12.04.2014

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Press Releases

SEATTLE, Wash (December 4, 2014) - Perkins Coie is pleased to announce it has been recognized by the Financial Times for the third year in a row as a top 40 innovative law firm.  In the Financial Times North America Innovative Lawyers Report 2014, Perkins Coie is ranked 26 out of the 40 top firms for innovation, recognized for developing a program that benefits clients in the “Business of Law” category and its commitment to community in the “Social Responsibility” category of the report.

The Financial Times (FT) first published the ranking of U.S. law firms in 2010.  For the fifth year of the report, the FT has broadened the scope to include Canada and Mexico.  Shortlists for the awards comprise the top-ranked submissions in each section of the report.  The FT and its research partner RSG Consulting devised a unique methodology to rank lawyers on innovation.  No entry appears in the FT report without a robust client or independent reference.   

The Financial Times North America Innovative Lawyers Report 2014 is meticulously researched.  Law firms and in-house legal teams submit entries highlighting their most innovative work.  RSG conducts extensive assessments and interviews in order to apply a bespoke methodology that produces the rankings.  This year saw greater engagement than ever before.  For this year’s report, the FT received a record 448 submissions and nominations from more than 127 of the leading firms and in-house teams across North America.  RSG interviewed and sought feedback from nearly 440 clients, experts and lawyers.

The Financial Times North America Innovative Lawyers Report 2014 notes “The picture that has emerged is of a profession in transition.  The information revolution is changing the world.  There are new applications of technology, such as driverless cars, new assaults on data security and privacy, and new forms of partnership.  The law has yet to catch up with many of these developments, but lawyers are playing a vital role in bringing clarity to these issues – and at the same time rethinking their own industry to offer wider strategic perspectives.”

FT notes in the “Business of Law” section that “firms have been slow to invest in data analytics and knowledge processing platforms, but some are now moving ahead of the curve.”  In this category, Perkins Coie is “Highly Commended” for establishing “a firm-wide virtual currency practice to work with industry leaders and clients in navigating a new online marketplace.”  Bitcoin and other decentralized virtual currencies are quickly becoming a major force in online payments.  Perkins Coie has been working with industry leaders to navigate these intricate issues since shortly after the open-source protocol was first published in 2008.  Industry pioneers turned to Perkins Coie based on the firm’s expertise in online payments associated with its representation of various Internet giants as well as the firm’s extensive work with video game currencies, which were really the first “virtual” currencies.  In light of the increasing needs of this community, in 2013, the firm formally established its Decentralized Virtual Currency Practice Group and launched the Virtual Currency Report blog.

The “Social Responsibility” section highlights firms that are building the legal structures to support new models of enterprise.  In this ranking, Perkins Coie is “Highly Recommended” for its pro bono work providing “Help for underprivileged children to apply their rights under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program for illegal immigrants who entered the U.S. as children.”  Since Perkins Coie established twice-monthly DACA application clinics in November 2012, firm attorneys have assisted at least 561 immigrant youth and their families in the more than 46 clinics hosted in our downtown Seattle offices.  In addition to this program, Perkins Coie continues to partner with immigration advocacy groups to help unaccompanied immigrant youth seeking Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, U Visas and other forms of protection.  

Perkins Coie is a leading international law firm that is known for providing high-value, strategic solutions and extraordinary client service on matters vital to our clients’ success. With more than 1,200 lawyers in offices across the United States and Asia, we provide a full array of corporate, commercial litigation, intellectual property, and regulatory legal advice to a broad range of clients, including many of the world’s most innovative companies and industry leaders as well as public and not-for-profit organizations.

Media Inquiries: Please email Justin Cole, Head of Media Relations.