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Innovative Solutions


After more than 20 years of driving change in the legal industry, Baker Donelson's innovative approach to legal service delivery is second to none.

Doing More with Less:

Streamlining the management of cases and reducing clients’ per matter costs through the continued usage of our award-winning LPM platform.

Enhancing Spend Predictability:

Named a "Distinguished Law Firm for AFAs" by BTI (2020) for our success with developing and implementing creative pricing models.

Keeping Clients Informed:

Providing 24/7 access to a secure and custom portal with key matter data and automated matter status and budget-to-actual reports.

Automating Contract Management:

Deploying cutting-edge, AI-powered tools that automate contract management and conduct contract due diligence in 1/3 the time.

Sharing Practical Knowledge:

Offering clients a wide range of customized web-based tools and applications that promote collaboration, efficiency, and cutting-edge legal support.

Improving Budgets:

Using our point-and-click budget tool and drawing on 500+ budget templates, our lawyers develop more streamlined, consistent, and reliable budgets than ever before.

One of the things [about Baker Donelson] that was unique was BakerManage and being able to see the budget and the expenses going against the budget. That is really helpful. That made my life a whole lot easier. There were no surprises when the financials came out regarding major legal work being done.


Director of Risk Management at one of the world's leading manufacturers and suppliers of pet products

Law firms have seen almost zero change or willingness to adopt technology. Baker Donelson is truly distinguished because of their BakerManage platform. They are using technology in a way that improves the practice of law and they are able to deliver better service because of it.


Chief Counsel at one of the world's largest public claims management companies

I'd say their willingness to think differently is exemplary.


Chief Counsel at one of the world's largest public claims management companies

Why Baker Donelson?


Practical application of our legal project management platform on more than 13,000 matters
More than 11,000 alternative pricing engagements implemented
Use of our LPM and budgeting techniques has proven to reduce per matter spend by 45 percent and matter duration by 67 percent
5 Certified Six Sigma Professionals
Supported 30+ different practice-specific technologies and solutions in the last three years
6 Certified Toyota Production System (Lean) Professionals
20+ in-house professionals dedicated to implementing and supporting innovative client solutions

After more than 20 years of driving change in the legal industry, Baker Donelson's innovative approach to legal service delivery is unmatched. Our dedicated in-house operations and consultancy team, which is led by one of the most influential thought leaders in this space, works closely with our attorneys and clients to implement cutting-edge, tailored solutions that advance our clients' legal and business goals.

Baker Donelson has been at the forefront of numerous legal industry innovations. Some of our most notable accomplishments include:

  • Among the first law firms to develop its own proprietary legal project management platform
  • Co-authored the American Bar Association's book on legal project management (first and second editions)
  • Among the first law firms to build an in-house team of professionals dedicated to legal innovation and operations beginning in 2011
  • Among the first law firms to utilize artificial intelligence for contract review and due diligence
  • Served in leadership roles for the Corporate Legal Operations Consortium (CLOC) since the organization's inception (CLOC is the largest international community of legal operations professionals)
  • Co-authored and designed CLOC's eBook on matter lifecycle management for legal teams
  • Launched innovative partnerships with the University of Richmond School of Law Legal Business Design Hub and the Baylor Law Executive LL.M. in Litigation Management
  • Serve as consultants to in-house legal departments for process improvement, project management, and legal technology for corporate clients

Client-Focused Solutions that Drive Value

We have been growing our suite of innovative solutions for more than 20 years, making it among the most expansive in the legal industry today. Our Client Solutions Group (CSG) includes nationally recognized professionals who are subject matter experts in project management, process improvement, pricing, data analytics, knowledge management, artificial intelligence/machine learning, litigation support, and research. Working closely with our attorneys and clients, the Client Solutions Group's purpose is to explore, combine, and implement emerging solutions that improve the way we deliver services to provide value to clients in the way they define value.

Helping Legal Departments Reinvent their Teams

Baker Donelson helps in-house legal teams tackle their operational issues so they can function more effectively and efficiently and ultimately increase their value to their organizations. The members of our Client Solutions Group have extensive experience working with legal departments of all sizes, industries, and levels of sophistication. This experience gives them a unique, big-picture perspective and the practical know-how to make meaningful and measurable impact. Our approach to in-house legal operations is consultative, working first to understand a client's goals and then providing the tools and resources needed to achieve those goals.

  • Named a 2020 BTI AFA Distinguished Law Firm, recognizing law firms best at developing and implementing alternative fee arrangements as identified by top legal decision makers at large and Fortune 1000 companies.
  • Finalist – Litera Microsystems' The Changing Lawyer Awards, "Legal Innovator of the Year" (2019)
  • Finalist – International Legal Technology Association (ILTA) Distinguished Peer Awards, "Thought Leader of the Year Award/Leadership Award" (2019)
  • Recipient – ILTA Publication Awards, "Matter Budgets Matter: A Case Study You Can Take to the Bank" (2017)
  • Finalist – ILTA Distinguished Peer Awards, "Innovative Project of the Year" (2017)
  • Finalist – ILTA Distinguished Peer Awards, "Innovative Law Firm of the Year" (2017)
  • Recipient – Association of Corporate Counsel, "Legal Department of the Year Award for Outside Counsel Management" (2014)
  • Finalist – ILTA Distinguished Peer Awards, "Innovative Law Firm of the Year Award" (2013)
  • Recipient – ILTA Distinguished Peer Award, "Project of the Year for Baker Donelson's Legal Project Management Initiative and System" (2012)
 
Trusted Advisor: David A. Rueff Jr.

Chief Client Solutions Officer

Mr. Rueff is Baker Donelson's Chief Client Solutions Officer, a member of the Firm's board of directors, and is a certified project manager through the Project Management Institute. He is responsible for the Firm's innovation team, including knowledge management, legal project management, matter budgeting, pricing, process improvement, machine learning/AI applications and legal research. He regularly works with lawyers and clients to develop unique process, pricing and technology solutions.

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