DEC. 10, 2024 – Davis Wright Tremaine LLP was named the Standout firm for "Innovation in Digitizing Legal Practice" at the Financial Times Innovative Lawyers North America 2024 awards ceremony last night in New York.
The judges honored DWT for the firm's homegrown, AI-driven program, DWT Prose, which provides early-career lawyers and others with drafting support and on-demand coaching from the firm's most respected writers.
"Our clients are the world leaders in driving digital innovation through AI," said Jaime Drozd, managing partner at DWT. "They inspire us to advance efficiency and excellence by embracing new technologies, and always to do so responsibly, ethically, and in full compliance with our clients' directives. We are extremely proud to have our leadership in this area recognized by the FT."
DWT Prose has been trained on the style preferences and recommendations of distinguished DWT partners and enables associates to receive instant feedback and guidance on their briefs, contracts, and other work product. For each suggested edit, DWT Prose offers an explanation for why the change is recommended and links back to a writing sample that exemplifies the rule in question. Client preferences and customization are also embedded into DWT Prose, allowing for a faster, more cost-efficient work process.
"DWT Prose delivers operational efficiencies that are unique and significant," said Dan Szabo, the firm's director of enterprise projects. ""Partners save time—and get work product to clients faster—because they receive stronger initial drafts, while early-career attorneys gain new opportunities for skill-building and growth."
Yusuf Zakir, chief diversity, equity, and inclusion officer, collaborated with Szabo's team to design the program. "In a hybrid work world, we need to create new models for our lawyers to develop," said Zakir. "DWT Prose democratizes the learning process so that everyone can benefit from the guidance of our top writers."
DWT was the high scorer in the Digitizing Legal Practice category on all three award criteria: originality, leadership, and impact.
Overall, DWT placed among the top 30 firms on the FT's index of North American law firms, an in-depth assessment of success based on the following:
- Innovation: Originality, leadership, and impact of the firm's innovation initiatives.
- People: Investment in DEI and skills development for lawyers and staff.
- Digital: Use of data and technology to improve operations and better serve clients.
- Social Responsibility: Commitment to pro bono work, social impact, and ESG reporting.
- Growth: Revenue growth and profitability over the past three years.
The firm's placement on the FT success index (No. 27) is well ahead of the firm's national ranking by size (No. 91, per AmLaw).
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.