Paul Weiss and Columbia Law Launch AI Initiative for Law Students
Paul Weiss and Columbia Law School launch a five-year generative AI initiative.
Why it matters: This collaboration equips future lawyers with essential AI skills and ethics training, preparing them for the AI-driven legal landscape. It addresses the growing impact of AI on legal practice and responsible technology use.
- Partnership announced on October 14, 2026, for five years between Paul Weiss and Columbia Law School.
- Launch of AI @ CLS initiative integrating generative AI into law curricula and research.
- Elliott Ash named Paul, Weiss Distinguished AI Scholar in Residence, starting January 2027 for three years.
- Students gain access to AI platforms like Harvey and Legora tailored for legal use.
On October 14, 2026, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP announced a five-year partnership with Columbia Law School as the sole Lead Firm Partner of AI @ CLS, Columbia's Generative Artificial Intelligence Initiative.
This program aims to develop new curricular and co-curricular offerings, including an orientation module designed to give students a shared baseline in AI knowledge. The curriculum will integrate enterprise-grade generative AI tools, similar to those Paul, Weiss uses firmwide to maintain client confidentiality and professional standards.
Columbia Law School plans to provide students with access to AI platforms specifically built for the legal profession, such as Harvey and Legora, enhancing practical learning and technological fluency.
Starting January 2027, Elliott Ash will join Columbia Law as the inaugural Paul, Weiss Distinguished AI Scholar in Residence for a three-year term, supporting scholarship and thought leadership on AI and law.
Scott A. Barshay, Chairman of Paul, Weiss, emphasized, "Responsible use of AI has become a core part of how we deliver value to our clients on a day-to-day basis, and we believe it is essential for AI to be a major part of the education and training of law school students." Columbia Law Dean Daniel Abebe added that AI offers "an extraordinary opportunity to bridge Columbia Law School’s proud tradition of rigorous, theoretical education with the realities of modern legal practice."
By the numbers:
- 5 years — duration of Paul Weiss and Columbia Law School AI partnership
- 3 years — Elliott Ash's term as Paul, Weiss Distinguished AI Scholar in Residence from January 2027
What's next: Orientation module and curricular offerings to roll out starting in 2027 alongside Elliott Ash's appointment.