The Big Apple Brief: Andrea R. Webster on Ethical AI, Compliance, and More
- Cosmonauts Team
- Oct 8
- 2 min read
As generative AI becomes more integrated into in-house legal departments, issues around ethics, compliance, and training have taken center stage.
In an exclusive Q&A ahead of her appearance at Legal Innovators New York, Andrea R. Webster, Associate Director of Legal Innovations & Operations at Novartis, shares how her team is building AI into legal workflows responsibly and strategically.
From reinforcing professional responsibility in AI-assisted processes to redefining the role of legal operations, Andrea offers a grounded, practical look at how Novartis is aligning innovation with accountability.
This preview offers valuable insights for any legal professional seeking to navigate the fast-evolving intersection of law and technology.
How can lawyers maintain professional responsibility when AI is in the loop?
AW: At Novartis, maintaining professional responsibility in AI-enabled legal workflows begins with a strong ethical foundation. Our AI governance is anchored in four principles: respect for humanity, responsible use, transparency, and data protection. Legal teams are trained to ensure that AI tools are used with clear purpose, aligned with privacy rights and regulatory expectations. Lawyers remain accountable for decisions, even when AI assists, by validating outputs, documenting tool usage, and applying human judgment to critical matters.
How is AI reshaping the role of legal operations teams? Do you see legal ops becoming more strategic because of AI?
AW: Absolutely. AI is transforming legal operations from a support function into a strategic enabler. At Novartis, legal ops teams are leveraging AI to automate spend management, streamline invoice review, and enhance contract lifecycle oversight. This shift allows legal ops to focus on higher-value activities like data strategy, risk forecasting, and cross-functional collaboration. The integration of AI into enterprise legal platforms is positioning legal ops as a driver of innovation and competitive advantage.
What new responsibilities are emerging for legal ops professionals?
AW: Legal ops professionals are now expected to manage AI governance, ensure compliance with emerging regulations, and oversee ethical deployment of AI systems. Responsibilities include vendor risk management, monitoring AI outputs for bias or error, and maintaining documentation for audits and legal defensibility. At Novartis, legal ops also play a key role in training teams on responsible AI use and aligning technology with business goals.
Andrea’s perspective underscores a broader shift in the legal industry - where innovation, ethics, and strategic operations converge. Her experience at Novartis provides a powerful roadmap for legal teams looking to adopt AI in a responsible and value-driven way.
Join Andrea and other forward-thinking leaders on November 20th at Legal Innovators New York – In-House Day, hosted at Latham & Watkins’ New York office, for more in-depth discussions on the future of legal innovation.
Private practice and in-house legal professionals can attend for free to network with 500+ industry leaders and to gain fresh strategies for 2026.
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