Past Winners
winners 2004
In January 2004, the InnovAction awards honored four law firms for excellence and ingenuity in the management of legal services.
In Glasgow, Scotland, the global firm Masons was named in the category of “Market Disruptors” for its 5,000-page web site, OUT-LAW, which targets the IT and e-commerce industries. OUT-LAW includes a print magazine with a readership of 27,000; an extranet-supported retainer arrangement for businesses too small to have in-house legal counsel; and OUT-LAW Compliance, a comprehensive legal review of web sites.
"We were delighted to win the InnovAction Award in 2004. It was the first time we had won an international award for OUT-LAW.COM, the IT and e-commerce legal service of Pinsent Masons. We'll enter again."
- Struan Robertson
Associate, Pinsent Masons, and Editor, OUT-LAW.COM & AboutCookies.org
Two of the four firms were honored as “Leader Ships” for their innovative action in improving internal management or firm efficiency.
In Des Moines, IA, The Law Chambers of Nicholas Critelli, P.C., was recognized for work space that does away with individual lawyer offices. Each of seven “studios” is wired with an internal video cable network and each studio is designed to represent one of seven general tasks common to litigation practice. Critelli is a litigation boutique that includes both US lawyers and UK barristers.
"Receipt of the InnovAction Award has confirmed for us that the Law Chambers of Nicholas Critelli, P.C., is a world leader on the merging of technology and the legal practice. Our utilization of computer technology and unique law office layout has allowed us, a small boutique law firm, to be more than competitive in today's legal environment. We once again extend an offer to other law firms and legal practitioners to come and see our law office for themselves in hopes that they may be able to use some of our ideas in their own practice."
- N. Tre Critelli, Barrister & Trial Lawyer
In Birmingham, England, Wragge & Co. was honored for pioneering cost accountability. Wragge & Co. filed a patent application for its remarkable fee prediction and transaction management system that costs legal matters scientifically, calculates staffing needs, predicts the number of hours and the seniority of lawyers required, and helps manage the transaction process.
In Philadelphia, PA, the multi-office Blank Rome LLP was honored in the category of "Knowledge Stars" for a program that integrates training components, including Connections, a formal mentoring program; learning aids such as “Find It,” which is a hand-held library research tool; a “Tip-Bit” Program that prints technology information on candy bars; and a board game called “Anatomy of a Matter.”
"Since receiving the InnovAction Award, Blank Rome LLP has been recognized in many legal industry publications as a forward thinking, innovative firm that invests in the professional development of its attorneys and staff. The accolade from the College of Law Practice Management and Edge International has legitimized our new methods, reducing the natural skepticism inherent in new approaches. And, the award encourages us to continue to be creative."
-Joyce Keene
Director of Professional Development and Training, Blank Rome LLP
Glyn Morris and Derek Southall of Wragge accept their InnovAction award in 2004.
