DLA Piper’s Generative AI Strategy named most innovative in Europe at FT Innovative Lawyer Awards

DLA Piper’s Innovation in Generative AI Strategy has been crowned the best in Europe by the Financial Times at its Innovative Lawyer Awards 2024 held last night in London.

The firm was recognised for developing and realising a comprehensive AI strategy for itself and its clients through a team comprising more than 100 lawyers, data scientists, and professionals with backgrounds in policy and academia.

As part of this strategy, the group has developed and introduced several generative AI solutions. They have advised global clients at the forefront of the space on the creation and deployment of AI. The team has also created a suite of applications, guidance, and governance frameworks to support businesses in maintaining compliance across the complex and evolving landscape. DLA Piper was further commended for the in-house development of a generative AI-powered legal assistant named ButterflAI, designed to ensure security for client work.

Looking at innovation in the pro bono space, the firm’s work in representing the Pacific Island state of Tonga before the International Court of Justice, part of the firm’s broader work helping climate vulnerable nations access international justice, also received a ‘standout’ recognition. A joint submission with several firms also recognised DLA Piper’s collective work with Kind, a migrant children’s charity, and the Italian Council for Refugees. JP Douglas-Henry, Managing Director for Sustainability and Resilience, was shortlisted as an innovative practitioner for his direction of the firm’s Law& brand and sustainability mandates, evolving services beyond traditional advice.

The FT Innovative Lawyers Awards Europe are among the most prestigious awards on the legal calendar. They recognise lawyers, law firms and in-house legal teams across Europe that are at the forefront of innovation. Entries are scored by independent experts who review the submission for originality, leadership, and impact.

Simon Levine, Global Co-CEO and International Managing Partner, commented: “Innovation is a key driver of the continued success of our powerful international platform, as we invest in and leverage data, technology and new ways of thinking to deliver best in class results for our clients and people. Innovation has long been a core pillar of our firm’s strategy, and this recognition is a testament to the hard work and ingenuity found across our firm at every level, as our people continue to define the curve for modern legal services.”

DLA Piper was shortlisted in the following categories:

• Innovation in generative AI strategy – Executing our market-leading approach to AI in our business, with our clients, and in the AI ecosystem 
• Innovation in generative AI tools – ButterflAI: the generative AI legal assistant developed for DLA Piper, by DLA Piper
• Innovative lawyers in pro bono – Supporting Tonga, a climate-vulnerable nation, in being heard on the defining issue of our time 
• Innovative practitioner – JP Douglas-Henry
• Innovative law firm of the year – DLA Piper