Page 93 - NYLJ Professional Excellence 2021

INNOVATION AWARDS

Shearman & Sterling in requests for recorded sessions and
practice group demos.
RESPONSES PREPARED BY GLENN LAFORCE,
What is the best advice for younger
DIRECTOR, GLOBAL KNOWLEDGE & RESEARCH, AT THE FIRM.
attorneys looking to advance their
own innovative ideas or visions?
Q&A What are some of the firm’s reduce time and cost on manual language Attorneys understand the inefficiencies
translation, while retaining the ability
that permeate their workflow but are
most satisfying successes
of the past year and why? Shearman to train the algorithm for enhanced often too busy to devise a solution. By
& Sterling has experience adapting and accuracy. logging the inefficiencies encountered
responding quickly to emerging situa- in your own life, mapping out existing
tions while keeping clients top of mind, What, if any, boundaries stood in processes, and asking others about their
which was highlighted by our innova- the way of the firm’s innovative struggles with existing processes, you
tive response to COVID-19. accomplishment, and how were they can find out why things are done the
From our COVID-19 Task Force and surmounted? Post-COVID-19 remote- way they are. If you discover that a pro-
COVID-19 Resource Center, through working arrangements posed new cess is done a certain way “because it’s
which we published 140 pieces of challenges to the design and delivery always been done that way,” it is ripe
thought leadership and presented 24+ of the global Shearman Innovate pro- for innovation.
partner-led webinars, to our Global gram. The firm sought to increase aware- The next step is to think about how
COVID-19 Legislation Tool, an app ness and adoption of legal tech tools automation and technology can play
we developed that provides daily by stepping up in-person training to a role. Identify the repeatable aspects
legislative updates to COVID-19 glob- meet client demand that law firms use of the process or where patterns are
ally, and our COVID-19 Relief Efforts, technology more effectively to deliver sought in information. Figuring out
of which included the launch of a firm- services. where AI and machine learning can be
wide global pro bono and community To meet the challenge, Shearman used to extract information, and reserv-
service initiative—our ability to pivot Innovate was launched as a practice- ing analysis for lawyers is a huge leap
and proactively identify opportunities focused, weekly series of live half-hour forward in efficiency and innovation.
when faced with challenges allowed TED-style virtual talks based on design Develop a minimal viable product to
us to provide the best representa- inputs from lawyers, the client value test your idea and determine how it
tion to our clients during this unprec- team and external vendors. fits within the existing legal workflow.
edented time was a big success for the Shearman Innovate had no allocated Finally, never underestimate the pow-
firm. budget and was delivered within the erful cultural change that is necessary
Another satisfying success came in planned eight weeks with no delays. for adoption of innovation. Know your
our commitment to staying ahead of our Significant benefits as a direct result of audience and speak to them frequently.
competitors. the series included increased collabora- Address their objections and concerns.
For the past year Shearman & Sterling tion, increased attendance by lawyers Appreciate that while some won’t see
has been an early adopter of machine for virtual events, a notable increase value in your idea, others may find it to
translation portal SDL to significantly in product adoption, and an increase be a gamechanger.

Photos: Ryland West/ALM; Shearman | October 2021 91