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2011 Lawyers Weekly Awards: Innovation at Advent Lawyers earns top gong
The founder of new model law firm Advent Lawyers has taken out the Phillips Box-Breaker Award at the 2011 Lawyers Weekly Awards, sponsored by Bentley Motors, at a gala ceremony held at the…
The founder of new model law firm Advent Lawyers has taken out the Phillips Box-Breaker Award at the 2011 Lawyers Weekly Awards, sponsored by Bentley Motors, at a gala ceremony held at the Sydney Opera House on Thursday night.
Advent's business model looks to provide experienced lawyers at a significantly reduced cost to small and entrepreneurial companies, and the firm has signed a strategic alliance with a well-known global legal process outsourcing company.
Judges said Knox's dedication to setting up Advent in Australia, which is "a cost effective alternative to traditional law firms based on Axiom Legal in the US", was highly commendable.
Innovation is about making a commercial success of an idea, not just having an idea or seeing an opportunity to use an idea, said the judges.
"The impact of the 'box breaking' business model is seen in the growth and expansion of Advent's practice including the opening of an overseas office and an alliance with another leading provider of legal outsourcing services," said one judge.
"The fact that there are now other similar 'outsource' in-house counsel providers in Australia (including another nominee for this award) is further testament to the impact of the innovation on the legal industry."
Nominees were judged on their innovation, problem-solving capabilities and their creative solutions that aid in providing better client service.
The judges awarded a highly commended to the managing director of Bespoke Law, Jeremy Szwider, who, after practising as an IP and IT lawyer, started Bespoke Law in April 2009. Szwider offers the service of a "virtual law firm" with varied methods of client communications and has also established a business model that provides for alternative fee arrangements, designed an outsourced in-house counsel service, and operates in a paperless environment.
The other finalists were Tom Haslam, chief innovation officer at Herbert Geer and Jane Hogan, head of knowledge at Gilbert + Tobin.
Read more about the achievements of the 2011 Box-Breaker finalists
>> Meet the 2011 Lawyers Weekly Awards Finalists: Box-Breaker of the Year
Read the full details of each of the winners & finalists for each award:
>> 2011 Lawyers Weekly Awards: Macquarie University student takes top honours
>> 2011 Lawyers Weekly Awards: Shine Lawyers star takes out Young Gun Award
>> 2011 Lawyers Weekly Awards: Laing O'Rourke named In-House Team of the Year
>> 2011 Lawyers Weekly Awards: Colin Biggers & Paisley recognised for best practice
>> 2011 Lawyers Weekly Awards: Freehills top of class in talent management
>> 2011 Lawyers Weekly Awards: Innovation at Advent Lawyers earns top gong
>> 2011 Lawyers Weekly Awards: Gilbert & Tobin's Garry Besson named Dealmaker of the Year
>> 2011 Lawyers Weekly Awards: Slater & Gordon's Andrew Grech named managing partner of the year
>> 2011 Lawyers Weekly Awards: Sir Laurence Street honoured with Life Achievement award
