Innovation Award Individual Finalist: Niketa Patel, Mayer Brown

What are some of your proudest achievements from the past year?

One of my proudest achievements was stepping into the role of Co-Head of our Litigation Group in New York. With that position came a meaningful opportunity to develop our young attorneys, including to encourage them to pursue creative, logical solutions to the complex problems we solve for our clients everyday. That mindset has been critical as we’ve introduced generative AI-powered tools at the firm. I enjoy helping to create a culture where attorneys at all levels feel empowered to leverage these tools, and share their experiences – what’s working, what isn’t, and where the risks lie. Being in this role has also allowed me to help shape our approach to risk management around AI adoption. I’m proud to be at a firm that is not just staying current with the pace of change, but leading it, while also investing in the next generation of lawyers to do the same.

What, if any, obstacles stood in the way of your innovation, and how did you overcome them?

Overcoming inertia and resistance to change is always a challenge, particularly in an industry where teams have long-standing vendor relationships, or rely on traditional workflows and tools that have proven defensible to date. And understandably, litigation teams are some of the most cautious. Proposing a shift to a cutting-edge technology sometimes requires not just technical validation, but also cultural change. Key to overcoming that resistance is showcasing the technology’s capabilities, being forthright about its shortcomings, if any, and demonstrating concrete results. As litigators, it is also incumbent upon us to cut through the technical jargon and learn how these solutions work so that we can clearly explain them to clients and judges, if necessary. By grounding innovation in practical outcomes, you can cut through a lot of the early skepticism that you may face.  

What is the best advice for younger attorneys looking to advance their own innovative ideas or visions?

Don’t be afraid to lead the charge. Young attorneys are often on the frontlines when it comes to the day-to-day mechanics of discovery and fact investigation, which gives them a unique perspective on inefficiencies, pain points, and opportunities for change. If something feels broken or unnecessarily complex, it probably is. And sometimes the best innovations begin not with sweeping institutional reforms, but with a single, well-executed improvement in workflow, process, or communication. So don’t be afraid to suggest those improvements to your team, clients, and vendors, even if you’re junior. Your perspective is a valuable one.

Reprinted with permission from the August 26th edition of The New York Law Journal © 2025 ALM Properties, Inc. All rights reserved. Further duplication without permission is prohibited.