Honigman LLP Appointed New Chief Information Officer
The law firm hired a technology executive to manage its internal infrastructure and global support operations.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in People
Honigman LLP has appointed Joel Gustafson as its new Chief Information Officer, succeeding Craig Hardtke following his 17-year tenure. The appointment impacts the firm's management of internal technology organizations and cloud environments for its staff of more than 400 attorneys.
Why it matters
Law firms increasingly rely on sophisticated technology leadership to oversee data security, cloud infrastructure, and procurement. This transition replaces a long-standing incumbent with an executive experienced in global IT management at large-scale firms.
The firm employs more than 400 attorneys across its operations. The new CIO brings over 25 years of global leadership experience, having previously managed organizations ranging in size from 2,000 to more than 50,000 members.
The players
Honigman LLP
A law firm with over 400 attorneys providing legal services across the United States and Israel.
Joel Gustafson
The new Chief Information Officer with 25 years of experience leading technology operations at large law firms.
Craig Hardtke
The outgoing Chief Information Officer who served in the leadership position for 17 years.
The details
Gustafson assumes responsibility for the firm's internal technology stack, including its cloud environments and support operations. His role includes overseeing global procurement and vendor management initiatives, which are critical functions for maintaining law firm infrastructure. He previously held management roles at firms including Sidley Austin, Mayer Brown, and Crowell & Moring.
Timeline
October 1, 2026: Honigman LLP announced the appointment of Joel Gustafson.
Market Landscape
The appointment follows the broader industry trend of the rise of C-suite technology roles in professional services firms as firms modernize their digital infrastructure. High-level IT leadership is becoming a standard operational requirement for firms managing multi-jurisdictional legal teams.
Operators should evaluate their own vendor management and cloud procurement strategies when rotating leadership in critical IT roles. Monitoring how new CIOs adjust technology procurement can provide insights into cost-control shifts within the legal services sector.
The takeaway
Executive transitions at the CIO level often signal a shift in a firm's approach to procurement and cloud infrastructure management. Leadership teams should track how such incoming executives re-evaluate existing software contracts and vendor relationships during their initial transition phase.
Further reading
For more on talent shifts and executive leadership changes, visit People.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Globallegalchronicle.
