Who are the most innovative law firms, legal departments, and legal technology companies in America? Legalweek and Law.com are seeking nominations from lawyers who have handled cutting edge matters at the intersection of the law and technology.

The Legalweek Leaders in Tech Law Awards will celebrate the recent achievements of lawyers whose work is focused on tech companies and issues with an eye toward those who are moving the profession forward through innovation.

Nominees should be based in the United States.

The deadline is April 6, 2021. Please click here to submit a nomination.

For a Q&A with editor Zach Warren about this new contest, please see our new About the Awards: Legal Leaders in Tech Law post. You will need to log into ALM Digital Reader to view this article.  Sign up for a free ALM Digital Reader account here.

We are seeking nominations in the following categories:

Law Firm/In-House/Other Category Descriptions

No entry fee associated with these categories. Nominees should be based in the United States.

Tech-Enabled Litigation Department of the Year

Honing the focus of our traditional litigation department of the year competition to look at work that private law firms do for technology companies, venture capital funds, and start-ups that are the center of the local economy. No size restrictions between firms.

Tech Deal Department of the Year – M&A

Awards the firm who handled the the most impressive mergers and acquisitions involving technology companies. Judged based on the size, scope, and sophistication of the underlying transactions and the firm's role. No size restrictions between firms.

Start-Up Firm/Emerging Company Law Firm of the Year

Awards the firm who helped clients in the start-up, pre-public and emerging company space navigate significant legal challenges to reach desired business outcomes. That could be anything from securing funding for a significant expansion, to filing papers to go public, to fending off a significant litigation threat. 

Most Innovative Legal Department of the Year

With an eye toward legal departments that contribute to product development, this award would honor established company legal teams who have acted as problem solvers within their companies and contributed to the overall innovation culture within their respective companies. 

Most Innovative Operations Team of the Year

Highlighting emerging and public company in-house ops teams of the year as well as company/firm ops collaborations. Awards handed out to one public company and one emerging company legal op department. Outside law firms may also be recognized for contributions in legal ops.

Innovators of the Year (Individual)

Recognizing individual practitioners who have spearheaded initiatives to solve legal problems creatively be it through technology, collaboration with LPOs, engaging litigation funders, etc. 

New Law Company of the Year

Recognizing alternative legal service providers for their contributions working for technology companies. 

Innovations in Pro Bono

Recognizing the firms and in-house legal departments who either by collaboration or use of technology are making an impact in the community through pro bono effort. This would prioritize honoring those who provide direct legal services to indigent communities rather than highlighting the flashy impact litigation we tend to take note of. 

Innovations in Diversity and Inclusion

Recognizing successful partnerships and initiatives between legal industry players that advance women attorneys, lawyers of color and other underrepresented groups. For example, this might be a law firm and company that team up to sponsor minority recruiting campaigns or mentorship programs. 

Championing Diversity in Tech

Honoring individuals for outstanding achievements working together to move the diversity needle in the technology sector. Recipients must be from a typically underrepresented background.

Court Access to Justice

Showcasing the ways courts and judges have adapted their courtroom settings to achieve greater accessibility and access to justice through technology.

Vendor Category Descriptions

The submission fee for vendors will be $500. This price includes the opportunity to be advertised as a vendor partner and allows branding exposure both on the website in the lead-up to the event and on-screen at the awards ceremony. Vendors can enter as many categories as you see fit under the one fee. Nominees should be based in the United States.

Data Privacy & Cybersecurity

Solutions aimed at protecting and securing the data of an enterprise, also including information governance products.

Legal Operations

Solutions that primarily support the business functions of corporate legal departments, including contracting tools, outside counsel management, and more.

Litigation & Discovery

Solutions involved in litigation processes from beginning to end, including discovery, brief drafting, depositions and court technology, and more.

Research & Data Science

Solutions involved in the attorney and law librarian research process, including case and regulation research, judicial and court analytics, and more.

Practice Management

Solutions that primarily support law firm operations, such as practice and document management, business development, marketing, and more.

Championing Diversity in Tech (Individual)

Honoring individuals for outstanding achievements working together to move the diversity needle in the technology sector. Recipients must be from a typically underrepresented background.