Reed Smith, Cornell Launch AI Program for Firm Partners
Reed Smith starts an AI Leadership Program with Cornell for its partners in September 2026.
Why it matters: Legal professionals advise clients on AI-related risks and compliance. This program equips partners with foundational AI knowledge plus strategy, governance, and ethics to enhance legal counsel on AI adoption and oversight.
- Program launches September 2026 at Cornell Tech, New York City.
- Curriculum covers AI fundamentals, legal strategy, ethics, and governance.
- Participants are Reed Smith partners focused on client AI advising.
- Includes expert sessions and workshops to develop AI adoption strategies.
Reed Smith and Cornell University have partnered to offer an AI Leadership Program for the firm’s partners starting in September 2026 at the Cornell Tech campus in New York City. The program aims to build deep expertise on AI’s legal and strategic implications for client advising.
The curriculum starts with foundational AI concepts and advances to applied legal strategy, focusing on governance frameworks and ethical considerations crucial for guiding clients through AI adoption challenges such as regulatory compliance and risk management.
Casey Ryan, Reed Smith’s Global Managing Partner, explained the motivation: "Clients face transformative AI challenges and require trusted advisors fluent in both technology and law. This program prepares our partners to meet that demand effectively."
Matthew D’Amore, Director of Cornell’s Law, Technology and Entrepreneurship Program, added that this collaboration fosters legal innovation by bridging AI expertise and legal practice.
Sessions combine expert instruction with collaborative workshops where participants create actionable plans for AI integration and governance strategies. This hands-on approach aligns with firms’ growing need to anticipate and navigate AI’s legal complexities.
The initiative reflects a wider industry trend to upskill legal professionals on AI, positioning Reed Smith at the forefront of AI legal advisory services. The program’s focus on governance and ethical issues also prepares lawyers to advise on mounting regulatory scrutiny around AI technologies.
By the numbers:
- September 2026 — Program launch at Cornell Tech, New York City
- Reed Smith — Exclusive participant firm
- 4 key curriculum areas — AI fundamentals, strategy, ethics, governance
Yes, but: The program’s value depends on actual curriculum outcomes and how effectively partners apply AI knowledge in client contexts; independent evaluation of impact remains pending.
What's next: Reed Smith plans to monitor program outcomes and explore expansion opportunities to other legal teams or clients based on initial results.