Law Firm Services (LFS) has appointed Richard Mephan as Head of AI Research and Engineering further strengthening the leadership team behind its rapidly growing Minerva platform.
Richard brings more than 20 years’ experience architecting and delivering enterprise-grade AI, automation and legal technology solutions.
An original founder and former Director of Research & Innovation at Peppermint Technology, he has built a reputation for combining strategic technology leadership with hands-on engineering expertise.
As a recognised authority within the Microsoft ecosystem, Richard specialises in helping organisations transform business operations through intelligent automation, with expertise spanning Azure OpenAI, Copilot Studio, Power Platform and modern cloud architecture. His experience includes designing innovative AI-powered solutions, establishing AI governance frameworks and delivering secure, scalable technologies that improve operational efficiency, client experience and business performance.
Commenting on his appointment, Richard said:
“The legal sector is entering a period where AI can begin to deliver meaningful operational benefits, but only when it is applied in the right way. What attracted me to Minerva is the clear focus on solving genuine problems for law firms and their clients, rather than deploying technology for its own sake. There is a strong vision for the future of the platform, and I am excited to be part of the team helping to deliver it.”
Richard’s appointment follows the recent return of legal technology pioneer Mike Walker as Chief Product and Technology Officer and reflects LFS’s continued investment in the future development of Minerva, which has seen significant growth across the legal sector.
During 2025, Minerva supported nearly 170,000 client onboarding journeys, facilitated almost 250,000 ID and AML checks, and processed more than 77,000 secure payments. The platform was also adopted by 12 new mid-tier law firms across the UK, reinforcing its position as a leading client onboarding and engagement solution.
Together, Mike and Richard will help shape the next phase of Minerva’s development as the platform evolves beyond onboarding to support firms throughout the wider client journey.
Commenting on Richard’s appointment, Mike said:
“Richard brings a rare combination of strategic vision, technical depth and practical delivery experience. As we continue to evolve Minerva, his expertise in AI engineering, automation and platform architecture will help us accelerate innovation while maintaining the security, compliance and trust that law firms expect.”
LFS has outlined a pragmatic approach to AI, focusing on capabilities that augment existing law firm systems, help firms automate specific tasks, reduce friction, and improve client engagement, all while maintaining appropriate human oversight.
Mark Hemmings, CEO of Law Firm Services, added:
“We’ve had a fantastic year of growth and adoption, and we’re continuing to invest in the people and technology that will help shape the future of the platform. Mike’s return brought enormous experience and momentum to the business, and Richard adds another layer of expertise as we continue building our AI capabilities.
“What excites me most is that we’re bringing together people who genuinely understand both legal technology and the practical challenges law firms face every day.”
As Minerva continues to evolve, LFS says its focus remains on helping law firms create more connected, secure and intelligent client journeys while supporting growth, compliance and operational excellence. Ultimately, the goal is to deliver technology that creates real value for firms and better experiences for their clients.
