Attwells Solicitors celebrates KTP success

Attwells Solicitors recently marked the completion of a fruitful three-year Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with the University of Essex, resulting in the creation of a new client portal and the permanent hiring of KTP Associate Sriteja Chilkamarri. This partnership, which ran from January 2024 to September 2026, united the legal expertise of Attwells with the academic knowledge from the university, presenting an ambitious technology initiative aimed at enhancing communication and information sharing between the firm and its clients.

Sriteja played a pivotal role in the project, designing and developing the client portal while collaborating closely with the firm and benefitting from the mentorship of Laura Harrington-Rutterford, Partner and Chief Operating Officer at Attwells Solicitors. This project aligns with Attwells’ broader commitment to harnessing technology and innovation to enhance their client experience, all while preserving the personal and approachable service that characterises the firm.

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships are a well-established programme in the UK, intending to foster innovation by linking businesses with academic expertise and skilled graduates. This collaboration gave Attwells the ability to fuse its deep understanding of legal services with advanced technical skills, ensuring a solution bespoke to the needs of their busy law firm. Sriteja, who holds a Master of Science degree from the University of Leeds, assumed the position of KTP Associate and was responsible for the portal’s development from the initial concept to its final implementation.

Throughout the KTP, Sriteja immersed himself in the workings of Attwells, gaining insights into the practical requirements of both the firm and its clients, ultimately leading to a tailored solution. The successful launch of the portal is not the only achievement from this partnership. After the KTP's conclusion, Sriteja transitioned to a permanent role at Attwells, allowing the firm to retain the invaluable knowledge, skills, and experiences cultivated during the project.

Laura Harrington-Rutterford remarked “The Knowledge Transfer Partnership has given us a fantastic opportunity to bring together legal expertise, academic support and technology to develop something specifically around the needs of our firm and our clients. Sriteja has played an integral role throughout the project, taking the client portal from an idea through the design and development process to create a portal for Attwells. We are delighted that the end of the KTP is not the end of Sriteja’s journey with Attwells.”

In addition, Sriteja shared his experience, stating “Working on the Knowledge Transfer Partnership with Attwells and the University of Essex has given me the opportunity to apply my technical knowledge to a real business challenge and see the project develop from its earliest stages through to implementation. I have really valued the support and guidance I have received throughout the KTP, particularly from Laura and the wider Attwells team. I am very pleased to be continuing my career with Attwells and look forward to developing the portal further and contributing to the firm’s future technology projects.”

The University of Essex boasts a strong history in Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, assisting various organisations in translating academic insights into real-world commercial solutions. This project exemplifies how successful collaboration among professional services firms, academic institutions, and talented graduates can fuel practical innovation with benefits that endure beyond the partnership. The completion of this KTP highlights Attwells’ ongoing investment in its personnel, technology, and client services.

Laura further remarked “Technology is changing the way professional services are delivered, but for us innovation must always have a clear purpose. It should make things easier, clearer or more convenient for our clients and support our teams in delivering an excellent service. Our partnership with the University of Essex has enabled us to invest in that ambition while developing valuable technical knowledge within the firm. We are excited about what comes next”