Lander & Rogers director of technology and innovation, Andrew Mitchell.
After four years as chief information officer at Sydney law firm, Gilbert + Tobin, Andrew Mitchell has shifted to Melbourne practice, Lander & Rogers.
He joined the firm in September as director of technology and innovation. The role was newly created and Mitchell will be providing operational leadership over a broad range of areas, including IT and telecommunications.
Mitchell told CIO Australia that the role offered some extra responsibilities, with Lander & Rogers planning a number of IT projects.
“In the past they did have an IT manager, but this new role is about taking the firm to the next level. At the moment I have 15 IT projects that I’m going to be working on which vary from IP telephony to collaboration in the firm because we have sites in Melbourne and Sydney.”
In addition, Mitchell is looking at mobility options, document automation and infrastructure upgrades.
He is also considering a rollout of iPad tablets at the firm. “I’m looking at how iPads can add value for lawyers; there are some applications that I think could be useful. The consumerisation of technology is challenging IT leaders but it’s here to stay. If you try to block bring your own technology [BYOT], you’re going to get yourself into trouble so we need to move with the times.”
He added that CIOs still faced a number of challenges including managing stakeholders and their expectations, Cloud computing, social media and BYOT.
Mitchell has worked in the IT industry for 20 years in a range of sectors, including legal, telecommunications, consulting, consumer goods and pharmaceutical. Prior to working at Gilbert + Tobin, he was IT director at Schering-Plough Pharmaceuticals in Singapore from 2003 until 2007.
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