Use Case: AI-Driven Contract Risk Management
Company Profile
Fast-growing electrical subcontractor that had crossed the $300M revenue threshold and was taking on more complex projects across multiple regions.
Problem
The company handled over 100 contracts annually, ranging from small SOWs to high-value agreements requiring legal review. For years, the CFO, who was nearing retirement, was the primary reviewer of major contracts.
Contract execution had become inconsistent and reactive. Project managers were approving contracts based on scope feasibility alone, often unaware of legal or financial implications. High-value contracts still received legal oversight, but mid-tier agreements were falling through the cracks.
There was a lack of structured workflow and inconsistencies in review quality. External legal counsel was manual slow. There wasn’t a repository of preferred contract language and a lack of knowledge led training.
AI Solution
The workflow structure drove initial interest in the First Rule CLM, the platform’s AI features provided added value by improving access to contract information and supporting faster decision-making across teams.
Key capabilities:
AI-Powered Contract Review: Automatically identifies 100+ key contract terms like indemnification, force majeure, and liquidated damages, highlighting potential risk areas for further review.
Document Interrogation with Marten (trained AI assistant): Team members use Marten to ask plain-language questions about uploaded contracts and receive instant responses based on the actual documents.
Contract-Aligned Notice Drafting: Supports drafting of key notices, such as delay communications, based on contract language to help teams meet communication requirements.
Retained Contract Knowledge: Keeps key insights from previously reviewed contracts accessible within the platform, enabling more consistent decision-making and reducing repeated legal interpretation.
Risk Scoring: Assesses both project and contract risk using configurable, industry-relevant scoring frameworks, enabling more informed decision-making across departments.
Results
Improved consistency in contract review across all project tiers.
Decreased risk of missed terms and misinterpretation.
Increased team efficiency in routing, reviewing, and finalizing contracts.
More informed decision-making from field to executive levels.
Boosted institutional contract knowledge through embedded training.
Why it Matters
With growth comes complexity and risk. This subcontractor needed to prepare its processes and people to scale, especially as leadership transitioned and operational demands grew. First Rule provided not just a platform, but a structure that improved transparency, reduced bottlenecks, and helped the team build contract literacy without over-relying on legal counsel. As a result, the company gained confidence in its ability to execute contracts that protect both profit and performance.
Client Testimonial
From IT Director:
“Burger Consulting Group is extremely knowledgeable in all aspects of construction, and they did well in leading conversations, asking probative questions, and forcing us to think about how we’re doing things”.
