Clayton Utz's Shengshi Zhao was named Young Professional of the Year at the International Legal Technology Association 's 9th Annual Distinguished Peer Awards in Washington DC on 21 August.

Shengshi was one of just three legal technology professionals globally to be shortlisted for the accolade. She was selected as the winner for her outstanding performance and leadership in legal technology, as well as her approach to team development and her volunteer work in the legal technology community.

A manager in the firm's Forensic and Technology Services (FTS) practice group, Shengshi is a qualified lawyer and certified fraud examiner specialising in digital forensics and eDiscovery Legal Technology. She is part of Clayton Utz's growing FTS team managing large scale eDiscovery matters, forensic investigations and data analytics projects for the firm's clients.

Commenting on her win, Shengshi said: "Technology is a passion of mine and I am fortunate to work in a firm that understands technology and is at the forefront of harnessing its power to deliver better, more innovative solutions for clients.

"I am also grateful to my team - we constantly challenge each other and our ideas so we can grow to be the very best in legal technology, and this has helped shape me into the leader I am today. This award is a tribute to my team."