Nicole Ottmer Saunders
Deputy General Counsel, Accenture Federal Services
By championing a culture of innovation, Nicole Ottmer Saunders spearheaded the reinvention of Accenture Federal Services’ legal team.
Today, the company is strategically integrating advanced technologies, including AI, to automate routine processes and deliver more sophisticated, data-driven legal insights. This transformation empowers attorneys to operate as true strategic advisors and ensures the legal function is a forward-thinking enabler of the business, not just a guardian, Saunders said.
“My priority has always been to build a culture where brilliant people feel empowered to challenge the status quo,” she added. “Our recent success in driving legal innovation is the direct result of that culture in action, brought to life by an exceptionally dedicated team. They make coming to work for the last 18 years a privilege, and they are the reason we will continue to lead from the front.”
Why Watch
In 2026, Saunders and her team are heavily focused on deepening their partnership to move at the speed of the business. They provide proactive, strategic direction on responsible AI principles, which is critical for driving innovation in the swiftly changing federal marketplace. Their goal is to transform legal and regulatory complexities into competitive advantages, ensuring Accenture Federal Services leads with both agility and integrity.
Accenture Federal Services’ mission is intrinsically linked to clients’ priorities of reducing costs and streamlining operations while delivering greater value and impact, she added.
“We are actively partnering with our federal clients to co-create and deploy technology-driven solutions, such as AI and advanced analytics, that directly target operational inefficiencies and drive down long-term costs,” Saunders said. “From a legal and compliance standpoint, our focus is on creating frameworks for responsible innovation that accelerate modernization efforts, ensuring our government partners can achieve their missions more securely and effectively.”
Deborah Ringel, general counsel for Accenture Federal Services, said Saunders’ transformative leadership combines unflappable legal skills with genuine business partnership.
“She’s grounded in integrity, empathy and pragmatism, and focuses on what’s right for our clients and people and then delivers,” Ringel said. “A champion of tech innovation and tools, she leads by example and, critically, inspires our team to amplify their impact and reinvent how they work. Her unwavering commitment empowers us all to achieve excellence and embrace change, ensuring our team remains forward-thinking and client focused.”
Fun fact: Saunders’ father was an Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps officer, providing legal services to the Army, soldiers and families. She grew up with a deep appreciation for the intersection of law and federal service. Those dinner-table conversations about contracts and regulations were her first lessons in the field — a foundational purpose that still drives her commitment to helping the business navigate its mission with integrity.