DEC. 7, 2022 – In rankings released this week, the Financial Times included Davis Wright Tremaine LLP among North America's most innovative law firms, recognizing the firm's success in adapting to changing client needs.
The FT's 2022 North America Innovative Lawyers report also named Davis Wright litigator Bonnie MacNaughton one of ten finalists for "Most Innovative Practitioner" and named the firm a finalist in the category of "Innovation in Responsible Business."
"The industries we serve are in a period of intense transformation and clients look to us to help lead them through it," said Scott MacCormack, managing partner at Davis Wright. "With the combined creativity and diverse skills of our lawyers, technology professionals, knowledge management experts, and many other contributors firmwide, we'll continue working daily to make clients' lives easier and to clear a path for their success and ours."
The FT's law firm index provides a holistic assessment of law firm success based on the following criteria:
- Originality, leadership, and impact of the firm's innovation initiatives.
- Policies to retain talent and support diversity.
- Use of data and technology to improve operations and better serve clients.
- Commitment to pro bono work, social responsibility, and ESG reporting.
- Revenue growth and profitability over the past four years.
Davis Wright was placed at No. 21 overall on the index—considerably ahead of its AmLaw size ranking (No. 89).
MacNaughton was recognized for founding and leading Davis Wright's cybercrime practice. Drawing on an international, multidisciplinary team, the practice helps clients—including several of the world's largest technology companies—protect their customers and their brands from the malicious activities of elusive cybercriminals. The team has negotiated settlements in the tens of millions of dollars and obtained numerous injunctions shutting down illegal activity.
"Cybercrime damages companies' reputations and victimizes their customers," said Rob Maguire, co-chair of the litigation practice group at Davis Wright. "But tackling it can be overwhelming for in-house counsel. Bonnie's team relieves this burden, at scale, with a range of continuously evolving techniques to hold internet fraudsters accountable."
The "Innovation in Responsible Business" category recognized the success of Davis Wright's Tech Equity Hub. An initiative of Project W, the Hub is an annual, 12-week accelerator for Black women and Latina founders providing support, connections, cash grants, and operational expertise to help them achieve funding.
"The lack of equitable funding opportunities for under-represented entrepreneurs—and especially women of color—is an important driver of the large and growing wealth gap in our country," said Lynn Loacker, founder and managing director of Project W. "The outcomes from the Tech Equity Hub have been remarkable and clearly show its effectiveness. These founders are building solutions that will improve people's lives and the health of our planet, and we all stand to benefit from their success."
Other Davis Wright innovations reviewed by the FT include:
- an alternative staffing program called DWTSurge that helps clients manage swings in capacity;
- a just-in-time notification service that alerts new Davis Wright attorneys to a client's billing needs and preferences before they record time;
- a flexible-workspace reservation system built entirely in-house; and
- the "Gateway to Good," a first-of-its-kind platform connecting in-house counsel with Davis Wright-sponsored pro bono matters and opportunities.
The North American Innovative Lawyers report is produced by the FT in partnership with the legal industry think tank RSGI Limited.
About Davis Wright Tremaine
Davis Wright Tremaine LLP is an AmLaw 100 law firm with more than 600 lawyers representing clients based throughout the United States and around the world. Learn more at www.dwt.com.