Kicking off our #miaME series is Ben Weinberger, Managing Counsel at Which? and a trailblazer in legal tech. With decades of experience, Ben is at the forefront of AI-driven transformation, helping law firms and in-house teams streamline processes and boost profitability.
In this conversation, he shares his vision for AI’s impact on contract standardization, the ethical challenges it brings, and what excites him most about Future Contracts Miami—including his top place to explore in his hometown.
Enjoy!
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?
I hate making predictions – they remind me how wrong I sometimes get things (I predicted the death of the billable hour about a decade ago – that hasn’t aged well). On this one, though, given the success of OneNDA, I’m rooting for a OneMSA for SaaS and PS. The more standardization we can get to, the more efficient in-house teams can be with their reliance on outside counsel. AI is like search on steroids – everyone has access to everything more so than ever before, so there’s less competitive advantage in scale, meaning firms all have to compete in other ways, client service and experience being the most impactful. Even with the advances in AI, an experienced lawyer will understand the nuances and help separate the wheat from the chaff.
As law firms and in-house teams increasingly use AI in contract negotiation, what ethical, operational, and strategic considerations are essential to maintain client trust and accountability?
AI isn’t infallible, just as inexperienced (or, really, even experienced) lawyers are not infallible. The same way that law firm partners are liable for mistakes made by their associates, lawyers relying on AI are responsible for their work product.
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?
AI has democratized legal “answers” as everyone has access to almost everything; but lawyers truly add value by understanding their businesses and helping guide decisions. A good lawyer will recognize risks and can help business leaders navigate around and mitigate those risks. A good lawyer understands the intersection of regulatory hurdles, risks, and commercial considerations that are relevant to the business.
What are you most looking forward to hearing or experiencing at Future Contracts Miami?
For me, the best value I get from an event such as this will be a mix of networking and the opportunity to hear what others are doing in this space. I’ve been doing this for three decades now and it feels like we’re seeing such an acceleration of what technology can do that it’s more important now to ensure we understand what possibilities exist and to try and learn from others’ successes and mistakes.
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?
Well, I grew up in Miami, so, for me this is a serendipitous excuse to see friends and family. Also, since it’s early February, the temperature is typically nice for walking around without breaking a sweat, so it’s a great time for me to walk into Coconut Grove to meet up with friends.
Ben Weinberger is just one of the many innovative minds joining us at Future Contracts Miami. Don’t miss the chance to engage with him directly during Day 2’s roundtable, "Real AI in Action: Sharing Use Cases Across Legal Roles."
This interactive workshop is your opportunity to explore AI-driven solutions in legal practice, learn from Ben’s hands-on experience, and share your own challenges and successes. Together, we’ll uncover practical strategies to harness AI’s potential in law firm and in-house settings.
Be part of the conversation shaping the future of legal practice. See you at the table!
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