In conversation with Bernardo M. Cremades, Jr.
Partner at B. Cremades y Asociados
Bernardo M. Cremades, Jr. is a partner at B. Cremades y Asociados, a Madrid-based firm renowned for its leadership in global arbitration and dispute resolution. With a legacy of shaping international arbitration standards and landmark cases, Bernardo shares how his firm combines innovation, expertise, and collaboration to deliver results for clients worldwide. He also reveals how Jus AI is transforming their practice, streamlining workflows, enhancing efficiency, and paving the way for the future of legal work.
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Can you introduce yourself and give us an overview of your firm’s focus and international presence?
My name is Bernardo M. Cremades, Jr., and I’m a partner with B. Cremades y Asociados in Madrid, Spain. We are a dispute resolution boutique with offices in Madrid, and we typically conduct arbitrations—both investor-state and commercial—across the world. We also have a very strong litigation practice. We litigate at all levels of the Spanish judicial system and also conduct litigation in the United States. From Madrid, we have US-qualified lawyers on staff. We cover a wide range of industries, including pharmaceuticals, oil and gas, mining, football, and so on. Additionally, we partner with peer firms to provide the best service for our clients worldwide.
Can you tell us a little about your firm’s legacy?
The legacy of our firm is significant. We were the first arbitration boutique in Spain and the first to be involved in arbitration, specifically international arbitration and investment arbitration. Our firm has been involved in many developments in international arbitration. For instance, my father was part of a tribunal that was the first to recognize lex mercatoria in international arbitration. He was also part of the tribunal that established the Salini test.
As counsel, we have been involved in many landmark cases, such as the Mazacruz case, where the Constitutional Court in Spain recognized a new standard for the annulment of arbitration awards. Previously, many arbitration awards were set aside by the superior courts in Spain. Now, the standard is much narrower, which has been crucial in establishing Spain as a good place to arbitrate. We were also involved in the PUMA case, where the Supreme Court established a new standard for arbitrator liability.
As a valued client, what has driven your firm to trust Jus Mundi?
I recall a few years back when Jean-Rémi de Maistre came to our offices to show us Jus Mundi. We hadn’t heard about Jus Mundi at that time, and we were very impressed with the platform. That was probably six or seven years ago when they were just starting. We told him it was a promising product, but it needed some upgrades and features. Six months later, Jean-Rémi returned with all those improvements, saying, “Now we have the platform you want.”
We were the first in Spain to sign a contract with Jus Mundi and have used it every day since. I’ve even spoken to Jus Mundi’s investors because I truly believe in the platform’s potential. And now, with Jus AI, this will certainly take things to the next level.
How has integrating Jus AI into your daily workflow impacted your efficiency?
Jus AI has definitely impacted our efficiency. Tasks that used to take hours, days, or even weeks can now be completed in minutes. We can find cases very rapidly, and they are more relevant for our briefs.
We also use Jus AI as a starting point. When we get a new case, we can upload the documents and get a chronology within minutes. This allows us to map out the case early on and be better prepared for the first meeting with the client.
What specific features of Jus AI do you find most valuable in your work, and why?
I find several features of Jus AI particularly valuable. One is the ability to upload documents and ask questions about them. It is also linked with the Jus Mundi database, so we can find information to improve our drafting, get case suggestions, or understand jurisdictional or doctrinal developments to improve our writing.
I also like the fact that Jus AI can summarize documents. It works both with the Jus Mundi database and with the documents we upload. This means we don’t have to read full documents; we can go straight to the most important sections.
It’s also very practical for drafting memoranda or emails to clients. For example, the other day, I needed to explain to a client what a trigger letter is. I asked Jus AI to summarize it in one paragraph, and within seconds, I had the answer. I drafted the email in five minutes instead of the 15 or 20 it would have taken otherwise.
I also use Jus AI to research arbitrator profiles. In the past, we might have spent over $100,000 in billable hours researching the right arbitrator, reading awards, and reviewing writings. Now, we can simply ask for an arbitrator’s position on specific issues or upload their writings if they aren’t on the Jus Mundi platform. This saves significant time and reduces costs for clients.
I also appreciate that Jus AI allows users to ask questions in multiple languages and receive responses in multiple languages. It’s a very efficient tool that saves time and increases accuracy.
How has artificial intelligence (AI) shaped the legal industry, and what role do you see it playing now and in the future?
AI has influenced the legal industry and will continue to do so. I remember when I was a young associate in New York at a law firm, spending thousands of hours on ordinary tasks like Blue Booking, cross-referencing, and translating. With AI, that’s no longer going to be the case for young associates because those can now be done more efficiently.
Note: This interview is a transcription of a video interview with Bernardo M. Cremades, Jr. shot on November 8, 2024, and edited for clarity and readability. The full interview is available for viewing here.
Bernardo M. Cremades, Jr. shares how Jus AI enhances efficiency in arbitration practice. From rapid case research to summarizing documents and profiling arbitrators, Jus AI streamlines workflows and helps legal professionals deliver precise results with ease. Tailored for the demands of global dispute resolution, it’s a powerful tool for modern legal work.
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