LONDON, UK – – Contract-focused artificial intelligence company Definely has appointed John Connolly as its new Chief Product Officer (CPO), the company announced today. Connolly, formerly Director of Product Management at Meta in London until March 2025, takes the helm from Bruce Elliott, who has been promoted to the role of Principal Product Manager after joining Definely in 2020.
The appointment signals a strategic move for Definely as competition intensifies within the burgeoning market for AI-powered contract analysis tools. The landscape is becoming increasingly crowded, with both specialized “vibe-coders” and larger technology firms like Anthropic, through its plugin offerings, vying for market share. Simultaneously, demand from legal professionals for AI solutions to streamline contract work is growing.
Connolly’s role will be pivotal in aligning Definely’s product development with its overall business strategy, supporting the executive team in charting the company’s long-term roadmap. Definely’s CEO, Nnamdi Emelifeonwu, stated that Connolly’s experience in both large technology companies and high-growth scale-ups will be “a significant step in driving the company’s international expansion and delivering innovative technological solutions for the legal sector.”
Prior to his tenure at Meta, Connolly held the CPO position at multiple venture capital and private equity-backed scale-ups. His experience also includes roles as VP of Strategy and Business Development at Expedia and CPO of SpringerNature, demonstrating a broad and deep understanding of product strategy across diverse technology sectors. According to his LinkedIn profile, Connolly has been involved in raising over $100 million in funding for previous ventures.
The timing of this hire is particularly noteworthy. The legal industry is at what Connolly describes as a “critical inflexion point” regarding the adoption of AI. He emphasized that the challenge for AI in this sector extends beyond mere efficiency gains. “The primary challenge for AI isn’t just efficiency; it must also help to preserve human understanding and professional integrity,” Connolly stated. He highlighted the potential for significant financial and reputational risks associated with errors in contract analysis, underscoring the need for robust and reliable AI tooling.
Definely’s focus on addressing these challenges positions it to capitalize on the increasing demand for AI solutions within law firms and in-house legal teams facing rising workloads and growing complexity. The company’s stated strategy centers on providing tools that not only enhance efficiency but also safeguard against risk and maintain professional standards.
The competitive landscape extends beyond direct competitors like vibe-coders. The involvement of larger players, such as Anthropic, through its AI plugins, adds another layer of complexity. This suggests a potential shift towards broader AI platforms incorporating contract analysis capabilities, potentially challenging the dominance of specialized vendors.
Connolly’s appointment reflects a broader trend of technology companies seeking experienced leadership to navigate the evolving AI landscape. His background suggests a focus on scaling product development and aligning it with commercial objectives, crucial for success in a rapidly expanding market. The company’s ability to execute on this strategy will be key to maintaining its position as a leading provider of AI-powered contract solutions.
Definely’s announcement comes as the legal technology sector prepares for the Legal Innovators California conference, scheduled for June 10 and 11 in the Bay Area. The event is expected to showcase the latest advancements in legal tech, including AI-driven solutions for contract management, and analysis.
