Embracing AI at CMS
How we combine technology, legal expertise, and responsible innovation to support our clients in an AI-driven world
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Artificial intelligence is transforming how businesses operate and how legal services are delivered.
At CMS, we are embracing AI to enhance the quality, speed, and insight we provide to clients. Our approach combines leading technology, deep legal expertise and responsible governance, ensuring that innovation delivers real value.
Whether supporting complex legal analysis, managing large datasets or enabling more efficient workflows, AI is already embedded across our services.
"We believe the future of legal services is not human versus machine, but human + machine, working together to deliver better outcomes for clients."
John Craske
Our approach to AI at CMS
Our strategy is simple:
Adopt best-in-class tools
We invest in leading AI and legal technology solutions that help our lawyers work more efficiently, manage complex information, and deliver high-quality outcomes. We take a portfolio approach, continuously assessing and adopting new technologies as the market evolves.
Build deep expertise
We combine technology with deep legal expertise. Our lawyers advise clients on AI-related legal, regulatory, and commercial issues, while staying at the forefront of developments in AI, digital transformation, and emerging technologies.
Empower our people
We equip our people with the training, resources and support needed to use AI confidently and effectively in their day-to-day work. This helps ensure AI is applied in a practical, responsible, and client-focused way.We take a portfolio approach, selecting the right tools for the right task, while continuously testing and evolving new solutions as the market develops.
This ensures that we remain flexible, practical, and focused on outcomes for clients.
Responsible AI and governance
Harvey: AI at scale in practice
Harvey is one of the key AI platforms used across CMS. Designed specifically for legal professionals, it helps our lawyers review documents, analyse information, conduct research, and draft content more efficiently.
Following a successful pilot, Harvey has been rolled out across the CMS international organisation and is available to all CMS lawyers. With more than 6,500 users, CMS is the largest law firm deployment of Harvey globally. By combining AI with legal expertise and human oversight, we are helping our people work more efficiently while maintaining the quality and judgement our clients expect.
Hear from John Craske, Chief AI & Innovation Officer, Bert Vries, Director of Innovation, Knowledge & Technology at CMS Netherlands, and Laura Fessey, Head of Legal Tech, in the video below on how Harvey is supporting legal innovation across CMS.
CMS announces roll out of Harvey across 50+ countries
How CMS reached 95% adoption with Harvey
Harvey Innovation Spotlight discussion about AI adoption
Supporting clients on their AI journey
Beyond using AI internally, we help clients at every stage of their AI journey – from exploring and implementing new technologies to navigating regulatory, commercial and governance challenges. Drawing on expertise across multiple practice areas, we help organisations adopt AI responsibly, manage risk effectively, and unlock value from innovation.
Our expertise includes:
AI regulation and complianceWe help organisations understand and navigate the rapidly evolving AI regulatory landscape, from emerging legislation and sector-specific requirements to governance frameworks and compliance strategies. | Commercial contracts and risk allocationWe advise on the development, procurement and deployment of AI solutions, drafting and negotiating contracts that appropriately allocate risk, responsibility and liability between parties. |
Data protection and privacyAI systems often rely on large volumes of data. We advise on data protection obligations, privacy risks, lawful use of personal data, international transfers and regulatory engagement. | Disputes involving AI technologiesWhere issues arise, we help clients navigate disputes involving AI systems, including questions around liability, contractual performance, data usage, intellectual property rights and regulatory enforcement. |
Intellectual property and licensingWe support clients with the ownership, protection and licensing of AI-related technologies, datasets, outputs and proprietary assets, helping to manage IP risks and maximise value. | Strategic implementation and governanceWe work with organisations embedding AI into their operations, helping to establish governance frameworks, policies, controls and decision-making processes that support responsible and effective adoption. |
We advise clients across sectors, from AI developers and technology providers to organisations integrating AI into their products, services and day-to-day operations. Whether deploying AI at scale, responding to new regulatory requirements or establishing governance frameworks, we provide practical, commercially focused advice to help clients move forward with confidence.
The future of AI at CMS
AI will continue to reshape the legal sector, and we are actively investing in the capabilities, technologies and expertise needed to stay ahead of this change.
Our focus includes:
- Expanding AI capabilities across practice areas – Embedding AI into legal and business services workflows to enhance efficiency, insight and client service.
- Developing tailored solutions for clients – Creating client-facing AI tools and solutions designed to address specific business and sector challenges.
- Enhancing productivity through AI-enabled workflows – Using AI to support our people in working more efficiently while maintaining quality, oversight and professional judgement.
- Exploring next-generation technologies – Assessing developments such as AI agents, intelligent automation and new generative AI capabilities.
- Collaborating with leading technology providers – Working closely with technology partners to evaluate emerging tools and bring the latest innovations into practice.
- Investing in research and experimentation – Continuously testing emerging technologies and exploring practical applications across the firm.
We see AI not as a one-off transformation, but as an ongoing evolution. By combining legal expertise, technology and innovation, we aim to help shape the future of legal services while delivering tangible benefits for our clients.
