Nicole Benner is a strategic advisor and innovation leader with over 16 years of experience at the intersection of artificial intelligence, technology, and professional services. Based in Chicago, she serves as Strategic Advisor to DLA Piper's AI & Data Analytics Practice, where she helps shape the firm's strategy to deliver AI-related legal services and proprietary technologies to clients navigating rapid technological change.
In her role, Nicole focuses on two complementary areas: advancing the practice's innovation agenda through new service offerings and tech-enabled solutions, and strengthening the firm's internal capabilities through organizational change management and team leadership. She leads a team focused on operational excellence and delivery, ensuring the practice can meet the evolving needs of clients adopting AI at scale. Nicole partners with clients on strategic matters and serves as a resource to partners across the firm on AI strategy and implementation.
Her current work includes designing programs that help clients and practice areas reimagine how work gets done with AI, developing strategic approaches for serving Fortune 500 enterprises, and advising on the design of tech-enabled service offerings. Nicole also plays a central role in DLA Piper's firm-wide AI transformation, including the development and application of the firm's proprietary AI technologies such as PiperAI.
Prior to joining DLA Piper in November 2024, Nicole spent over 14 years at KPMG, where she held progressive leadership roles culminating as Technology Leader for KPMG Ignition. She advised C-level clients on AI strategy and adoption, led a team of 17 innovation consultants, and designed and launched KPMG's largest innovation hub in Chicago.
Nicole holds a Master of Accountancy Science and a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.
Nicole is not a lawyer.
