Dentons’ Associate Hackathon couples engagement with the flexibility of the remote work environment

Launched completely virtually in August, Dentons’ Associate Hackathon was coordinated by the 18-member Associates Committee, which is led by Erika Lopes-McLeman (Short Hills, NJ) and Jessica Rebarber (Washington, DC), and included a three-phased immersive cross-office and cross-practice experience designed to spur and harness innovative thinking and collaboration among the Firm’s associates. Over three months, 22 teams of associates across all US offices created, proposed, and pitched innovative solutions to develop business, streamline client service and/or improve existing workflows at Dentons.

1. How did you come up with the idea of the Hackathon?

Hosting a competition among all Dentons US associates that focused on solutions unique to the legal industry was something the Committee had wanted to do for some time but had not yet found the right moment. When COVID-19 hit and everyone started working remotely, the Associates Committee was looking for ways to keep associates connected across the US, to foster a sense of camaraderie in otherwise dark times, all while harnessing the flexibility of the virtual environment. It seemed like the perfect time to launch the Hackathon.

2. How did you form the structure of the Hackathon and subsequent webinars?

Our Associates Committee, which is comprised of 20 associates across the country, worked collaboratively on a proposal to Dentons US CEO Mike McNamara and US Managing Partner Mary Wilson. We wanted a rubric that put the spotlight on associates, but that involved experience and mentorship at the partner level. With Mike and Mary’s support, we worked closely with the Professional Development team to structure each moving piece and phase. Mary suggested that we work with Dentons’ Office of Innovation, which offered to host two training webinars on innovating and pitching. Initially, we envisioned that a Shark Tank–style finale would be a one-day event. However, based on the large number of participants (who all successfully moved to the final round!), we expanded the program to include an entire week of finale panels with live pitching and judging. From sign-up day to the celebratory happy hour announcing the winners, the Hackathon was a four-month-long immersive event. What a ride!

3. Could you describe the various stages of the competition and what was involved?

First, we hosted a series of FAQ events, where associates could come hear about the Hackathon and ask questions about the rules and the scope of the competition. During the sign-up period, Dentons’ Nextlaw division hosted a training session on identifying pain points and designing solutions. Once the teams were formed, we assigned each team a partner mentor. The teams worked with their mentors to prepare a one- to two-page proposal that described the pain point they selected and the solution they envisioned. During the next stage, the Proposal Review Committee, made up of partners across the Firm including practice group leaders and office managing partners, reviewed and scored the proposals. The advancing teams proceeded to the next and final stage, which involved working with their mentors to perfect a 15-minute pitch. All of this culminated in a week-long Shark Tank–style livestreamed event, during which each team faced a panel of judges. Winners and prizes were announced during a firm-wide awards ceremony a week later.

4. What surprised you by the level of engagement (participation from one third of associate population; 64 percent of Firm’s practice groups; 74 percent of US offices; 59 percent female; 40 percent diverse)

Based on preliminary discussions our Associates Committee members had with associates in their individual offices, we knew that there was an appetite for a firm-wide, team-based competition. We were absolutely floored when nearly 100 associates (one third of our associate population) signed up. Moreover, the fact that a majority of the Firm’s practice groups were represented demonstrated that this type of event draws from all skillsets. We were not surprised at all by the high quality of the innovative and thought-provoking ideas and solutions that came out of the Hackathon. Our associates are engaged and invested in the success of the Firm—and it showed.

5. If you were talking to yourself six months ago, what would you say?

Hindsight is always 20/20. When we started the Hackathon initiative, we thought it would be successful and provide an excellent integration opportunity. We did not have modest expectations, but we were nonetheless blown away by the end result. The true integration of the Dentons US Region, with participation from every level, as well as the stunning quality of the pitches, was truly a testament to just how great our lawyers and professionals are and how invested they are in the Firm’s future.

6. What are the plans for the future of the Hackathon?

We hope to build on this year’s success and perhaps make it a biannual event.

Erika M. Lopes-McLeman, Short Hills, NJ, senior managing associate, is a member of Dentons' Litigation and Dispute Resolution practice and of the Firm’s Insurance sector group. She serves as the co-chair of the US Associates Committee and is the Associate Liaison to the Diversity and Inclusion Committee. Within her practice, Erika counsels and represents clients in an array of complex commercial disputes, including insurer-side coverage litigations, class actions, arbitrations, and disputes over complex claims.

Jessica Rebarber, Washington, DC, senior managing associate, is a member of Dentons' Capital Markets practice. She is also involved in associate leadership and serves as co-chair of the Dentons US Associates Committee. Within her practice, Jessica represents Wall Street institutions, mortgage lenders and servicers, hedge funds, private equity funds, private student lenders, consumer reporting agencies, marketplace lenders, online lending platforms, i-buyers, innovative fintech companies and other financial services institutions in regulatory matters across the United States, including matters related to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.