We spoke to Justin Turman, a former corporate lawyer now based in the Netherlands about his journey from lawyer to legal technologist, where he sees the biggest opportunities for efficiency, and how teams can take their first steps into automation.
What’s your story? Can you give us a brief overview of your career so far?
I'm an American lawyer so I had to study something else before law. I studied computers and linguistics. I worked in-house and quickly realised how much of legal work involves repetitive processes that could be streamlined using my language and computer skills. That curiosity led me to explore automation tools and I’ve since pivoted to helping legal teams work smarter with technology.
How did you end up being based in the Netherlands?
I relocated for a global in-house role. I speak many languages and have lived in many countries. I really enjoy living in different cultures and so this was one of my primary drivers for going into law. If I wasn't a lawyer, my dream job would be to work in intelligence.
Why did you pivot from being a lawyer to helping in-house legal teams work more efficiently?
As an in-house lawyer, I was spending too much time on tasks that didn’t need a lawyer’s brainpower: triaging emails, preparing standard NDAs, chasing approvals. I realised there had to be a better way. Once I started building small automations and workflows, I saw how transformative it could be for legal teams under pressure.
Where are the main opportunities for in-house teams to automate or improve processes?
Start with the basics: intake and triage, contract generation, and approvals. These are high-volume, low-complexity areas where automation can save hours each week. From there, teams can explore AI to summarise documents or surface key information faster.
How important is your in-house experience in helping other teams?
It’s crucial. Having worked in-house, I know the realities of limited budgets, overworked teams, and scepticism about new tools. That perspective helps me design practical solutions that legal teams can actually implement.
What’s the best way for in-house legal teams to get started with automation?
Start small. Pick one pain point. Maybe automating NDA requests or creating a self-service portal. And build from there. Quick wins build confidence and create momentum for broader change.
What’s your view on the current and future role of AI in legal work?
AI will play a huge role, but the immediate gains for most teams are in automating routine workflows. AI should be seen as a co-pilot: helping lawyers get to insights faster, not replacing judgment or nuance.
What’s the single most important piece of advice you’d give in-house legal teams?
Don’t wait for perfection. Experiment. Even small improvements can free up time and mental space for higher-value work. We have the tools needed. As shown in my life experience, a persistent person with an imagination is unstoppable.
