news 5 October 2017

McCann FitzGerald named Standout firm at the FT Innovative Lawyer Awards 2017

The firm took home the accolade for its work with innovative medical devices and solutions provider, DePuy International Limited. Following the client’s voluntary recall of a series of allegedly faulty hip implants, the Irish courts system faced being clogged up with lengthy patient claims. However, McCann FitzGerald developed an alternative dispute resolution process which was adopted by the High Court and which has significantly speeded up claims resolution.

Commenting on the awards, Barry Devereux, Managing Partner, McCann FitzGerald said,  

“Innovation has been the key to ensuring that McCann FitzGerald is at the cutting edge of legal services delivery, not just in Ireland but globally. Technology is having a transformative effect on all industries and the legal services sector is no exception. The choice is to drive onwards and to progress, or risk becoming irrelevant which is why we have put innovation at the heart of our strategy.  

“Businesses today expect more from their suppliers so they can give back more to their customers and it’s no different for the legal services sector. We have had to find ways of doing more for less and we are delighted that the Financial Times has recognised our achievements."

McCann FitzGerald also received two Commended awards. The first was for New Business and Service Delivery Models for its pioneering Data Investigation Group, one of the first incubation units to develop technology that removes unnecessary lawyering for clients from the legal process.

The second, for Driving Value, was as a result of its work with WK Nowlan Property who sought the firm’s expertise in bringing together financing from private equity, state and banks to fund the development of a large social housing project in Ireland.  

The FT Innovative Lawyer Awards, now in their eleventh  year, are one of the top legal awards in Europe.