Legaltech Arcade Rob MacAdam

In this episode, I talk to Martin Clausen, CEO of Syngrato about the exciting rise of computational contracts and his new product, HyperContracts. We discuss what computational contracts are, the benefits of building computational models of commercial relationships, simulating outcomes before and after execution, how version control works when dealing with computational contracts, why applying a coding mindset to contract drafting can improve quality and decrease risk, and why they are different from smart contracts!
Topics of discussion
The origins of HyperContracts
What computational contracts are and their benefits
Contract-as-a-service
Computational contracts for government framework agreements
Using event flows to run contractual simulations
How a contract can answer questions about itself
Contractual debugging and QA
Versioning and source control for computational contracts
How to get started with computational contracts

In this episode, I talk to Christophe Frerebeau, Founder and CEO of Della. We discuss the evolution of AI in law, why other AI tools have been focusing on the wrong problem,  the Q&A approach to AI contract review, the interaction of legal AI with voice services, how contracts can be re-designed to lead to better outcomes, the use of AI in contract negotiation and the areas where the legal AI hype is justified.
Topics of discussion
Introduction to Della and the problem it solves
From software engineer to legal tech founder
Why AI isn’t being used to its full extent in legal
Becoming the google of contract analysis
Augmented intelligence over artificial intelligence
Layering AI tools on top of popular voice services
How AI tools can support the full contract lifecycle
Use of AI in contract negotiation
The future of AI in law - what next?

In this episode, I talk to Adam Roney, Founder and CEO of Calls9. We discuss the challenges facing professional services organisations, the move from professional services 1.0 to 2.0, the role of technology in driving change within professional services, the stages of a digital transformation journey, success factors when approach a digital transformation project and the importance of company culture.
Topics of discussion
From innovation competition winner to tech CEO
The origins and mission of Calls9
The evolving professional services landscape
Hybrid digital/physical professional services offerings
Empowering teams with connected digital workspaces
Improving customer experiences with technology
The dangers of risk averse culture and a lack of vision
Why digital transformation audits are so important
The role of company culture in digital transformation

In this episode, I talk to Tara Waters, Partner and Head of Ashurst Advance Digital, who began her career as a web developer and then moved into the law. We discuss the current state of tech within law firms, how the focus has evolved from digital services to digital products, considerations for law firms looking to build their own software, differentiating with technology, what legal tech can learn from open banking and the need for what Tara calls the "law-to-law model" to drive greater collaboration and client value.
Topics of discussion
Going from web development to law
The current shape of leal tech in law firms
From digital services to digital products
Roles within digital teams
The importance of buy vs. build for law firms
Structuring for digital legal service delivery
Whether law firms are serious about digital transformation
How law firms can differentiate with technology
The need for more collaboration between firms
Tips for getting into legal technology

In this episode, I talk to Owen Oliver, Head of Product at StructureFlow and former co-founder of Workshare Transact. We discuss the challenges of building new tech products, how the legal tech landscape has changed in the last few years, why it made sense to take the Transact platform in-house at Workshare, his experiences as a legal tech intrapreneur and why he's excited to now be tackling visual modelling of corporate structures and transactions at StructureFlow.
Topics of discussion
The origins of Workshare Transact
Finding a co-founder
Why is made sense to take the product to Workshare
Pros and cons of building a new product in an established vendor
The key factors for the success of Workshare Transact
Adoption challenges for new technology
The impact of the sale of Workshare to Litera
The future of Transaction Management
Background to his recent move to StructureFlow
Visual modelling or corporate structures and transactions
Why 'going visual' is the future of legal tech

In this episode, I talk to Tom Dunlop, Founder and CEO of Summize. We discuss his journey from representing Team GB in badminton and getting into sports agency, to working as an in-house lawyer for fast-growth tech companies and founding Summize. We explore how legal tech vendors can succeed by leveraging the 1% principle to focus on delivering simple, yet high-value solutions that can deliver significant benefits for their customers.
Topics of discussion
The importance and benefits of automated contract summaries
From European No. 1 badminton player to legal tech founder
Bringing a sports mentality into professional life
Series A and the importance of securing finance
Advice for lawyers wanting to get into legal tech
Why being a creative lawyer can unlock career opportunities
Using video walkthroughs to humanise contract negotiation
Key factors currently impacting in-house legal teams
Analysis paralysis caused by a crowded legal tech market
How to remove friction when selling legal technology
Key factors when onboarding new customers
The future of legal tech post-pandemic
The deconstruction of one-stop-shop platforms