International law firm Simmons & Simmons has been recognised at the European Financial Times Innovative Lawyer Awards 2021, receiving the award for Innovation in People and Skills.
The FT Innovative Lawyer Awards seek to champion law firms who are using pioneering legal technology to service their clients and communities. Simmons was recognised for its collaboration with HighNetWork, an app which uses nudge theory to drive relationship management and sales coaching skills amongst Simmons’ lawyers. The app is highly adaptable and lawyers can engage for as little as six minutes a day, depending on how much time they want to focus on enhancing their business development skills.
The Simmons team responsible for implementing HighNetWork was led by head of practices and markets Owen Williams, supported by head of HR operations, Anna Carrier and IT project manager Natalie Brown. Owen, Anna and Natalie worked closely with HighNetWork CEO Anne Marcotty and her team to establish the app as the cornerstone of business development training for Simmons lawyers.
Commenting on the firm’s first win in this category at the FT Awards, Owen said: "Being recognised in this process is a true reflection of how our approach to continuous training and development really is innovative. Since our partnership with HighNetWork in June 2020, we’ve seen lawyers at all levels engaging with their business development skills in a constructive way. This has meant that not only are our lawyers equipped with the legal knowhow to understand and anticipate client needs, they also have the tools to articulate the range of solutions we have to offer. Congratulations to the Simmons team who embedded HighNetWork so seamlessly into the fabric of the firm.".
Simmons was also shortlisted in the Innovation in Diversity & Inclusion, Innovative Change Maker, Innovation in Digital Law and Most Innovative Firm in Europe categories for 2021.