Addleshaws and A&O score top marks in new study highlighting IT best practice at law firms
New Legal Week research identifies best-performing firms for IT with survey of more than 3,500 fee earners
November 04, 2009 at 06:09 AM
3 minute read
Addleshaw Goddard and Allen & Overy (A&O) have emerged as standout performers in a major survey measuring the quality of IT in the UK's leading business law firms.
The pair – along with 10 other law firms – have been awarded a Best Legal Technology kitemark by Legal Week's research arm, Legal Week Intelligence, following the publication of its annual IT report.
The report is based on feedback from more than 3,500 fee earners and ranks law firms against a range of criteria designed to measure the overall effectiveness of IT.
Addleshaws' first place ranking reflects a consistent performance over the five years since the report was first published. Its highest individual rating was for the speed of its systems. It also scored highly for the quality of its website and it environmental policies.
A&O, which ranked second, produced standout ratings for the speed, reliability and security of its systems.
In all, 33 law firms featured in the report, with only those firms securing a top five ranking in their category – international, City or national – eligible for a Best Legal Technology quality mark.
Other law firms to have secured the kitemark include Norton Rose, which stood out for the support it provides for its BlackBerrys, and Linklaters, which also excelled in the provision of mobile working facilities for staff.
As well as ranking individual law firms, the report also highlights major trends within legal technology. A key finding was that law firms have managed to maintain the quality of their existing IT despite the unprecedented cost-cutting that has taken place over the last 12 months.
However, the report also highlights concerns among fee earners about the quality of client-facing systems, including extranets and e-billing.
Andrew Dey, head of operations at Barclays Legal, commented: "As an increasing number of firms offer very similar online systems to their clients, solutions that have been used in the past no longer differentiate one firm from another."
Andrew Powell (pictured above), director of IT at Nabarro, added: "People are having some creative moments and trying to think in an innovative way about client engagement. As a sector it is not something that law firms have focused on too heavily in the past when the priority has been increasing efficiency."
For more information, contact Paul Birk on 0207 316 9864 or email [email protected].
[asset_library_tag 373,Click here to download a report summary outlining the best performers.]
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