Shoosmiths scoops four awards for client excellence, innovation and tech at the Managing Partners’ Forum Awards

Law firm Shoosmiths was recognised for excellence in client service, innovation and technology solutions by winning four awards at the 2022 Managing Partners’ Forum awards on 15 June.

The panel of independent judges were impressed by Shoosmiths’ unique and effective approach to delivering excellence in helping clients achieve their non-legal goals, with the firm winning ‘Best Enhanced Solutions for Clients’ in the client theme section.

Shoosmiths gave examples of the work it had undertaken, including: mentoring the head of legal at a large group of companies; helping an in-house legal team at a car manufacturer set up an internship programme focusing on diversity and social mobility; improving the internal profile of an in-house legal team of an international logistics company; and setting up a portal for panel firms to share information for a large veterinary group.

The firm also won ‘Best Strategic Reimagination’ in the business theme section for a submission which focused on how Shoosmiths is becoming the law firm of the future and trailblazing innovation. In March 2021, the firm launched a new business stream called Shoosmiths EIGHT Connected Services which provides innovative, non-legal solutions to support clients’ needs and helps them work smarter, faster and better. The submission noted how products within Shoosmiths EIGHT Connected Services had positively impacted in-house teams, giving numerous examples.

Shoosmiths won ‘Best New Solutions for Clients’ in the client theme section in recognition of the difference its artificial intelligence (AI) contract review tool Cia® has made to clients, saving them time and money. Judges noted Cia® as a market disruptor. Extensive training has rendered the tool unique in the market with accuracy levels exceeding 96%.

Shoosmiths then went on to win the overall Client theme section for its ‘Best Enhanced Solutions for Clients’ submission.

Peter Duff, chairperson at Shoosmiths, said of the wins: “It has been a momentous year for Shoosmiths and it’s fantastic to be recognised for all of the incredible initiatives we’ve developed and launched.

“We are always looking for new ways of supporting our clients, through innovative means that make a real difference to their teams and day-to-day working lives. We sit down with clients, we talk extensively, but most importantly, we listen and act on what we hear. We know who we are as a firm – we know we are unique, in particular in respect to the way we do these things.”

Tony Randle, partner and head of client strategy, said: “We launched Shoosmiths EIGHT Connected Services because we want to provide our clients with all the tools to work smarter, faster and better in the new normal. We have demonstrated how that has happened, and importantly how Shoosmiths remains a pioneer in the delivery of this sort of innovation in the legal industry and is developing new products all of the time.

“I’m proud of what has been achieved collectively in launching Shoosmiths EIGHT Connected Services and ensuring its success, including all of the ingenuity, innovation and hard work that has gone into making products such as AI contract review tool Cia® market leading.”

Last year, Shoosmiths won ‘Best Operational Continuity’ (Business theme) and ‘Best Shared Learning with Clients’, for the firm’s ability to catalyse LegalTech, pioneer new communications strategies and implement new ways of working (the Working Principles); and for mobilising a cross-firm team to launch a ‘Shared & Halved’ initiative, supplying clients quickly with information through a range of accessible sources throughout the pandemic.