ILTA Awards

2024

ILTA Awards

Issue link: https://epubs.iltanet.org/i/1529256

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 56 of 75

Nominee / T R A I L B L A Z E R O F T H E Y E A R K ing & Wood Mallesons (KWM) Real Estate Practice recently identified a pain point frequently encountered across the firm. Real Estate transactions are often complex, with critical deadlines for many parties extending over a long time, up to decades in some instances. The lawyers involved, as well as client representatives, will likely change. Transitions between colleagues can be challenging, and clients often rely on legal firms to hold project knowledge assumed over a long period. L e g a l p r o fe s s i o n a l s a t K W M n e e d e d h e l p a c c e s s i n g , maintaining, and centralizing critical documentation and experienced challenges communicating key events with clients over extended timelines. The most effective solution was partnering with a software provider to identify or build a system that maintained a visual representation of key events throughout the lifecycle of real estate transactions and linking the events to their supporting documentation in file storage. King & Wood Mallesons + Jigsaw KSW worked with Jigsaw in 2021 to roll out and onboard the Structure Chart software. Record levels of adoption and positive user feedback from this collaboration led to KWM and Jigsaw receiving the 2021 ILTA Distinguished Peer Award for Trailblazer of the Year. The trusted relationship made Jigsaw a natural choice for this solution-driven KWM project. Assembling the right people from senior leadership and effective practice in both organizations was the most essential risk mitigation in the project. An experienced business and product manager led the Jigsaw team coaxed out of retirement specifically for this project, and a senior developer with more than 20 years of software development experience was brought in to lead web development. Daily discussions between KSW and Jigsaw team members provided vital feedback on all factors influencing user experience. Partnering can be challenging. Ensuring outcome alignment and establishing deep trust and collaboration via open communications are critical for success. Commitment to a clearly articulated shared goal, unlimited access to seasoned professionals for short-cycle feedback and testing, and the skill and dedication of Jigsaw's development team were the keys to successfully delivering their Timelines product. PROJECT Timelines A system that allows the project team to maintain a visual representation of key events and link these to the supporting documentation and file storage. This timeline view would provide an accessible activity plan, highlight milestones, enable each team member to maintain a common understanding of the project, and allow lawyers to represent several scenarios for clients visually. ILTA AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE 2024 5 7

Articles in this issue

view archives of ILTA Awards - 2024