Many law firm transformation initiatives fail because they treat AI and technology as upgrades rather than structural change. Eve Vlemincx argues that effective modernisation requires alignment across strategy, culture, innovation, and organisational transformation.

For deal teams, the real value of AI lies in freeing time for judgement and prioritisation in legal due diligence, not simply accelerating document review.

Emma Legal - Eve Vlemincx, The Legal SHIFT

In this episode of Legal Tech StartUp Focus, Rick van Esch, CEO of Emma Legal, discusses how modern due diligence technology addresses the fundamental challenge that deals don't fail because of effort, but because critical risks remain invisible to decision-makers when it matters most. Through AI-driven playbooks that structure document uploads against diligence request lists, automated red flag detection for material clauses, and permissioned collaboration platforms, Emma Legal transforms due diligence from a document review exercise into a strategic process that surfaces gaps early, enables informed decision-making, and creates lasting value through post-close integration and vendor due diligence preparation.

Representations, warranties, and indemnities decide who pays when the story breaks. In cross-border M&A the underlying jurisdiction is always in the background, shaping how that risk allocation actually works. Matthias De Buck (CapstoneLaw) explains the traps, the “standard” clauses with teeth, and why due diligence only counts when it changes the drafting.