Uche Ikeme
Parkville
Summary
Strategic Associate General Counsel, adept at navigating complex legal frameworks with high productivity and efficiency. Possess specialized skills in contract negotiation, intellectual property law, and compliance management. Excel in leveraging analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and communication skills to achieve organizational objectives.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Associate General Counsel and Director
Cognizant Technologies Solutions
Plano
11.2022 - Current
- Assisted in drafting legal documents, managed services and technology outsourcing agreements for various projects and initiatives.
- Conducted research on compliance regulations and legal best practices.
- Managed outside counsel in connection with litigation matters; developed strategy for dispute resolution.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of industry trends related to the organization's line of business.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to address legal inquiries and concerns.
- Responsible for the review and drafting of data privacy agreements, standard clauses governed by GDPR, CCPA and similar consumer protections, data privacy and personal information protection laws.
- Manage a team of lawyers (onshore and offshore)that support the business vertical through managed services and professional service deals in upwards of 150M to 1BN in revenue.
- Provide strategic legal advice to senior management, while mitigating potential risks and ensuring adherence to both local and international regulations.
Senior Corporate Counsel
Jenzabar, Inc.
Boston
03.2021 - 10.2022
- Reviewed and drafted SaaS, Managed Service agreements as well as other information technology outsourcing agreements including intellectual property, confidentiality, and non-disclosure agreements. My tenure at Jenzabar saw me navigating complex legal challenges and spearheading significant negotiations that bolstered the company's compliance and operational efficiency.
Senior Counsel
NTT America, Inc. (via Dimension Data, Inc. acquisition)
09.2017 - 03.2021
- Actively supported and led the negotiations for Dimension Data/NTT Products & Professional Services (e.g., Cloud, Cyber Security, all Managed Services, and Infrastructure Outsourcing) as well as products (e.g., Cisco and Oracle), with combined revenues ranging from 10M to100M+.
- Reviewed and drafted Managed Service agreements as well as other information technology outsourcing agreements including intellectual property, confidentiality, and non-disclosure agreements.
America’s Lead for Commercial Contracts
DXC Technology Inc. fka Computer Sciences Corporation
Tysons
03.2017 - 08.2017
- Led the Commercial Transactions Team through the HPE/CSC merger and transition to United Lex.
- Managed a team of 40+, Contract Professionals and Attorneys who supported internal and external clients with negotiations as well as legal and compliance related issues.
- Advised C-Level leadership on account matters while driving the strategic direction and the growth of the business.
- Assisted in ensuring compliance with Country, State and Local laws.
- Post-merger led the strategic reorganization of the Contracts & Legal team.
- Supported deals ranging from 10M to 100M +.
- Drafted, reviewed, and redlined various contractual agreements.
- Subject Matter Expert and leader for the company’s most critical negotiations with executive level visibility.
Senior Manager Legal & Contracting
Computer Sciences Corporation
02.2012 - 03.2017
- Supported and worked with CSC Alliance Partners. This included leading the negotiations and drafting of various alliance agreements.
- Served as a lead negotiator for strategic negotiations and customer disputes.
- Managed a team of onshore and offshore (10) Contract Professionals.
- Managed legal and contract issues on CSC’s client accounts, while supporting Senior Level Executives in reviewing, drafting, and negotiating of technology agreements.
- Implemented corporate compliance policies for internal CSC clients.
- Ensured contract teams monitored and reported contractual obligations.
- Drafted contractual amendments to Master Technology Service Agreements.
- Provided contractual interpretations to the business team.
- Researched and advised the business team on contractual matters and their business impact.
- Advised senior level executives on issues related to Data Privacy and Cyber Security.
- Implemented Best Practice policies for CSC client(s) related to commercial and contract business activities.
- Managed and advised the business on internal labor and employment as well as human resources issues.
- Supported CSC’s strategic business units – Cloud, Big Data & Cyber Security.
Senior Associate
Accenture LLP
Philadelphia
06.2008 - 02.2012
- Company Overview: Pharmaceutical and Financial Services Vertical
- Reviewed and assisted in drafting agreements, including outsourcing agreements, confidentiality agreements, statements of work, licensing agreements and information technology consulting agreements.
- Researched laws to ensure engagement team followed both domestic and international laws, including Federal Tax Laws, Sarbanes-Oxley, European Union, and Export Compliance Laws.
- Worked with and maintained successful relationships with Senior Level Executives.
- Developed a high degree of contract awareness among the Accenture team.
- Supported negotiations and contract formation activities.
- Managed and resolved contract issues and oversaw the contract day-to-day activities while advising on the strategic direction, contract interpretation and consequences of action/inaction.
- Provided guidance on intellectual property and sourcing strategies.
- Counseled business team to promote compliance with Accenture’s policies.
- Worked with project management team to ensure timely delivery of project deliverables.
- Pharmaceutical and Financial Services Vertical
Director of Compliance and Contract Management
Philadelphia Safe and Sound
Philadelphia
08.2006 - 06.2008
- A non-profit supported by the City of Philadelphia Mayor’s Office - Managed and directed drafting, negotiation, and compliance of federal, state, and local contractual agreements, between the Department of Human Services, City of Philadelphia Mayor’s Office, Political Organizations, Non-Profits, as well as For-Profit Service Provider.
- Ensured fiscal and invoice compliance of all contractual agreements and budgets.
- Managed and directed outside Legal Counsel on contractual liability and various legal matters.
- Implemented and researched technology used to ensure accuracy and efficiency within the Compliance and Contract Departments.
- Managed fiscal and forensic audits of all providers.
- Drafted all Request for Proposals and Request for Qualifications.
- Created, hired, and supervised the Contract and Compliance department.
- Managed a staff consisting of seven contract and financial professionals.
Judicial Law Clerk
Superior Court of New Jersey
Mount Holly
08.2005 - 08.2006
- Company Overview: Civil Division
- Researched New Jersey law related to breach of contract and insurance defense claims.
- Drafted legal opinions and memorandum involving civil cases.
- Provided legal research and writing assistance.
- Managed various procedural issues at various stages of proceedings.
- Drafted proposed findings of facts and conclusions of law.
- Conducted research and assisted in case management projects.
- Completed mediation training and mediated multiple civil cases for the New Jersey Judiciary.
- Civil Division
Associate
The United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Manhattan
09.2004 - 05.2005
- Assisted in litigation research involving strategic federal/high profile cases (EEOC v. Morgan Stanley).
- Researched case law and drafted legal memoranda pertaining to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
- Assisted in legal research and discovery matters on employment discrimination claims of Fortune 100 companies.
Legal Associate
Pfizer Pharmaceuticals
Manhattan
06.2003 - 09.2003
- Company Overview: Legal Fellowship with In-House Counsel
- Completed legal research involving the U.S. Counsel for International Business and European Union.
- Assisted in document review for the law firm of Davis, Polk, and Wardwell.
- Completed assignments within Pfizer’s Labor and Employment and International Law departments.
- Researched case law involving Sarbanes Oxley act, as well as other state and federal employment law issues.
- Researched, compiled, and presented a Diversity Initiative to General Counsel and current CEO of Pfizer Inc.
- Toured clinical research facilities of major research institutions and Fortune 100 pharmaceutical companies.
- Identified potential risks and issues associated with clinical research and pharmaceutical distribution agreements.
- Assisted Senior Counsel in reviewing pharmaceutical distribution agreements.
- Legal Fellowship with In-House Counsel
Assistant for Constituent Services
City of Philadelphia’s Mayor’s Office
Philadelphia
02.2000 - 08.2002
- Worked with all major Philadelphia city offices, authorities, and departments, including but not limited to the Philadelphia Law Department, License and Inspections, Philadelphia Housing Authority, Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, Office of the Managing Director, and Philadelphia City Council to assist citizens of Philadelphia on behalf of Mayor John F. Street’s administration.
Director and Associate General Counsel of Insurance & Communications
Cognizant, Inc.
- Vertical Attorney for Insurance. Responsible for the review and drafting of data privacy agreements, standard clauses governed by GDPR, CCPA and similar consumer protections, data privacy and personal information protection laws. Worked with and managed nearshore and global teams. Drafted Managed service agreements, confidentiality agreements and non-disclosure agreements.
- Vertical Lead for Communications and Media. I manage a team of lawyers that help support the business vertical by supporting managed services and professional service deals in upwards of 150M plus revenue. My role includes providing strategic legal advice to senior management, mitigating potential risks, and ensuring adherence to both local and international regulations. I also play a pivotal role in contract negotiations, securing favorable terms that align with the company's business goals.
Education
J.D. -
Hofstra University School of Law
Hempstead, NYB.S. - Political Science
Saint Joseph’s University
Philadelphia, PACyber Security Law and Policy Certification -
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PASkills
- Business Strategy and Development
- Intellectual Property
- Corporate Governance
- Foreign and Domestic Laws
- Regulatory Compliance
- Tax and Banking Finance Law
- Employment and Corporate Law
- Transactional Law
- Contract negotiation
- Data privacy compliance
- Intellectual property management
- Risk mitigation
- Client relationship management
- Team leadership
Bar Admission
New Jersey, 2006
Externships Fellowships
- The United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Externship, Manhattan, NY, 09/01/04, 05/31/05, Assisted in litigation research involving strategic federal/high profile cases (EEOC v. Morgan Stanley)., Researched case law and drafted legal memoranda pertaining to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964., Assisted in legal research and discovery matters on employment discrimination claims of Fortune 100 companies.
- Pfizer Pharmaceuticals’ Legal Fellowship with In-House Counsel, Legal Associate, Manhattan, NY, 06/01/03, 09/30/03, Completed legal research involving the U.S. Counsel for International Business and European Union., Assisted in document review for the law firm of Davis, Polk, and Wardwell., Completed assignments within Pfizer’s Labor and Employment and International Law departments., Researched case law involving Sarbanes Oxley act, as well as other state and federal employment law issues., Researched, compiled, and presented a Diversity Initiative to General Counsel and current CEO of Pfizer Inc., Toured clinical research facilities of major research institutions and Fortune 100 pharmaceutical companies., Identified potential risks and issues associated with clinical research and pharmaceutical distribution agreements., Assisted Senior Counsel in reviewing pharmaceutical distribution agreements.
- City of Philadelphia’s Mayor’s Office, Assistant for Constituent Services, Philadelphia, PA, 02/01/00, 08/31/02, Worked with all major Philadelphia city offices, authorities, and departments, including but not limited to the Philadelphia Law Department, License and Inspections, Philadelphia Housing Authority, Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, Office of the Managing Director, and Philadelphia City Council to assist citizens of Philadelphia on behalf of Mayor John F. Street’s administration.
Timeline
Associate General Counsel and Director
Cognizant Technologies Solutions
11.2022 - Current
Senior Corporate Counsel
Jenzabar, Inc.
03.2021 - 10.2022
Senior Counsel
NTT America, Inc. (via Dimension Data, Inc. acquisition)
09.2017 - 03.2021
America’s Lead for Commercial Contracts
DXC Technology Inc. fka Computer Sciences Corporation
03.2017 - 08.2017
Senior Manager Legal & Contracting
Computer Sciences Corporation
02.2012 - 03.2017
Senior Associate
Accenture LLP
06.2008 - 02.2012
Director of Compliance and Contract Management
Philadelphia Safe and Sound
08.2006 - 06.2008
Judicial Law Clerk
Superior Court of New Jersey
08.2005 - 08.2006
Associate
The United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
09.2004 - 05.2005
Legal Associate
Pfizer Pharmaceuticals
06.2003 - 09.2003
Assistant for Constituent Services
City of Philadelphia’s Mayor’s Office
02.2000 - 08.2002
Director and Associate General Counsel of Insurance & Communications
Cognizant, Inc.
J.D. -
Hofstra University School of Law
B.S. - Political Science
Saint Joseph’s University
Cyber Security Law and Policy Certification -
Drexel University