Ace Law: Mastering M&A in a Dynamic Market

In the heart of Diegem, Belgium, Ace Law operates as a leading law firm specializing in corporate and financial law. The firm is known for its ability to guide complex transactions and provide strategic advice to investment funds. The legal world is evolving rapidly, particularly in mergers and acquisitions, with tight deadlines and an exponential increase in the flow of information. Amid a competitive market, Ace Law continually strives to stay ahead by adopting digital innovation to maintain the delivery of high-quality work in an increasingly complex legal setting.

The Challenge: Reconciling Time and Quality

"Being able to provide high-quality, actionable advice within tight deadlines is at the core of Ace Law," explains Didier Roemers, founding partner of Ace Law. "To keep delivering on this promise, our lawyers should be able to focus on substantive analysis rather than repetitive tasks."

Due diligence is an essential part of an M&A trajectory. This process, which maps legal risks and obligations, demands both precision and speed. Ace Law encountered several obstacles:

Time Pressure: Tight deadlines for completing due diligence processes.

Repetitive / Administrative Tasks: Due diligence is time-consuming, as part of the process involves filling out factual information in data sheets and scanning countless repetitive documents.

Quality Control: In a market where speed is often confused with superficiality, Ace Law remains committed to delivering reliable, in-depth analyses.

Didier illustrates: "Team members sometimes spent hours sifting through data rooms without maintaining a general overview, which slowed down the due diligence process and made it inefficient."

The Breakthrough: A New Way of Working

Recognizing the need for structural change, Ace Law initiated an internal search for solutions. The firm explored various options to improve its processes without compromising quality or reliability. A pivotal moment came when the firm discovered Jurimesh, which led to a more intelligent way of conducting the due diligence process. Jurimesh is designed not only to accelerate the process but also to enhance its accuracy.

"We didn't just want to implement a tool; we wanted to introduce a new way of working," emphasizes Didier. "An approach where speed, precision, and clarity are paramount. While many LegalTech solutions focus on marginal gains, Jurimesh delivers direct results in terms of efficiency and speed in the due diligence process."

The Impact: A Transformed Due Diligence Process

Since integrating Jurimesh into its workflows, Ace Law has made significant strides:

Faster Document Analysis: Where lawyers once spent considerable time making an initial assessment of the data room, a first scan can now be completed within hours.

Improved Consistency: Automated red-flag detection and structural insights have enhanced the consistency of analyses.

Focus on Content: Lawyers now dedicate more time to substantive legal work and less to administrative tasks.

Beyond operational improvements, this new approach allows the team to focus on more substantive legal work, transforming due diligence from a labor-intensive administrative task into a strategic activity where efficiency and insight go hand in hand.

"Our junior associates learn faster now because they have direct access to relevant insights," explains Didier. "This gives them a competitive edge and strengthens team cohesion."

The Importance of Key Adopters

A crucial factor in this transformation has been the proactive involvement of the M&A team, including Rabauke Kenis, whose keen eye for process optimization helped ensure the smooth integration of Jurimesh into daily operations. His role illustrates why having a key player is essential in tech adoption within law firms. Such individuals understand both the legal intricacies and technological capabilities, serving as a bridge between the two. Their input helps tailor the solution to the firm's specific needs, ensures team buy-in, and supports long-term success.

Looking Ahead: Staying Aligned with Market Dynamics

Ace Law remains committed to investing in digital innovation. The firm views automation and process optimization as essential pillars for future success. Jurimesh continues to play a key role in this strategy, with a shared ambition to fully automate the due diligence process.

Conclusion: Smart Innovation for Legal Excellence

To continue delivering high-quality work in a timely manner within an increasingly complex legal setting, Ace Law has found the right balance by restructuring processes and strategically investing in due diligence optimization. The adoption of Jurimesh has been a pivotal moment, resulting in a more efficient due diligence process.