In a revealing conversation with Senne Mennes, the co-founder of ClauseBase and a former attorney at DLA Piper Brussels, I gained profound insights into the evolution of legal systems through risk management. Our discussion wasn't just about his transition from practicing IP law to pioneering document automation tools; it was a deeper dive into how his perception of risk has transformed the legal landscape.

Mennes emphasized a critical shift from traditional risk aversion to a more dynamic approach of risk calibration. He pointed out that the legal profession's conventional method of meticulously avoiding errors could hinder progress and innovation, especially in environments that demand rapid development and deployment of commercial strategies. This conventional approach, while effective in litigation or regulatory matters, could be a death knell for innovation within legal departments.

He advocates for a model where legal teams adopt a build-and-improve mentality rather than stick to the old protect-and-review strategy. This involves identifying which risks are truly significant, which can be tolerated, and which should be systematically flagged and remediated. Mennes stressed the importance of moving away from striving for perfect drafts and instead building robust feedback loops that enhance efficiency and adaptability.

Through the creation of ClauseBase, Mennes and his co-founder addressed their frustrations with inefficient drafting processes by developing a solution that they wished they had in their legal practices. This narrative is a powerful reminder that innovation doesn't necessarily require groundbreaking ideas but can stem from addressing everyday inefficiencies with practical, scalable solutions.

A poignant part of our discussion highlighted how traditional legal frameworks disconnect lawyers from the benefits of risk-taking, which are typically enjoyed by the business side of operations. Mennes believes that to foster a culture of innovation, legal teams need to recalibrate their understanding of risk to also see the potential rewards of expedited processes and clearer contracts.

Additionally, Mennes touched upon the unnecessary pursuit of perfection in legal drafts, advocating instead for clarity and practicality. He pointed out that speed and efficiency, when the stakes are low, should take precedence over absolute precision, aligning legal practices more closely with business needs.

In conclusion, the interview with Senne Mennes provided a compelling blueprint for modernizing in-house legal teams. By shifting from risk aversion to risk calibration, legal departments can transform from being barriers to enablers of business innovation. His insights encourage legal professionals to rethink how they manage risk, aiming not just to prevent bad outcomes but to actively engineer positive ones.

Watch the full interview with Senne Mennes here: [Interview Link](https://youtu.be/BVRGGhs7IkY)

What would happen if your legal team started treating contracts as systems rather than static documents? If perfection was no longer the goal, but rather optimizing for speed, clarity, and learning? This shift in perspective might just be the key to unlocking the next level of efficiency and innovation in legal systems.