Case study
Global law firm Bird & Bird accelerates complex client response and large-scale contract updates
With HighQ, a global law firm automated the management of high-volume contract update projects and data breach response requests via document automation and self-service client sites
Introduction
Global law firm Bird & Bird uses HighQ to deliver client collaboration solutions across multiple use cases, including high-volume contract creation and rapid-response data breach advisory sites. By combining HighQ features such as iSheets, Workflows, and Document Automation, the firm can auto-update and manage large volumes of contract changes almost instantly with real-time visibility, while lawyers can now self-serve client-specific data breach requests via easy-to-use HighQ portals built in under 10 minutes. These capabilities reduce manual effort, shorten response times in high-pressure situations, and create a consistent collaboration experience that supports both day-to-day matter delivery and new business pitches.
100+
Documents automatically updated, in minutes
<10 minutes
Time to create a new self-serve client site
Challenge
For many years, Bird & Bird has deployed HighQ as their go-to platform to deliver customised client collaboration portals, matter management and secure deal rooms. As they continuously strive to deliver more value to clients, they have been using HighQ in a wider variety of ways.
They utilised HighQ Document Automation to power a contract solution that removes the need to manually update client contracts with each of their vendors whenever an important change took place. Powering a seamless process such as notifying clients of a new entity following a merger or acquisition. Enabling the end-to-end automation of updates to hundreds of contracts, and management and visibility of the entire process.
In another instance, they utilised HighQ to create customer portals to help clients affected by data breaches manage their regulatory obligations and mitigate risk. They were able to easily create customised customer sites for each affected client. Allowing them communicate with lawyers, access advice and guidance, request legal assistance and receive notifications about actions or updates.
“HighQ is such a far-reaching platform. We're a global law firm with many different practices, so it gives us flexibility as well as consistency in how we deliver an elevated service for our clients, without any friction.”
Eric Sham
Senior Manager, LegalTech and Innovation, Bird & Bird
Solution
Bird & Bird utilized HighQ for various collaboration use cases; two recent examples were very different, and HighQ offered the versatility required for each.
Documentation automation. Bird & Bird harnessed the iSheets database, Workflows, and Document Automation capabilities of HighQ, which also integrates with DocuSign, to upload the new information, automatically bulk update the contracts, and auto-manage the signing process. Their LegalTech and innovation team created digital data visualisations within the platform, so clients can see a real-time overview of project progress — for example, how many contracts have been updated, signed, or which are still outstanding — and any issues.
For the data breach solution, the Bird & Bird team automated the site creation process in HighQ, so lawyers can now set up dedicated client data breach response sites for multiple clients using a template, which they can fine-tune to a specific situation as needed. This provides an interactive checklist for lawyers and clients and creates a knowledge and communications hub, giving confidence and transparency around actions required and taken.
Outcomes
The contract solution streamlines and centralizes the previously fragmented process of altering and managing high-volume contract changes, typically 100-500 at a time. Using document automation to streamline the process of updating documents, sending new versions for signature, and maintaining a centralized client dashboard so teams can understand request volumes and status.
Allowing lawyers to self-serve the creation of client-specific data breach response sites eliminates the need to ask the LegalTech team to do it for them. Previously, it could take a few hours to log a request and get a response. Now lawyers can set up sites in under 10 minutes. This matters because data breaches are often high-pressure situations, where a rapid response is vital. The need for multiple phone calls and emails is also reduced, as HighQ acts as a portal for much of the necessary contact, intel, and tasks.
Both use cases have helped the firm stand out when pitching for work, as well as impressed clients when delivering it. “Lots of law firms use HighQ, so the differentiator is how creatively different teams within law firms use it, and how they package up solutions that are both valuable in what they offer and impressive in terms of design,” says Sham. “It all sits in a single HighQ platform — giving you a single pane of glass workflow for managing documents, generating contracts, automating processes, and collaborating with the client.”
At a glance
Industry
Legal Services, Real Estate & Construction
HQ region
London, UK
Solutions
HighQ
Year founded
1846
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