The Legal Innovation Awards set out to recognize and reward the law firms that are moving the legal profession forward in the work they do in the area of management
PLMJ was recognized among the finalists of the first edition of The Legal Innovation Awards on 22 May in London. These awards are organized by the most prestigious British magazine in the business law sector - Legal Week. The firm received the honorable mention in the category: Marketing and Business Development Innovation. PLMJ was nominated alongside leading British and American law firms including Baker & McKenzie, Clifford Chance, Dentons and Eversheds, which makes this achievement even more significant.
Besides the project that received the honorable mention, PLMJ was also shortlisted in a further two categories. The first was International Innovation, for its internationalization project, PLMJ International Legal Network. The second was in the category Pro Bono Innovation, with the PLMJ Pro Bono program, coordinated by partners Maria da Conceição Cabaços and Filipa Cotta, under which PLMJ lawyers are working with more than 35 charitable and social institutions.
THE WINNING PROJECT
In Marketing and Business Development Innovation, PLMJ took advantage of the upturn in the real estate sector in Portugal and the programs launched by the Portuguese Government to attract foreign investment. Developing a strategy to re-launch its real estate practice, PLMJ created a number of new specialized services. One new service was designed to assist with the development of real estate projects and setting up of luxury brand stores. The firm also introduced new services to help clients with applications for Golden Visas and for Non--habitual Resident status. The strategy, which was well-recognized by the market, involved activating the brand and positioning the PLMJ real estate team on various platforms and through a number of channels.
THE SHORTLISTED PROJECTS
In the category of International Innovation, the jury highlighted the internationalization project, PLMJ International Legal Network. Legal Week recognized the firm's originality in developing an international service provision platform that brings together firms in Portuguese-speaking countries and firms with a strategic presence incountries that are sources of investment in Portugal including China, Switzerland and Central and Eastern Europe. The jury also highlighted the firm's initiative in organizing the 1st PLMJ Network International Week, which is designed to bring together lawyers and support staff from the various countries and improve the way they work together on a day-to-day basis.
In shortlisting the firm for Pro Bono Innovation, the jury recognized the PLMJ Pro Bono program, coordinated by partners Maria da Conceição Cabaços and Filipa Cotta. Under this program, more than 50 PLMJ lawyers support more than 35 charitable and social institutions. The jury also highlighted the organization of the firm's first conference dedicated to social responsibility and pro bono work. This conference brought together representatives from the institutions and bodies PLMJ works with under its pro bono program, offering legal services free of charge to benefit worthy causes. The aim of the conference was to foster new ways of working together, particularly in the area of access to justice and the law. The jury also noted the publication of PLMJ's first Corporate Social Responsibility Report.
Innovation is part of PLMJ's DNA and, for four years in a row, the firm has appeared on the Financial Times ranking of the 50 most innovative law firms in Europe.
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