Imagine a legal world on the brink of transformation—where traditional barristers and solicitors are blending with cutting-edge tech wizards, all racing to redefine how justice is served. That's the thrilling reality of the FT Asia-Pacific Innovative Lawyers 2026 report, and we're inviting you to dive into the heart of legal innovation. But here's where it gets controversial: Is this push for change truly leveling the playing field, or is it just widening the gap between tech-savvy giants and the rest? Read on to find out why this could be the most talked-about legal event of the year.
The 2026 edition of the Financial Times' Innovative Lawyers Asia-Pacific report is now accepting submissions, where we delve deep into the groundbreaking shifts shaking up the legal industry. We're on the lookout for detailed case studies showcasing creative breakthroughs, both in the day-to-day practice of law and the operational side of legal businesses. These can come from private law firms or internal legal departments (often called in-house teams) within corporations.
The standout entries will be selected for the prestigious FT Innovative Lawyers Asia-Pacific awards gala, scheduled for Thursday, May 14, at the Asia Society in Hong Kong. Plus, these finalists will get spotlighted in the full report, which hits print and online on Friday, May 15.
Submissions
For Private Practice Firms
Law firms can submit up to eight entries total, spread across seven main categories (excluding the special FT law firm index). These will be evaluated by the FT's research collaborators at RSGI, drawing on benchmarks, in-depth interviews, surveys, and additional investigative methods.
The top three highest-scoring entries from all categories will contribute to the firm's overall innovation rating in the FT law firm index. This index also factors in scores from a separate questionnaire on the firm's adoption of data and technology, commitment to social good, and strategies for managing people and talent.
Practice of Law: We're calling on legal teams from any specialty to share a concrete example or case study illustrating how the legal field is evolving. Think about how attorneys have crossed traditional boundaries, set fresh precedents, achieved remarkable client results, or pioneered entirely new areas of practice—with a focus on creativity and real-world influence. Each firm is limited to two submissions here, and you can choose from these subcategories: energy, projects and infrastructure; technology; healthcare and life sciences; cyber security and data protection; sustainability; financing and private capital; or disputes and crisis management.
Knowledge and Data: Firms can submit one entry on projects or efforts aimed at enhancing the use of knowledge and data. This might involve internal setups to standardize expertise or integrate tools like generative AI (a type of advanced artificial intelligence that creates new content, such as drafting documents or analyzing patterns, which is revolutionizing efficiency but sparking debates on job displacement—more on that later). It could also cover turning legal insights into marketable products or services.
Business of Law: One submission per firm on transformative initiatives reshaping the firm itself. Options include digital legal offerings, operational makeovers, or novel business structures that challenge the status quo.
People and Skills: Firms rethinking their work environments, hiring practices, or employee development can submit here. This category explores fresh approaches to building expertise, revamping compensation systems, or tapping into diverse professional backgrounds. And this is the part most people miss: How are these changes not just boosting productivity, but also addressing burnout in a high-stress field?
Responsible Business: Share innovative strategies for tackling big societal issues like climate change, social inequities, or inequality through your firm's actions. One entry allowed.
Individual Practitioner: Highlight a standout lawyer who's revolutionizing their work within the firm or broader practice. Show how their contributions have altered legal processes, influenced firms, industries, businesses, or even society at large, and improved client interactions. Note: Past individual profilees from prior FT Innovative Lawyers reports aren't eligible. One per firm.
Intrapreneur: Nominate someone who's driven change from within, such as senior leaders (excluding managing partners), department chiefs, or innovation heads. We're interested in those who've shifted company culture, processes, or adaptability for better alignment with staff and clients. Again, previously featured innovators in similar roles aren't eligible. One per firm.
FT Law Firm Index: Participating firms will complete a questionnaire on their data/tech integration, talent strategies, and social responsibility efforts. Responses are scored and compared to peers to determine rankings.
For Corporate In-House Legal Teams
In-house departments can submit up to four entries across these areas. Include contact info for your chief legal officer and a reference from another C-suite executive available for interviews.
Commercial and Strategic Partners: Highlight how your team has boosted business value or enhanced experiences for external clients. Examples: Driving growth or overhaul, or streamlining legal workflows for better customer satisfaction.
New Products and Services: Share cases where your legal group helped create innovative offerings, revenue sources, or services for the company.
Operational Transformation: Detail new methods or workflows that upgraded your department's performance. This could include optimizing legal management, incorporating generative AI (that same AI tech we mentioned earlier, which some argue empowers lawyers while others worry it undermines human judgment—food for thought).
Digital Solutions: Showcase adoption or creation of new digital tools, or digitizing specific processes, potentially featuring AI applications.
Outside Counsel Management: Describe improved ways to handle assignments and partnerships with external lawyers.
People and Skills: Focus on creative skill-building or team dynamics in your legal unit, or how you're aiding broader company adaptation.
Sustainability and Responsible Business: Illustrate efforts supporting your organization's or industry's green goals, or addressing social justice, inequality, or diversity issues.
How the Report and Awards Are Evaluated
The report will include write-ups of selected entries plus feature articles. Submission cutoff is January 22, 2026. Research happens from February to March. Publication is with the Financial Times on May 15, and the awards ceremony is the day before.
Entries are free, but must adhere to the terms below.
Our research partner, RSGI, brings years of expertise in dissecting the legal landscape.
How to Submit
Use the online form at https://ftinnovativelawyers.highq.com/. Register via this form, and reach out to ftresearch@rsgi.co for questions.
Submission Format
Private practice entries need to cover these elements with strict word limits:
The Challenge: What's the business or commercial hurdle being addressed? (75 words)
Description of the Innovation: A summary of the person, group, or project. (75 words)
Originality: What makes it groundbreaking? Highlight the most unique aspects. (200 words)
Leadership: Explain the lawyers' or firm's involvement, responsibilities, and how the solution was developed. (200 words)
Impact: Outline the effects on clients, the firm, or stakeholders, with measurable proof of success. (200 words)
References: Provide contacts for at least one internal and one client/external referee for confidential discussions.
Rules for Submission
Focus on innovations from July 1, 2024, onward. 2025 shortlistees are ineligible.
Keep total submissions under 750 words, in English, and fully address the form's questions.
Assessment Process
Each entry is thoroughly vetted on its merits, with input from independent specialists. Judging compares entries within categories, scoring originality, leadership, and impact up to 30 points total.
Client references are essential; include contacts for internal and external referees.
RSGI conducts interviews with clients, submitters, and experts, then applies a custom FT methodology for ranking.
Rankings blend submissions with additional research like surveys to uncover regional innovations.
Criteria consider local standards of advancement.
Awards and Report Timeline
- January 22: Submissions due
- April: Shortlists announced
- May 14: Awards event
- May 15: Report release on FT.com and in the newspaper
Contact Info
For submission/research queries: ftresearch@rsgi.co
Editorial questions: Harriet Arnold at harriet.arnold@ft.com (use FTILAP in subject)
Advertising or sponsorship: Alex Roszkowski at alex.roszkowski@ft.com, +44 (0) 7481 606760
Awards event inquiries: lewis.finch@ft.com
Important Details
No entry fees for FT Innovative Lawyers Asia-Pacific 2026.
Researchers can reassign categories as needed; decisions are binding.
FT and RSGI aren't liable for lost or damaged submissions.
FT may publish firm/lawyer names, entry details, and winner info. Entrants grant a perpetual, non-exclusive license for publication and agree to participate in related publicity.
If shortlisted or winning, FT may permit use of the logo on marketing, but only per their guidelines—you can't alter it or imply affiliation without approval, and they can revoke rights anytime.
Avoid including sensitive info you don't want public, as we can't guarantee confidentiality beyond what's stated. Submission implies acceptance of this risk.
FT reserves the right to cancel, delay, or exclude inappropriate entries. Misleading ones disqualify participants.
We disclaim liability for any issues from participation, to the extent allowed by law.
Terms governed by English law; disputes under English courts' jurisdiction.
Submitting confirms agreement on behalf of your firm/organization.
Warranties for consents on data sharing; info used only for assessment, per our privacy policy (https://help.ft.com/legal-privacy/privacy-policy/).
What do you think? Is embracing AI and data in law a game-changer for equality, or does it risk sidelining traditional practitioners? Share your views in the comments—do you agree that innovation should prioritize social impact over profits, or is there a better balance? Let's discuss!
