Andrew Cooke, an accomplished legal leader and bold advocate for innovation, shares his perspective on how AI-driven contract standardization is revolutionizing the legal landscape. As General Counsel at TravelPerk, the business travel management platform and global tech unicorn, Andrew oversees the risk management function for his teams in London, Europe and the US. His experience spans building award-winning teams at Fnatic, a pioneer in esports, and Flash Entertainment, where his leadership earned multiple accolades for excellence in legal strategy and innovation.
Passionate about being a lifelong learner, Andrew focuses on unlocking the full potential of his teams while embracing technology to create value. In this blog, he shares his thoughts on how AI can empower law firms and in-house legal teams to embrace standardization, reduce risk, and balance efficiency while enhancing the client experience.
Andrew will be joining us as a keynote speaker on In-House Day (February 11). His presentation, “From Barista to Coffee Machine Builder: Transforming Your Value Proposition Through Standardization and Customer Orientation,” will explore the mindset shift necessary for legal counsels to fully harness the benefits of standardization. He will also provide practical guidance on how to develop your "coffee machine" to better serve the needs of your internal clients. Until then, enjoy his interview!
How can AI-driven contract standardization reshape the relationship between law firms, in-house legal teams, and their clients, especially in balancing efficiency with personalized legal service?
Contract standardization is a by-product of better data - as to the evolving market position on a clause, the impact of case law, and so on. Law firms and in-house teams sit on huge untapped data sets which AI can help them unlock, to mutual advantage, in service of better outcomes for their respective end users.
How can in-house legal teams embrace standardization to deliver smarter, business-focused solutions for their internal clients?
By embracing two realities: first, not everything requires a bespoke response; and second, standardization reduces risk.
With legal operations leveraging AI tools, how can in-house teams and law firms ensure that AI adoption strengthens, rather than diminishes, their role as strategic business partners within their organizations?
Change management is loss management. Teams that cling on to the ways of working which AI is disrupting, or 'merely' use AI to speed up existing workflows (rather than rebuild workflows to reflect the strengths of AI) will inevitably find their value proposition diminishing. The better approach is to look at the experience of engaging legal, and obtaining legal deliverables, from the customer perspective - and ask whether AI can help in meeting customer needs in a way which is joyful for the customer. If the answer to that question is yes, all that is 'lost' is ways of working which no longer meet customer needs.
What are you most looking forward to hearing or experiencing at Future Contracts Miami?
The DNA of the TravelPerk Legal and Privacy team is embracing change, demystifying law and risk, and driving lawyer and client happiness. So I'm looking forward to meeting lots of happy lawyers, helping them look positively towards the future of contracting, and demystifying the process of standardization!
With the event set in Miami, there’s so much to explore! From food and unique experiences to stunning sights, is there a particular spot or activity in Miami that you’re especially excited about?
This is my first trip to Miami. I'm looking forward to getting together in real life with my brilliant colleagues in TravelPerk's Miami office, and getting in some runs in the sunshine.
Don’t miss the chance to hear Andrew and other industry leaders share their expertise live at Future Contracts Miami. Secure your spot today—get your tickets now and join the conversation shaping the future of legal innovation!
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