From the practice.

Writing about contract intelligence, M&A diligence, and how legal AI should (and shouldn't) work.

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All M&A Intelligence Practice Commercial Contracts Litigation Support Ethics & Compliance Engineering

All articles

Contract pages with highlighted clause provisions
M&A Intelligence

Why Change-of-Control Clauses Break Deals at Closing

The change-of-control trigger that surfaces at closing is almost never discovered on day one. We looked at 40 deals and found where it hides.

Stack of legal due diligence folders on a desk
Practice

The Four-Day Problem in Due Diligence

The critical non-standard clause is almost always found on day four. Here's the anatomy of why — and what it costs the deal.

Abstract visual representing financial and legal standards
M&A Intelligence

What's Market on Indemnity Caps in Mid-Market M&A

Mid-market M&A indemnity caps have been drifting. We looked at where the market has settled and what we see in current transactions.

Legal brief pages with attorney notation marks, confidential theme
Ethics & Compliance

Attorney-Client Privilege and AI Document Review: What Rule 1.6 Actually Requires

ABA Model Rule 1.6 requires competent measures when using technology that processes client data. Here's what that actually means for AI review tools.

Open legal reference binder with tabs and annotations
Practice

Building a Firm Playbook for Contract Review

A firm playbook for contract review is the baseline that makes AI comparison useful. Here's how to build one that actually reflects your positions.

Document production boxes in a legal review room
Litigation Support

First-Pass Relevance Review: Where AI Helps and Where Attorneys Still Lead

AI relevance classification gets you to the right 2,000 documents. The attorney's judgment about what those documents mean is still irreplaceable.

Contract pages with gap highlighted in acquisition documentation
M&A Intelligence

IP Assignment Gaps in Startup Acquisitions: The Clause Associates Miss on Day Two

In startup acquisitions, the IP assignment agreement is the most likely document to have a gap that surfaces post-close. Here's the pattern.

Calendar page with contract renewal deadline circled
Commercial Contracts

SaaS MSA Auto-Renewal Traps: What Your Client Already Signed

The auto-renewal window in most SaaS MSAs is 30-60 days before the anniversary date. Clients miss it every time. Here's what to look for.

US state map abstraction with legal document overlay
M&A Intelligence

Governing Law in Multi-State Transactions: When the Clause Matters

Governing law clauses look like boilerplate until they're not. In multi-state transactions, the choice of law often determines whether a non-compete holds.

Precision measurement tools alongside legal documents
Engineering

How We Approach Accuracy in Clause Flagging

False positives destroy attorney trust faster than false negatives. Our approach to clause flagging accuracy starts there.

Structured log entries on legal review paper
Litigation Support

Privilege Log Automation: What Actually Works in Production Review

Automated privilege log drafting works at the description-generation level. The attorney-client call still requires an attorney. Here's where the line sits.

Insurance binder and acquisition term sheet on desk
M&A Intelligence

Rep-and-Warranty Insurance Is Changing How Firms Scope Diligence

RWI carriers are asking harder questions about diligence depth. That's changing how acquirers scope their document review — and what AI review has to cover.

Privacy regulation document alongside commercial contract pages
Commercial Contracts

Data Processing Clauses Post-CTDPA: What Commercial Contracts Need to Say

Connecticut's CTDPA created new obligations for data processing agreements. Here's the clause language that most vendor contracts still get wrong.

Large collection of due diligence document packages stacked on shelves
Practice

What We Learned From 100 Diligence Rooms

After reviewing 100 M&A diligence packages, a clear pattern emerges: the clause that breaks the deal is never on the index, and it's almost never where you expect it.