KPMG + CLM ContractPodAI Announce GenAI Alliance

CLM company ContractPodAi (CP) has formed a strategic alliance with KPMG. The Big Four firm will tap Leah, CP’s genAI platform for lawyers, for its expanding managed legal services capability. KPMG has also hired Andy Giverin earlier this summer, who previously worked in PwC’s NewLaw team, to grow this offering.

The plan is to serve clients in the US, UK, Germany and other key global markets with this capability. The move follows other alliances that CP has made recently with ALSPs.

In terms of where it will be used, KPMG’s managed legal services ‘will harness Leah’s capabilities to optimize legal operations, enhance data accuracy, and expedite high-volume tasks. Leah’s cutting-edge technology facilitates rapid analysis, review, creation, and management of legal documents through an array of perpetually evolving large language models’, they said.

To spearhead this innovative venture, KPMG has made two strategic hires: Giverin (as noted above) as Global Leader of Managed Legal Services, based in the UK; and Jeff Catanzaro as US Leader. Both of whom are well-known in this part of the legal market for their experience in serving inhouse teams.

‘We are excited about KPMG’s vision for the future state of managed legal services delivery. ContractPodAi has always aimed to revolutionize the way legal services are delivered and now we are transforming the industry as we know it,’ said Sarvarth Misra, CEO of ContractPodAi.

Giverin at KPMG, added: ‘Our strategy focuses on developing LegalTech solutions that enhance lawyer capabilities rather than replace them. We’re offering our clients a managed service that combines highly automated, swift contracting with the crucial element of human oversight – applying the right legal skills and judgment at the appropriate junctures. ContractPodAi’s Leah Intelligence platform is instrumental in helping us achieve this balance.’

Catanzaro, concluded: ‘Our strategic alliance with ContractPodAi provides us with a robust technology foundation, allowing us to manage complex, high-volume contracts more efficiently. By integrating Leah, we can streamline contract review, reduce administrative burdens, and minimize errors. This allows our clients to operate with greater agility, focus on strategic growth, and ultimately capture more value from their legal processes. These enhancements create measurable value for our clients, empowering them to move faster and smarter, enabling their businesses to thrive in a competitive environment.’

Is this a big deal? Yes, perhaps as much for KPMG as CP. This is because while PwC and EY have gone a bit quiet on managed services and NewLaw, their Big Four rival is now really going for it. One missing piece has perhaps been finding the right tech to help support the managed services team – but now, in CP’s Leah, they’ve found it. In turn, this will help drive fresh revenue into CP at a time of fierce competition between CLM companies. Overall an interesting move for both businesses.