For two decades, The FT Innovative Lawyers Awards have celebrated the most creative, impactful, and exceptional minds in the legal industry. Past and present winners of the awards have played an instrumental role in shaping the practice of law today.
As a proud sponsor of this year’s FT Innovative Lawyers Awards Europe, Opus 2 is committed to empowering and recognising innovation that drives the legal industry forward. At this year’s event, I was honoured to represent Opus 2, present an award and celebrate the winners, including many of our long-time clients.
Joined by my colleagues and surrounded by legal professionals who are passionate about solving real-world legal challenges, the FT Innovative Lawyers Awards offered me the opportunity to reflect on Opus 2’s history of innovation, witness the importance of community, and consider the continual evolution of the legal industry.
Innovation in action
From delivering virtual hearing technology that keeps cases moving forward when the world shuts down, to leading the way in delivering AI-enabled solutions that enhance the dispute lifecycle, Opus 2 continues to evolve to advance the legal industry.
Opus 2 has had the privilege of working closely with leading legal teams—underpinning thousands of cases across the globe. We are honoured to be relied upon by a wide range of leading law firms from the international top 50 and the Am Law 100 to powerhouse boutique litigation and arbitration firms.
Our commitment to delivering expert services and innovative solutions has earned our clients’ trust and granted us a firsthand view of some of the world’s most historic and consequential cases. We are proud that for nearly a decade, Opus 2 technology has been used in the majority of The Lawyer’s annual list of the top 20 cases including the Russian Aircraft Policy Dispute, Kent v Apple, the “SKAT” (Skatteforvaltningen) litigation, and now “Dieselgate” (the Pan-NOx Emissions Group trial).
Seeing familiar faces at the event while reflecting on these cases and other memorable moments also reinforced the role that connection and collaboration play in sustaining progress.
The importance of community in legal innovation
Collaboration has always been at the core of the legal industry. From the beginning, our success has been a direct reflection of the relationships we’ve built with practitioners, law firms, institutions, and the broader legal community.
The creativity, curiosity, and excitement at the FT Awards was a strong reminder of the power of community when we come together to share ideas, challenge assumptions, and explore what’s next. These moments of connection help shape the future and drive the industry forward. That’s why you’ll find the Opus 2 team at events around the world, lending our support to initiatives and associations that bring the legal community together.
3 takeaways from the FT Innovative Lawyers Awards
The impact of AI is undeniable
Conversations at the event highlighted a defining reality of today’s legal landscape: change is accelerating. Firms and in-house legal teams are managing more data, greater complexity, and higher expectations than ever before. At the same time, AI is transforming how legal work is done. From analysis to collaboration, it opens new possibilities for innovation. While AI is not the only path to progress, it is a catalyst that is shaping how the practice of law will evolve.
Purposeful innovation drives outcomes
Among the firms and legal teams recognised at the awards, it was clear they were not innovating for innovation’s sake; they started with the end in mind. Their efforts were focused on practical outcomes like streamlining processes, improving collaboration, and delivering value to clients.
Adaptability is an advantage
The winning law firms have invested in a culture of innovation that encourages creative thinking and fosters an “art of the possible” mindset. When met with new challenges or changing client needs, they have the resources and experience to design solutions, earn buy-in, and act quickly—an advantage in a rapidly shifting legal landscape.
Looking ahead and building what’s next
Congratulations to all of this year’s award honourees and many thanks to all those who joined us to make the event so memorable. It’s clear that the future of legal innovation will continue to be shaped by collaboration, creativity, and the smart application of technology.
Learn more about Opus 2 and explore how we’re innovating to deliver solutions that transform the disputes lifecycle here.
