BUSINESS: CIO.legal
TITLE: Principle Consultant
BUSINESS’S INDUSTRY: Legal Technology
Ryan Bankston is a seasoned IT professional with nearly 20 years of experience serving AmLaw 200 firms, the top corporate law firms in the country. His career began in a humble role, answering calls from attorneys and staff with IT requests and tech issues. Over time, Ryan advanced into leadership positions, which allowed him to travel globally and work closely with client offices, contributing significantly to both IT and Business Operations departments.
Ryan’s extensive background includes his tenure at K2 Services, where he spent over 13 years in various roles. As Associate Director of Special Operations, he managed international operations, overseeing the establishment and expansion of offshore offices, and supervising over 60 employees across multiple countries and departments. His strategic initiatives included negotiating vendor contracts, recruiting and training personnel, and defining corporate governance structures.
As Operations Manager at K2 Services, Ryan was instrumental in rebuilding key service relationships, transforming challenging client engagements into successful partnerships, and driving significant revenue growth. His proactive approach in creating specialized teams and optimizing after-hours operations showcased his ability to lead and innovate within high-pressure environments.
Ryan also holds certifications as a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, Scrum Master, and ITIL 4, underscoring his commitment to operational excellence and continuous improvement. His role as VP of Partners at HDI Skyway further exemplifies his ability to foster mutually beneficial relationships between vendors and local HDI chapters.
In January 2024, Ryan founded CIO.LEGAL, aiming to bring large firm IT solutions to smaller legal operations. This venture was inspired by his realization of the significant disparity between the tech stacks and IT communities of large and small-medium firms. CIO.LEGAL focuses on legal technology and systems innovation, offering services such as cybersecurity assessments, technology assessments, AI readiness and solutions, IT and operations consulting, fractional executive CIO services, virtual reception, outbound marketing calls, tech support, and cloud solutions.
Ryan’s expertise in optimizing operations and cultivating successful business relationships, combined with his passion for harnessing technology for positive change, positions him as a leader in the legal tech industry. He is dedicated to helping smaller legal firms achieve the same level of technological sophistication and operational efficiency as their larger counterparts.
CIO.LEGAL Business Description:
CIO.LEGAL, founded by Ryan Bankston in 2024, is dedicated to transforming the technology landscape for small to medium-sized legal firms. Drawing on nearly two decades of experience working with AmLaw 200 firms, Ryan established CIO.LEGAL to bridge the gap between the advanced tech stacks of large firms and the often under-resourced IT environments of smaller practices.
CIO.LEGAL specializes in legal technology and systems innovation, providing comprehensive analysis, improvement, and administration of systems and services that drive legal business success. The company’s mission is to ensure that every aspect of a firm’s technology infrastructure is optimized, from client-facing websites and practice management systems to critical communication channels.
Key Services Offered by CIO.LEGAL:
1. Free Cybersecurity Assessment: Evaluating and enhancing the firm’s cybersecurity posture to protect sensitive legal data.
2. Technology Assessments: Comprehensive reviews of existing technology infrastructure to identify areas for improvement.
3. AI Readiness and Solutions: Preparing firms to leverage artificial intelligence for enhanced efficiency and decision-making.
4. IT Consulting: Expert advice on optimizing IT operations and implementing best practices.
5. Operations Consulting: Strategies to streamline business operations and improve overall efficiency.
6. Fractional Executive CIO Services: Providing high-level IT leadership on a part-time basis.
7. 24/7 Virtual Reception: Ensuring professional and efficient handling of incoming calls.
8. Outbound Calls for Marketing, Engagement, or Collections: Proactive communication strategies to support business growth and client engagement.
9. 24/7 Virtual Tech Support: Providing remote technical support to resolve IT issues promptly.
10. 24/7 Network Operations Center (NOC): Monitoring and managing network performance to ensure reliability and security.
11. 24/7 Security Operations Center (SOC): Proactive threat detection and response to protect against cyber threats.
12. Cloud Solutions: Offering cloud services including Microsoft Windows 365, Office 365, Intune, Azure, PowerBI, Defender, Bitdefender, Sentinel One, Malwarebytes ThreatDown, and Nimble CRM.
CIO.LEGAL is committed to empowering smaller legal firms with the same high-quality technology and operational solutions that have traditionally been the domain of large corporate law firms. By partnering with CIO.LEGAL, legal practices can achieve enhanced productivity, improved client service, and a robust technological foundation to support their growth and success.