Freshfields selects Cognizant as global technology services partner

05 October 2022 Consultancy.eu

International law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has selected Cognizant as its global technology services partner.

With 2,800 lawyers and other legal professionals working from 25+ offices around the world, London-headquartered Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is one of the world’s larger (and more prestigious) law firms.

Following a competitive review, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has engaged Cognizant – an American multinational IT consultancy with 340,000 staff worldwide – to improve, oversee and manage its IT operations.

Under the new multi-year agreement, Cognizant will serve as a technology advisor, helping Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer shape its technology transformation roadmap for the coming years.

The deal comes at a time of major digital-driven change for law firms. Leveraging the power of technology can not only help them better serve their clients (well-known examples include using AI for legal research or digitising processes with legal counsels) but also transform internal ways of working, from employee experience through to back office operations.

“Many legal services firms are at an inflection point and are beginning to accelerate digital transformation and modernise their businesses,” said Manju Kygonahally, a leader at Cognizant. “We are honoured to support Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer on its journey and help contribute to its success.”

The agreement will also see Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer outsource its IT processes to Cognizant. The New Jersey-headquartered company will provide 24/7 managed services for IT infrastructure and applications, as well as management of the IT service desk.

The deal has no relation with work that Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer delivers for Cognizant. The law firm is regularly hired by Cognizant for expertise during transactions (Freshfields for instance provided legal counsel to Cognizant on its 2020 acquisition of EI-Technologies in France) and for legal expertise (example: supplier or employees disputes).