Reed Smith partners will attend the newly launched Reed Smith AI Leadership Program at Cornell Tech in New York City in September 2026. The program, developed with Cornell University's Executive Education unit, gives senior lawyers advanced grounding in AI strategy, ethics, digital transformation, and governance - precisely the expertise clients need as they adopt AI across their businesses.
Program curriculum and faculty
The curriculum progresses from foundational AI concepts to applied strategy, governance, and client-focused implementation. Participants will take part in expert-led sessions and structured ideation workshops designed to produce actionable roadmaps for AI transformation. The sessions address workforce impact and responsible adoption within regulatory and professional standards. Cornell faculty lead the instruction: Matthew D'Amore, Professor of the Practice and Director of the Law, Technology and Entrepreneurship Program; Karan Girotra, the Charles H. Dyson Family Professor of Management; and Nate Schorr, Adjunct Professor of Law. The initiative reflects the growing importance of AI for Executives & Strategy as firms build leadership capabilities around technology.
Investing in client-centered leadership
Casey Ryan, Global Managing Partner of Reed Smith, said: "Our clients are navigating one of the most significant technological shifts in a generation, and they need trusted advisors who understand AI at the highest level. The Reed Smith AI Leadership Program at Cornell University equips our partners to meet that moment, combining strategic vision, ethical grounding, and practical insight to guide clients through the complexities of AI-driven transformation." The firm stated the program will help its partners deliver more efficient and forward-looking counsel, reinforcing its focus on staying ahead of emerging technology challenges across industries.
Cornell partnership and industry recognition
Matthew D'Amore, Professor of the Practice and Director of the Law, Technology and Entrepreneurship Program at Cornell Tech and Cornell Law School, said: "Reed Smith has demonstrated true leadership and innovation by partnering with Cornell to create this first-of-its-kind program at the intersection of AI and legal practice. Cornell University's ability to connect thought leadership across law, technology, and business will equip Reed Smith with the strategic and technical expertise needed to navigate the rapidly evolving AI landscape. The program sets a new standard for how the legal industry prepares its leadership for the future." Cornell's Executive Education programs serve more than 500 organizations worldwide and have earned Brandon Hall Group HCM Excellence Awards for leadership development.
Why this matters for executives and strategy
For senior decision-makers in professional services, AI fluency is no longer a technical skill reserved for specialists. Law firms must embed strategic AI understanding at the partner level to advise clients on governance, risk, and transformation. Reed Smith's direct investment in a university-backed leadership program sets a concrete benchmark: partner-level AI training is becoming a competitive requirement, not a perk. Organizations that delay building these capabilities risk falling behind in client conversations and deal strategy.
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