Kennedys Appoints Global CIO From Baker McKenzie

Why It Matters

The CIO appointment signals Kennedys’ commitment to a technology‑driven strategy, essential for competitive advantage in the evolving legal services market.

Key Takeaways

• Milan Devani joins Kennedys as global CIO.
• 26-year Baker McKenzie tenure, cloud transformation expert.
• Focus on IT modernization and security.
• Complements recent senior appointments and tech partnerships.
• Enhances Kennedys' legal‑tech innovation agenda.

Pulse Analysis

The appointment of Milan Devani as Kennedys’ global chief information officer underscores the accelerating digital shift within the legal services sector. After a 26‑year career at Baker McKenzie, where he spent 14 years steering global infrastructure and large‑scale cloud migrations, Devani brings a rare blend of technology leadership and deep legal‑IT expertise. Law firms are increasingly recruiting seasoned CIOs to replace legacy IT models with agile, secure platforms, and Devani’s track record positions Kennedys to compete more effectively in a market where technology is a differentiator.

Devani’s mandate aligns with Kennedys’ recent wave of senior‑level appointments and strategic technology collaborations. The firm has already secured a partnership with NATO’s DIANA Legal Connect network, delivering legal counsel for dual‑use defence technologies, and teamed with AI platform Spellbook to train junior lawyers. Together with new COO Tracy Watkinson, CFO Laura Koller and chief knowledge officer Catherine Goodman, Devani will oversee a unified roadmap that modernises legacy systems, strengthens information‑security protocols, and expands cloud‑first services across the firm’s 45 offices in 18 countries.

By bolstering its technology leadership, Kennedys aims to protect client data while delivering faster, more cost‑effective services—a critical advantage as competitors race toward AI‑driven solutions and remote collaboration tools. Secure cloud environments and robust cybersecurity frameworks are becoming non‑negotiable requirements for multinational law firms handling sensitive information. Devani’s experience in large‑scale cloud transformation positions Kennedys to meet these expectations, potentially attracting new corporate clients and reinforcing its reputation as an innovative, technology‑forward legal provider. The move also signals to investors that Kennedys is committed to long‑term digital resilience.