DAC Beachcroft managing partner David Pollitt talks to Legal Week about what makes the firm a Best Legal Adviser for 2016-17

How do you deliver true value and how do you benchmark the value given? Value means different things to different clients. In addition to our work on legal engagements, we have regular and separate meetings to listen and gather more intelligence about our clients' requirements and evolve our response. We have developed a Client Listening Programme to secure meaningful responses. Our dedicated head of client listening works with an external consultant, Nisus, to analyse feedback and bring independence to this process. We have also developed 'Clarity', our questionnaire, which measures: responsiveness, empathy, tangibles, reliability, assurance and quality of service.

How do you differentiate your offering in an increasingly crowded and competitive market? We differentiate through our stated Vision: 'to be leading business advisers recognised for our insight and outstanding commitment to clients'. Our client feedback confirms that we deliver this, working as true business partners with them. Our Vision is also to be the place where talented people want to work. We invest in the continuing development of our lawyers. Our Cultural Principles – our very particular code of behaviour across the firm – are directed at ensuring we have an inclusive, diverse and supportive environment that enables our people to be their best. We differentiate through our expertise in chosen markets. These are insurance, health, real estate and a specific range of commercial services. We have a unique combination of specialist lawyers providing these services.

What innovation have you introduced that has added the most value? We have recently introduced 'DataRisk' specialists, a collaborative service led by DAC Beachcroft that combines legal and technical IT advice on information security, data protection and cyber risk. Our partner is Portcullis Security. The service is of significant value to insurers, who can incorporate it into insurance policies. It is offered as two elements: Protect and Response. Innovative fixed-fee pricing models allow buyers to purchase one or the other, or both parts.

What clients like about the firm • A key partner that understands our customers, market and our businesses • Friendly, communicative and responsive • Very collegiate in their approach and ensure that all areas of concern are remedied

DAC Beachcroft's top scores 1. Quality of service delivery 2. Communication and responsiveness 3. Commercial approach and understanding of my business

For more information visit: www.dacbeachcroft.com

The Best Legal Advisers Report will be published in December. For more information email [email protected] or call her on +44 (0) 203 868 7545.