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  • Products
      • Products

        At Datasite, we make sure every aspect of your deal is covered. From marketing and engagement. Through analytics and due diligence. To closing and post-merger integration. Our virtual data room consists of four core products that help you automate the entire M&A lifecycle.

    • Datasite for You
      • Datasite for You

        The Datasite value is unique to each customer. Tell us a little about yourself, and we’ll propose a solution that drives the greatest ROI for you and/or your client.

        Learn more
    • Datasite Outreach
      • Datasite Outreach

        Whether compiling buyer lists, or executing outreach activities and managing NDAs, Datasite Outreach is your essential resource for the deal marketing process.

        Learn more
    • Datasite Prepare
      • Datasite Prepare

        Datasite Prepare accelerates deal preparation with AI indexing, smart categorization, redaction & VDR integration to bring you into due diligence with a click.

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    • Datasite Diligence
      • Datasite Diligence

        Datasite Diligence Virtual Data Room (VDR) includes sophisticated analytics, an integrated redaction tool, ironclad security & world-class support with fast setup.

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    • Datasite Acquire
      • Datasite Acquire

        Datasite Acquire is dedicated to the needs of the buyside on single or multi-asset purchases.

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    • Datasite for Restructuring
      • Datasite for Restructuring

        Whether you’re shedding a few assets or engaged in a more complex workout, Datasite can help you complete transactions professionally, securely and efficiently.

        Learn more
    • Datasite for IPOs
      • Datasite for IPOs

        Datasite ensures a secure and agile IPO process management for issuers, advisors, and underwriters. Our data room solutions, support and 25+ years experience, keeps your IPO secure and your team nimble to optimize outcomes.

        Learn more
    • Datasite for Buy-Side
      • Datasite for Buy-Side

        Tired of messy, overly-manual sell-side reviews? Luckily, there’s a better way. Find out how top buyers are creating centralized, repeatable processes from the comfort of their own data room using Datasite.

        Learn more
    • Datasite for Sell-Side
      • Datasite for Sell-Side

        Datasite data room solutions empower dealmakers with the broadest reach to maximize valuations, breakthrough technology to breeze through due diligence, and insights to generate the best deal outcomes.

        Learn more
  • Solutions
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        Whatever your industry. Whether you are in corporate development, investment banking, private equity, or perhaps something else. Datasite gives dealmakers around the world the tools they need to succeed across the entire deal lifecycle.

    • Corporate Development
      • Corporate Development

        Corporate development professionals rely on Datasite M&A software for their sensitive transactions. Whatever deal stage, our M&A platform puts you in control.

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        The premier SaaS solutions for the M&A lifecycle. Working with boutique, middle market, and bulge bracket banks on transactions in over 170 countries.

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        Datasite is the premier legal due diligence solutions provider for M&A practitioners and law firms globally. More than a virtual data room, Datasite allows for automation of legal workflow across the entire deal lifecycle.

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        Whether you’re working on M&A, capital markets, or restructuring – Datasite helps energy & power companies complete transactions faster than ever.

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      • Financial Institutions

        Datasite supports the entire M&A lifecycle helping Financial Institutions to transact with confidence and act quickly while keenly managing risks & regulations.

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      • Healthcare & Life Sciences

        Whether you’re looking at a licensing, listing or M&A, achieve your objective quickly and keep sensitive data secure with Datasite.

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      • Industrials

        From manufacturing to transportation to defense, we understand the needs of your sub-sector. Datasite can help you keep your sensitive information secure.

        Learn more
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      • Technology, Media & Telecom

        Learn about the solutions available for making better, more secure technology deals happen with Datasite Diligence virtual data rooms.

        Learn more
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        Stay up to date with the latest developments and innovation in M&A. Network with fellow dealmakers and global thought-leaders. Datasite is your platform to contribute, to confer, to collaborate. Our aim is to put you at the center of everything.

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        We are Datasite. Creators of momentum, eliminators of doubt and builders of tomorrow. The leading SaaS provider for the M&A industry. However you do your deals. This is the place to make them.

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        The best people. And the best technology – a SaaS platform that works across the M&A lifecycle. However you do your deals. This is the place to make them.

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        Ready for the next big challenge? Grow your career, and join our experienced global team, transforming the world of M&A software.

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        Datasite, the maker of Datasite Diligence virtual data room platform, helping dealmakers in more than 170 countries (and every industry) close more deals, faster. See our success stories.

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        Reach out to Datasite, wherever you are in the world, and we’ll get you moving closer to your goals. Get the world-class support you need, anytime, anywhere. We’re available 24/7/365, in up to 18 languages.

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        Get the world-class support you need, anytime, anywhere. We’re available 24/7/365, in up to 18 languages.

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October 23, 2020

3 Ways Legal Advisors Can Sustain Profitability in Uncertain Times

BY STEVE J. TIE SHUE, SR. DIRECTOR - PRODUCT MARKETING

Leadership teams at law firms of all sizes have spent much of the year in strategic planning sessions pulling capital and operating expense levers to preserve margins. For transactional practice groups – M&A, restructuring & insolvency, capital markets – some decisions have been a direct response to the market impact on deal flow. Other responses have been driven by how their clients have reacted to the market – including a push for more alternative fee agreements (AFAs).

Although some presume there’s little individual lawyers can do to impact a law firm’s bottom line, advances in legal technology prove decisions in transaction management can bolster productivity and improve work product while reducing reputational risk to drive profitability and client retention. Here are three best practices for M&A legal advisors on every deal.

1.     Insist on data rooms with integrated productivity tools

Up to 20% of legal fees are written off annually due to onerous client billing requirements and almost as many M&A deals are invoiced under AFAs. As such, it is imperative for legal advisors and their matter teams to avoid spending more time than necessary on low-value work at high-risk of being questioned by clients.

Data rooms with in-app tools like Q&A management, user analytics & reporting, and OCR search capabilities can cut worktimes in half compared to standalone solutions and manual processes. This ensures efficiency in completing some of the most administrative elements of transaction management.

2.     Embrace artificial intelligence and machine learning to improve work product

AI/ML-enabled technology has experienced significant headways within law firms over the past couple of years. A key learning for early adopters is accepting that AI/ML solutions don’t replace human expertise – they enhance. Consider some recent Datasite enhancements as examples.

Smart Categories suggests topics for document tagging during data room preparation to ensure files are appropriately organized for review during due diligence. Similarly, Redaction AI uses pattern recognition to bulk mark selected documents in a few clicks. Both capabilities offer peace of mind to legal advisors that a large volume of data has been thoroughly parsed and reviewed to help inform their client recommendations and related work product.

3.     Don’t gamble on data security and content management

There have been a number of high-profile data breaches and cyber-attacks involving law firms recently. This has understandably spiked anxiety within the legal community as the reputational risk of such events can be catastrophic to client retention and new business development.

Regulatory compliance considerations, including GDPR / CCPA, necessitates ironclad security of transaction data regardless of deal size. However, legal advisors should take this governance one step further to ensure the platform used for transaction management offers granular user and content access controls as well as real-time logs tracking data room activity.

Legal advisors often thrive on market unpredictability. It keeps things interesting. However, they thrive even more on delivering stellar work product that leads to career-long client relationships.

Click here to schedule a demo to learn more about how Datasite helps law firms proceed with confidence during uncertain times.

Legal Dealmakers Market Report

Key insights on workflow challenges and solutions from 450+ legal advisors

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Secure collaboration, productivity tools, and expert support for legal teams on deals of all sizes

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  • Products
      • Products

        At Datasite, we make sure every aspect of your deal is covered. From marketing and engagement. Through analytics and due diligence. To closing and post-merger integration. Our virtual data room consists of four core products that help you automate the entire M&A lifecycle.

    • Datasite for You
      • Datasite for You

        The Datasite value is unique to each customer. Tell us a little about yourself, and we’ll propose a solution that drives the greatest ROI for you and/or your client.

        Learn more
    • Datasite Outreach
      • Datasite Outreach

        Whether compiling buyer lists, or executing outreach activities and managing NDAs, Datasite Outreach is your essential resource for the deal marketing process.

        Learn more
    • Datasite Prepare
      • Datasite Prepare

        Datasite Prepare accelerates deal preparation with AI indexing, smart categorization, redaction & VDR integration to bring you into due diligence with a click.

        Learn more
    • Datasite Diligence
      • Datasite Diligence

        Datasite Diligence Virtual Data Room (VDR) includes sophisticated analytics, an integrated redaction tool, ironclad security & world-class support with fast setup.

        Learn more
    • Datasite Acquire
      • Datasite Acquire

        Datasite Acquire is dedicated to the needs of the buyside on single or multi-asset purchases.

        Learn more
    • Datasite for Restructuring
      • Datasite for Restructuring

        Whether you’re shedding a few assets or engaged in a more complex workout, Datasite can help you complete transactions professionally, securely and efficiently.

        Learn more
    • Datasite for IPOs
      • Datasite for IPOs

        Datasite ensures a secure and agile IPO process management for issuers, advisors, and underwriters. Our data room solutions, support and 25+ years experience, keeps your IPO secure and your team nimble to optimize outcomes.

        Learn more
    • Datasite for Buy-Side
      • Datasite for Buy-Side

        Tired of messy, overly-manual sell-side reviews? Luckily, there’s a better way. Find out how top buyers are creating centralized, repeatable processes from the comfort of their own data room using Datasite.

        Learn more
    • Datasite for Sell-Side
      • Datasite for Sell-Side

        Datasite data room solutions empower dealmakers with the broadest reach to maximize valuations, breakthrough technology to breeze through due diligence, and insights to generate the best deal outcomes.

        Learn more
  • Solutions
      • Solutions

        Whatever your industry. Whether you are in corporate development, investment banking, private equity, or perhaps something else. Datasite gives dealmakers around the world the tools they need to succeed across the entire deal lifecycle.

    • Corporate Development
      • Corporate Development

        Corporate development professionals rely on Datasite M&A software for their sensitive transactions. Whatever deal stage, our M&A platform puts you in control.

        Learn more
    • Investment Banking
      • Investment Banking

        The premier SaaS solutions for the M&A lifecycle. Working with boutique, middle market, and bulge bracket banks on transactions in over 170 countries.

        Learn more
    • Law Firm
      • Law Firm

        Datasite is the premier legal due diligence solutions provider for M&A practitioners and law firms globally. More than a virtual data room, Datasite allows for automation of legal workflow across the entire deal lifecycle.

        Learn more
    • Private Equity
      • Private Equity

        Datasite empowers private equity professionals to advance with confidence during every stage of the PE life-cycle & complete transactions with ease.

        Learn more
    • Energy & Power
      • Energy & Power

        Whether you’re working on M&A, capital markets, or restructuring – Datasite helps energy & power companies complete transactions faster than ever.

        Learn more
    • Financial Institutions
      • Financial Institutions

        Datasite supports the entire M&A lifecycle helping Financial Institutions to transact with confidence and act quickly while keenly managing risks & regulations.

        Learn more
    • Healthcare & Life Sciences
      • Healthcare & Life Sciences

        Whether you’re looking at a licensing, listing or M&A, achieve your objective quickly and keep sensitive data secure with Datasite.

        Learn more
    • Industrials
      • Industrials

        From manufacturing to transportation to defense, we understand the needs of your sub-sector. Datasite can help you keep your sensitive information secure.

        Learn more
    • Technology, Media & Telecom
      • Technology, Media & Telecom

        Learn about the solutions available for making better, more secure technology deals happen with Datasite Diligence virtual data rooms.

        Learn more
  • Insights
  • Community
      • Community

        Stay up to date with the latest developments and innovation in M&A. Network with fellow dealmakers and global thought-leaders. Datasite is your platform to contribute, to confer, to collaborate. Our aim is to put you at the center of everything.

    • Events & Webinars
      • Events & Webinars

        Stay up to date with the latest developments and innovation in M&A. Join us at one of our live events, and learn something new.

        Learn more
    • Dealmaker's Circle
      • Dealmaker's Circle

        Help identify the technology needs of dealmakers across the M&A industry. Sign up for the Dealmaker's Circle and shape the future.

        Learn more
  • Company
      • Company

        We are Datasite. Creators of momentum, eliminators of doubt and builders of tomorrow. The leading SaaS provider for the M&A industry. However you do your deals. This is the place to make them.

    • About
      • About

        The best people. And the best technology – a SaaS platform that works across the M&A lifecycle. However you do your deals. This is the place to make them.

        Learn more
    • Careers
      • Careers

        Ready for the next big challenge? Grow your career, and join our experienced global team, transforming the world of M&A software.

        Learn more
    • News
      • News

        Keep up with our latest media coverage and press releases. And get the breaking news on our technology, partnerships, awards and people.

        Learn more
    • FAQs
      • FAQs

        Questions about Datasite, M&A, or Data Rooms? We have the answers for you.

        Learn more
    • Success Stories
      • Success Stories

        Datasite, the maker of Datasite Diligence virtual data room platform, helping dealmakers in more than 170 countries (and every industry) close more deals, faster. See our success stories.

        Learn more
  • Contact
      • Contact

        Reach out to Datasite, wherever you are in the world, and we’ll get you moving closer to your goals. Get the world-class support you need, anytime, anywhere. We’re available 24/7/365, in up to 18 languages.

    • Sales
      • Sales

        Speak to our authoritative sales team, wherever you are in the world, and we’ll get you started with a dataroom in no time.

        Learn more
    • Support
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        Get the world-class support you need, anytime, anywhere. We’re available 24/7/365, in up to 18 languages.

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Datasite provides secure software solutions for managing the full spectrum of financial transactions — including M&A, restructuring & administration, and capital raising. Our intuitive platform offers ironclad security enabling file sharing and collaboration within and across organizations. More than a virtual data room (VDR), Datasite supports advisors and their clients across the entire deal lifecycle with secure collaborative software that shortens timelines for buy-side and sell-side teams from deal sourcing and deal preparation to post-merger integration (PMI) while meeting regulatory compliance — including GDPR and CCPA requirements. As the premiere virtual data room for M&A due diligence globally, Datasite is consistently recognized for breakthrough technologies like our AI/ML-enabled capabilities and automated redaction tools. Beyond due diligence, Datasite provides transaction and document management solutions for investment banks, corporate development, private equity, and law firms across industries.