Ballard Spahr Named a Finalist for Financial Times Innovative Lawyers Awards in Two Categories

Ballard Spahr has been shortlisted in two categories for the Financial Times prestigious Innovative Lawyers North America Awards 2021: Innovation in Data Analytics and Innovation in Diversity and Inclusion.

The annual awards recognize “the best in innovation from law firms” throughout North America. Winners will be announced during a virtual ceremony on December 9.

The nomination that earned a spot on the Innovation in Data Analytics shortlist focused on the firm’s Collaboration Dashboard, an internal platform designed to help enhance client relationships. The tool, part of the Ballard360 suite of proprietary technology applications, leverages cutting-edge data capture and analysis, melds it with information on interpersonal and institutional connections, and generates actionable insights that help build on existing relationships by proactively identifying current and future needs of existing and prospective clients. The Collaboration Dashboard was developed by the firm’s Client Value and Innovation Department in partnership with lawyers and staff across legal and administrative departments.

The nomination that earned a spot on the Innovation in Diversity and Inclusion shortlist focused on Ballard Spahr’s wide-ranging diversity initiative of more than 30 action items to address diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Components of the initiative, led by the firm’s Board, its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council, and its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Department, include a comprehensive, firm-wide Plan to Strengthen Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, issued by the Board; outreach to support Black lawyers and staff in the aftermath of George Floyd’s death; the Racial Justice and Equality Initiative pro bono litigation campaign, which includes the Diverse Journalists Pro Bono Initiative to provide representation to media outlets and content creators focused on and serving communities of color nationwide; fundraising efforts to support the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community during the pandemic in the face of a rise in anti-Asian incidents; and the Ballard360 Diversity Dashboard, which uses technology to advance the firm’s goals and client expectations.

For media inquiries, please contact Bill Shralow at 215.864.8195.