The University of Richmond School of Law’s Legal Business Design Hub is making headlines, as Fast Company named it a winner of the 2022 Innovation by Design Awards. 

The hub teaches law students how to use business principles to build law practices, focusing on strategy, project management, and entrepreneurship alongside law courses. Josh Kubicki, director of legal innovation and entrepreneurship at the law school, describes it as a combination of design school, business school, and a startup accelerator. 

“This approach is engaging law students in fundamentally new ways, so they view themselves as future legal service entrepreneurs, not just as traditional lawyers,” Kubicki said. “Winning this award recognizes our commitment to creating legal businesses capable of solving crucial problems today and anticipating pressing issues in the future.” 

The program focused on creating innovative business models that improve the reach and effectiveness of legal services. 

The program includes courses such as the business of law, building a legal services business, legal project and process leadership, and a legal business design challenge. The challenge gives students the opportunity to work directly with law firm leaders to identify problems and propose solutions. 

“Lawyers who apply business design significantly strengthen their ability to differentiate, deliver meaningful client experiences, operate efficiently, and create a more productive and healthy culture,” Kubicki said. 

The recognition from Fast Company is one of the most sought-after awards in innovation and design, Kubicki said, and will continue to elevate Richmond Law as one of the premier institutions in this field. The Legal Business Design Hub has been featured in multiple outlets for its innovative approach, including Reuters, Law.com, and Law360. 

UR is in good company, as honorees include leading businesses, including Nike, Verizon, and Microsoft. Entries are judged on innovation, functionality, originality, cultural impact, and business impact. Award winners are featured in the October print issue of Fast Company.