Linklaters rolls out verification platform across London and Hong Kong SAR offices
Linklaters is rolling out Atticus, a web-based platform that streamlines the verification of public-facing documents across its London and Hong Kong offices.
Historically, identifying and verifying statements has been a time-consuming and laborious process. Atticus automates the verification process by creating a workflow where users can easily validate them, reducing inefficiencies and ensuring high levels of accuracy. The platform allows users to upload supporting documents to verify each statement and the generation of verification reports. In addition, Atticus gives all relevant parties on a transaction access to the platform, enabling full real-time collaboration for all those involved.
Extensive user testing took place with the firm’s Practice Innovation & Efficiency teams and other lawyers in London and Hong Kong, led by the firm’s specialist Innovation Lawyers Greg Baker and Hannah Atkinson.
It is the first major project delivered by Linklaters’ Emerging LegalTech team (which forms part of the Innovation offering at the firm) in collaboration with our Technology function. From initial research through to full deployment, Emerging LegalTech was created to explore pioneering legal technologies in the market, identify potential technological gaps within the business, enhance collaboration and investigate the future of legal services. The function recently celebrated its one-year anniversary since its inception.
Iris Yeung, Corporate Partner in Hong Kong who was involved in the user testing, said:
“Atticus is an amazing tool in making the verification process much more efficient. Not only does it save huge amount of clerical time, it also allows our team to locate underlying documents more easily. Atticus is another great example of how Linklaters is embracing market-leading technology to improve the way we work for our clients.”
Greg Baker, innovation lawyer at Linklaters, said:
“Atticus has transformed the verification process in our equities practice. Already, we are seeing significant efficiencies with positive feedback from clients. It is the latest example of how the firm is investing in technology to add value in how we deliver legal advice for clients and alleviating the pain points for our teams.”
Saul Wakerman, co-founder at Atticus, said:
“We’re pleased to be working closely with Linklaters to streamline their verification processes globally. Atticus is a powerful tool that drives efficiency and accuracy in the verification of public disclosures, including prospectuses, investor presentations, and annual reports. We’ve been impressed with the Linklaters teams’ pace of adoption and their eagerness to rethink processes using new technologies.”
Atticus was founded by Mitchell Brunton, and brothers, Saul and Misha Wakerman in 2017. Saul is an ex-lawyer who worked on various M&A transactions and became frustrated with the standard process for verification. Misha and Mitchell are programmers who, after previously working together at Silicon Valley-based Palantir Technologies, teamed up with Saul to develop the software.
