toward AI for Legal work, as firms look for practical ways to support attorneys rather than replace them.
Managing Partner Alan Tarter said, "Technology alone doesn't transform organizations - people do. Throughout our firm's history, we have invested in building a culture that embraces change, challenges convention, and continually evolves to meet the needs of our clients. The Office of AI and Innovation is the next chapter in that evolution. It provides the structure and leadership to responsibly integrate artificial intelligence and emerging technologies in ways that amplify the talent of our people, strengthen our capabilities, and help our clients navigate an increasingly complex business environment."
25 years of growth
The firm was founded in Midtown Manhattan in 2001 and has since expanded to a national, bicoastal presence with over 30 practice areas. Its model pairs full-service capabilities with the hands-on approach of a midsize firm. The Office of AI and Innovation, Tarter said, continues that path by adapting to how clients and attorneys work today.
Why this matters for legal professionals
The creation of a dedicated AI leadership role inside a midsize law firm signals that responsible AI adoption is not limited to Big Law. For attorneys and legal operations professionals, the move shows how firms are building internal capacity to evaluate and deploy AI tools-not as a one-off experiment, but as a permanent part of business strategy. Keary's background as both a litigator and an AI implementer points to the kind of cross-functional roles that are becoming more common as the legal industry shifts toward data-driven practice. For those in the field, it means that technical literacy and operational thinking are increasingly valuable alongside traditional legal skills.
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