Ironclad Bets on AI Agents to Transform Contract Lifecycle Management

NEW YORK, NY – November 13, 2025

The Rise of ‘Agentic’ AI in Legal Tech

Ironclad, a leading contract lifecycle management (CLM) platform, is pushing the boundaries of automation with the release of its next-generation AI ‘agents.’ These agents, designed to handle tasks ranging from contract intake to redlining and conversational search, represent a significant evolution in how businesses manage their agreements – moving beyond simple automation toward more proactive and intelligent systems. The company’s announcement coincides with the appointment of Sunita Verma as Chief Technology Officer, signaling a strategic commitment to artificial intelligence.

“We’re seeing a real shift in the CLM landscape,” says one legal operations professional familiar with the technology. “It’s no longer enough to just digitize contracts. Companies want AI that can actually do things – proactively identify risks, enforce compliance, and accelerate negotiations.”

Ironclad’s approach, which centers around a network of specialized agents working collaboratively, differs from earlier iterations of AI in CLM. While many platforms offer AI-powered features like optical character recognition or basic clause detection, Ironclad aims to create a system where contracts manage themselves, freeing up legal teams to focus on more strategic work.

Beyond Automation: What Makes Ironclad’s Approach Unique?

The key to Ironclad’s new agents lies in their ability to perform complex tasks with minimal human intervention. The Intake Agent, for example, automatically extracts crucial metadata from third-party documents, while the Redlining Agent leverages AI to suggest edits and ensure consistency with previously negotiated agreements. The Conversational Search agent facilitates quick access to key information buried within large volumes of contracts.

“The goal is to empower legal teams to move beyond reactive contract management to proactive risk mitigation and strategic decision-making,” explains one industry analyst. “It's about turning contracts from static documents into active business assets.”

This ‘agentic’ approach is more than just a technological upgrade; it’s a fundamental shift in how legal teams operate. By automating routine tasks and providing access to real-time insights, Ironclad aims to streamline workflows, reduce errors, and improve overall efficiency. “It's not about replacing lawyers, but about augmenting their capabilities,” a source familiar with the development explains. “The AI handles the repetitive tasks, freeing up legal professionals to focus on complex issues and strategic initiatives.”

A Competitive Landscape

Ironclad isn’t alone in its pursuit of AI-powered CLM. Companies like Conga, Icertis, and DocuSign are all investing heavily in artificial intelligence, creating a highly competitive landscape. Icertis recently acquired Dioptra, an AI-driven contract review startup, to bolster its offerings, while Conga is also touting new AI models for data extraction and risk scoring.

“The CLM market is undergoing a period of rapid innovation,” says one market analyst. “Companies are realizing that AI is no longer a ‘nice-to-have’ – it’s a ‘must-have’ if they want to stay competitive.”

This competition is driving down prices and accelerating the pace of innovation, benefiting businesses of all sizes. While some vendors are focusing on specific niche markets, Ironclad is taking a more comprehensive approach, aiming to provide a full-featured CLM platform with AI embedded throughout. One source noted that the key differentiator between competitors will be the robustness of their AI models and the ability to seamlessly integrate with existing business systems.

The Human Impact and Future of CLM

AES Corporation is among the early adopters of Ironclad’s Jurist AI assistant, leveraging its capabilities to streamline contract review and negotiation processes. “Jurist has become an essential part of our toolkit,” noted one AES representative. “It allows us to analyze contracts more efficiently and ensure compliance with our internal policies.”

However, the successful implementation of AI in CLM requires more than just technology. It also requires a change in mindset and a willingness to embrace new ways of working. Legal teams need to be trained on how to use the new tools and how to interpret the results. They also need to be prepared to collaborate with data scientists and IT professionals to ensure that the AI systems are properly configured and maintained.

The future of CLM is likely to be shaped by several key trends, including the increasing use of AI and machine learning, the growing demand for cloud-based solutions, and the rise of remote work. As these trends continue to unfold, businesses will need to adapt their strategies and embrace new technologies to stay ahead of the curve. Ironclad, with its commitment to innovation and its focus on ‘agentic’ AI, appears well-positioned to lead the way.