Caryn Sandler

Partner + Chief Knowledge and Innovation Officer
Sydney

Biography

Caryn is a partner and our Chief Knowledge and Innovation Officer.

She leads our G+T Innovate team. This team provides specialised services to support Gilbert + Tobin’s legal service delivery and innovates to deliver new tools and services benefiting Gilbert + Tobin’s practice and clients. Caryn’s role encompasses responsibility for more than 60 lawyers and business professionals working across Transformation, AI, Legal Technology, Legal Informatics, Legal Project Management and Knowledge Management.

Her team’s expertise and execution of successful innovative projects are recognised by the market. Caryn is listed Band 1 in Chambers NewLaw / Legal Transformation Consulting guide and was also listed as an ‘Influential Woman in Legal Tech’ by ILTA, both in 2024. Under her leadership, Gilbert + Tobin was awarded the overall title of “Most Innovative Law Firm in Asia-Pacific” at the Financial Times Innovative Lawyers Awards 2024, as well as ‘Excellence in Technology & Innovation’ at the Australasian Law Awards (3rd year in a row) and ‘Innovator of the Year (Company)’ at the Australian Law Awards 2023.

Experience

Caryn’s experience includes advising:

  • A global financial services group in creating, testing, and implementing a Generative AI (GenAI) upskilling program for the legal and governance team globally, including piloting GenAI technology.

  • A large ASX-listed retailer in developing and delivering a program aimed at upskilling legal team members in the fundamentals of legal app design and building.

  • A global financial services company on creating and facilitating a full-day hackathon in which GenAI tools and frameworks were tested and assessed.

  • Large ASX-listed global legal teams on Target Operating Models, their innovation and legal technology strategy, including the delivery of capability development and training and process redesign support.

  • On innovation workshops for ASX-listed companies to consider current technology and develop a technology roadmap.

  • On the sale of G+T Verification tool to Litera, a U.S. legal software company headquartered in Chicago. 

  • On the development of Smart Counsel, a digital platform targeted at in-house lawyers. 

  • The Australian Institute of Project Management (AIPM) on the development of a project management certification relevant for the legal industry.

  • On the development and delivery of an award-winning due diligence automation tool that introduces standardised processes for conducting due diligence across G+T for use on the most complex of transactions. 

Awards and Recognition

  • Chambers NewLaw Guide 2024

    Band 1 Legal Transformation Consulting

  • ILTA Influential Woman in Legal Tech 2024

    2024 Honouree

  • Financial Times Innovative Lawyers Asia-Pacific Awards 2022

    Most Innovative Change Maker

  • Australian Law Awards 2022

    Innovator of the Year

  • Lawyers Weekly Partner of the Year Awards 2021

    Innovator of the Year

  • Women in Law Awards 2020 and 2019

    Innovator of the Year

Testimonials

Client first thinking

Caryn is fantastic to work with and approaches matters with sophistication and an innovative flair. She has excellent commercial awareness and delivers a great service to clients at every interaction.

Chamber, New Law | Legal Transformation Consulting

Caryn Sandler has a great sense of the in-house environment and has the emotional intelligence to understand the importance of stakeholder engagement.

Chambers New Law | Legal Transformation Consulting

Caryn is praised in feedback, recognised as being 'a pioneer and leader', having 'excellent commercial awareness' and 'incredible experience'. 

Chambers New Law | Legal Transformation Consulting
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