Ballard Spahr Client Value and Innovation Program Named a Finalist for American Lawyer Industry Awards

Ballard Spahr’s Client Value and Innovation Department is a finalist in two categories of the 2022 American Lawyer Industry Awards. The designations are in recognition of the team’s customized, tech-driven business solutions, which add value to firm legal services through enhanced efficiency, transparency, and collaboration.

Each year, The American Lawyer monthly magazine and website honors outstanding achievements in the legal profession through its Industry Awards, which also “celebrate ways in which the profession is innovating and better meeting client needs.” The awards will be announced in New York on Nov. 10.

Award finalists are “only the best of a stellar crop” of hundreds of nomination submissions. Ballard Spahr’s Client Value and Innovation (CVI) program was selected as a finalist in the “Best Business Team” and “Best Use of Technology” categories.

Led by Chief Client Value and Innovation Officer Melissa Prince, the CVI team comprises more than 25 business and technology professionals across software development, data science, business operations, and finance—including several who are former practicing attorneys. Working with Ballard Spahr lawyers, the team has developed some of the most innovative client and practice technology in the industry, powered by machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI). These applications include user-friendly dashboards that track and display information customized for client needs, such as the recently announced LicenSync business license and registration compliance tracker.

The team’s efforts—which stem from low-code technology development to data management and business intelligence, legal project management, and strategic pricing—save clients time, money, and effort while producing outstanding results and building stronger client relationships that benefit the firm as well.

Ballard Spahr’s Best Use of Technology entry focuses on an automated “scorecard,” which the CVI team developed in consultation with lawyers and firm business leaders that supports and simplifies partner efforts to maintain and develop business. The tool generates a single, numeric metric—similar to a credit score—that provides a real-time snapshot of the attorney’s business. From there, the user can drill down for more detail as needed through an easy-to-use interface that automatically suggests areas for business enhancement.

“It’s tremendously gratifying to see how the solutions we have developed, in close consultation with partners and their clients, have made a positive difference for both,” Ms. Prince said. “We’re glad the word is getting out that we’re helping more and more clients by continually finding ways to refine, improve, and increase the value we deliver.”

For media inquiries, please contact Bill Shralow at 215.864.8195.