The Legal AI Index
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№ 04 · Tier 1 · Magic Circle and Top 10Accelerator

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer

Multi-frontier-model strategy. Google Cloud/Gemini for infrastructure and Workspace, plus a multi-year co-development partnership with Anthropic.

Platforms in use
Anthropic / ClaudeGoogle / Gemini
Proprietary tools and programmes
  • Dynamic Due Diligence (D3)

    Bespoke Freshfields Lab platform built on Gemini.

  • Case Management Platform

    Bespoke Freshfields Lab platform.

  • Multi-jurisdictional Insights Platform

    Bespoke Freshfields Lab platform.

  • Freshfields general AI platform

    Proprietary platform layer over multiple frontier models. Distributes Claude across 33 offices and 5,700 staff.

What is happening
  • ·Anthropic - multi-year collaboration announced 23 April 2026. Firmwide deployment of Claude across 33 offices and 5,700 staff. Claude usage grew ~500% in the first six weeks of pilot.
  • ·Co-development programme building legal-focused AI applications and agentic workflows. Early access to future Anthropic models including Cowork.
  • ·Anthropic's in-house legal team will use Freshfields services as part of the agreement.
  • ·12 May 2026: Anthropic launches 'Claude for Legal' (12 practice-area plugins, 20+ software integrations, 80+ managed agents). Freshfields named alongside Quinn Emanuel and Holland & Knight as a reference firm using Claude on live matters.
  • ·Google Cloud - strategic partnership announced April 2025. As of April 2026, 5,000+ professionals use AI tools built on Gemini daily.
  • ·NotebookLM Enterprise - 2,100+ regular users with CMEK encryption.
  • ·Google Workspace migration (2,800+ users) - the really distinctive move; most large firms are deeply embedded in Microsoft 365.
  • ·Vertex AI and Agentspace used to build custom AI agents.
  • ·AI Champions programme - 260 internal champions delivering training through a bespoke AI Academy.
Verdict

The clearest example of a multi-frontier-model strategy at the Magic Circle. Rather than picking one external legal AI platform like A&O (Harvey), Linklaters (Legora) or Slaughter and May (Harvey), Freshfields has gone direct to two of the leading frontier model providers and built its own platform layer on top.

Sources