• 19 Sep 2012

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Opts for a Total Thomson Reuters Solution for Firm Workflow Vision

Enterprise-wide project integrates mulitple solutions for comprehensive technology initiative

Eagan, Minn., Sept. 19, 2012 – Thomson Reuters announced today that Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox  P.L.L.C. (Sterne Kessler) has selected Thomson Reuters to provide its leading technology products and services for a firm initiative that will integrate law firm practice management, matter management, IP solutions, legal research and more into a comprehensive, firm-wide workflow system. The integrated enterprise system will help the firm create high-quality work product with unprecedented efficiency and deliver greater value to clients.

In the initial phase of this total solution from Thomson Reuters, the firm will implement 3E®, the next-generation financial and practice management suite and Engage, the industry’s first Legal Project Management software, both from Thomson Reuters Elite; and Thomson IP Manager®, an enterprise-level intellectual asset management solution. These products complement Sterne Kessler’s existing framework, which includes WestlawNext®,  the leading next-generation legal research service; and Thomson IP Management Services, a suite of  innovative resources that help firms optimize IP portfolio management.

The second phase will add additional Thomson Reuters solutions, including enhanced IP intelligence and collaboration tools, as well as solutions that combine content and functionality from multiple web applications and data sources into a single integrated view.

The enterprise system will greatly improve productivity, efficiency and throughput in nearly all phases of handling a client matter – from new business intake, conflict/risk management, and engagement budgeting and planning to legal and IP research, team collaboration, project management, time and billing, and more. It will integrate the functionality of the various applications and be accessible throughout the firm to facilitate planning, budgeting, research, sharing of information, creation of work product, financial management and beyond.

“Our clients include industry leaders in science and technology, and they expect their law firms to be technology leaders as well,” said Robert K. Burger, chief operating officer of Sterne Kessler. “The business and legal issues are complex and the stakes are high, so we want to ensure that our attorneys and clients are equipped with the best technology resources available in order to be as efficient and rigorous as possible. Together with Thomson Reuters, we will be designing a cutting-edge IP project and budget management tool to efficiently manage complex patent and trademark prosecution portfolios, complex re-examination and post-grant proceedings, as well as intellectual property litigation. 

“We feel strongly that tightly integrated, enterprise-level technology can give our firm a significant competitive edge through industry-leading tools providing extreme efficiencies,” continued Burger. "We are a long-time customer of Thomson Reuters, and after evaluating our options, it became clear that implementing the right mix of their solutions will help us achieve our master workflow vision. It will enable us to dig deeper on client issues, manage matters more efficiently, and deliver greater value to our attorneys and clients.”

Sterne Kessler is located in Washington, D.C. and has 112 attorneys. Founded in 1978, the firm is dedicated exclusively to the protection, transfer and enforcement of intellectual property rights. Most of the firm’s professionals hold an advanced level degree, and more than 50 hold a doctorate in science or engineering discipline. In 2012, the firm was named to the National Law Journal’s Intellectual Property Hot List, was recognized by The Washington Business Journal as one of the Top 50 best places to work in the greater Washington area, and was awarded the prestigious Constance L. Belfiore Quality of Life Award in recognition of its innovative efforts to promote quality of life by the Bar Association of the District of Columbia.  

“Sterne Kessler’s strategic, holistic approach to its business operations and workflow practices is perfectly aligned with the value proposition of Thomson Reuters: amplifying law firm growth and profitability through an intregrated portfolio of award-winning solutions,” said Mike Suchsland, president of the Legal business of Thomson Reuters. “We are seeing more firms recognize the advantages of market-leading solutions that are designed for integration and interoperability to help firms be more productive in handling cases and managing matters.”

“Successfully managing IP-related information, issues and cases is becoming increasingly critical to firms and their clients,” said David Brown, president of Thomson Reuters Intellectual Property Solutions. “Interweaving IP intelligence and solutions with legal research, financial management and more into a single workflow system will provide tremendous improvements in efficiency in all aspects of client and matter management. We’re excited to be working together with Sterne Kessler to achieve their innovative vision.”

A podcast interview with Robert K. Burger, chief operating officer of Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox  P.L.L.C. can be heard here.

A video with Allison Guidette, general manager and senior vice president, Large Law Firm Segment, Thomson Reuters, discussing the Sterne Kessler technology initiative can be seen here.

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Thomson Reuters
Thomson Reuters is the world's leading source of intelligent information for businesses and professionals. We combine industry expertise with innovative technology to deliver critical information to leading decision makers in the financial and risk, legal, tax and accounting, intellectual property and science and media markets, powered by the world's most trusted news organization. With headquarters in New York and major operations in London and Eagan, Minnesota, Thomson Reuters employs approximately 60,000 people and operates in over 100 countries. For more information, go to www.thomsonreuters.com.


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