The judges awarded the thoughtful Benesch Competitive Intelligence/Market Intelligence (CI/MI) Team approach first place under the banner of Market Research and Competitive Intelligence. Derived from a strategic goal to create top-level client-focused teams, CI/MI has added new depth to the attorneys’ repositories of client knowledge and understanding. The more in-depth the research, the better the results, according to the firm. “Our attorneys get it. They support and appreciate what we are doing for them and seek us out for advice, research and analysis. The need for the service has grown on a weekly, almost daily basis so that now the CI/MI team averages as many as 15 - 30 requests a week.”

CI/MI implementation was based on extensive research on clients and attorneys’ individual needs. Software tools, such as Firm 360, AtVantage, Mergermarket and Capital IQ, were selected, and three types of data reports – The Skinny, The Scoop and The Whole Story – were produced. Additional software helped integrate all the technologies employed in the process.

The attorneys responded with an immediate thumbs-up. “Our attorneys rely on members of the CI/MI team for information they feel is essential to successful business development. The CI/MI team is now the cornerstone of our client team and business development initiatives.”

The program ultimately impacts the firm’s bottom line because the attorneys are better prepared and able to maximize their professional relationships.

Click here for video of the award presentation and an interview with the winner.