The firm has been awarded 'Most Innovative Law Firm' in the 'Resourcing and Efficiency' category for the work it has done in delivering a unique business model for Microsoft.
Managed in conjunction with US law firm, Davis Wright Tremaine, the dual firm solution offered multi-jurisdictional time-zone support while operating as one service provider to Microsoft. Microsoft has seen tangible financial and legal benefits as a result of the scheme.
The Financial Times said: "The firm in collaboration with US firm DWT, handles 10% of Microsoft's Global Procurement contracts. Lawyers now deal with fixed fee and have managed to cut costs for the company from an average of $302 per hour to $237 within a year. The firm also creates bespoke analytics so the in-house team can better manage demands for legal support. Microsoft, considers this the next stage in outsourcing legal work."
The Addleshaw Goddard team was led by Georgina Powling. Will James, Addleshaw Goddard client relationship partner for Microsoft, said:
"Microsoft set us the challenge of delivering legal services more effectively and to demonstrate continuing improvement and efficiency; We are very proud to have partnered with them and US firm Davis Wright Tremaine in achieving this and to be recognised in this way. Fundamental to this success is looking at the way you restructure and redesign existing processes and systems to cope with new demands and make your existing boat sail better - innovation in this context meant investment in people and process not just buying shiny new kit."
Addleshaw Goddard was named 6th Most Innovative Law Firm of the Year at the awards, receiving four highly commended awards, one commended, two individual commended rankings and one highlight for 'Young Innovators' – further details of the awards can be seen on the Financial Times website:
- Innovation in Resourcing & Efficiency - National Grid & AG - highly commended for its work creating a HighQ platform to deal with the transfer of 15,000 properties.
- Innovation in Human Resource - highly commended for the Returner Programme
- Innovation in Strategic Collaboration for Clients - highly commended for creating a unique employee stock ownership plan to provide the client with the flexibility to widen the staff ownership structure to achieve further engagement (commended: Jonathan Cheney)
- Innovation in Navigating Regulation - highly commended for the social housing funding work where the firm drafted new legislation for the Government (commended: Daniel Redstone)
- Innovation in Technology & Data Analytics - commended for the 'AG In-Form' programme, which delivers detailed financial data to lawyers
- Kerry Westland highlighted as one of the 'Young Legal Innovators of the Year'
