Akerman's R&D Council was covered by LexisNexis' Business of Law Blog in a story titled, "Law2023: Seven Technology Opportunities for the Future of Law." The blog highlighted the firm's role within the broader context of Law2023, a year-long investigation on advancing the business of law by Akerman Chairman and CEO Andrew Smulian alongside other legal industry executives. The group examined the disruption happening in the market and then developed seven imperative rules for the future of legal practice to thrive; among which, the group believed that the law firm of the future should include a research and development department. The blog acknowledged Akerman as the first law firm to establish such a model.
The blog wrote, "The purpose is to research, design and build and commercialize new innovations. Law2023 suggests this is a model for law firms to follow to shape the 'way legal solutions are conceived, packaged, sold and applied.' Indeed Akerman LLP, one of the participants of the study announced plans in April to create the first law firm R&D department."