Reed Smith to School Partners on AI – Is This Useful?

2026-06-30 · Source: Artificial Lawyer · Field: Legal & Regulatory — Legal Technology (LegalTech), Compliance & Risk Management · Depth: Intermediate, short

Summary

Reed Smith has launched an "AI Leadership Program" at Cornell University, designed to equip its partners to guide clients through the legal complexities of AI adoption and use. The program aims to enhance the firm's ability to support clients navigating significant technological shifts, focusing on foundational AI knowledge, applied strategy, ethics, and governance. Casey Ryan, Global Managing Partner, stated the initiative combines strategic vision, ethical grounding, and practical insight for AI-driven transformation. However, the article questions the program's primary value, suggesting that while advice on AI ethics and governance is useful, the greater need is for law firms to fundamentally reinvent their "Big Law model V.0.1." This reinvention should address the "means of production," data leveraging, billing, and junior lawyer training, rather than solely client-facing AI advice. The article proposes that senior leaders should focus on transforming the firm's internal operations, highlighting events like the Legal Innovators conferences as alternatives for high-level discussions on AI's impact on the business of law.

Key takeaway

For equity partners and leadership within law firms evaluating AI integration strategies, you should prioritize internal business model transformation over solely client-facing AI advisory programs. Your firm's long-term viability hinges on fundamentally rejuvenating the "Big Law model V.0.1" by reinventing operational aspects like data leveraging, billing structures, and junior lawyer training. Focus your top team's efforts on these core changes to secure your firm's future in the AI age.

Key insights

Law firms must reinvent their internal business model to thrive in the AI age, beyond just advising clients.

Principles

• AI is the most significant technological shift for knowledge industries in generations.
• The traditional "Big Law model V.0.1" is outdated and requires fundamental rejuvenation.
• True value creation in the AI era demands internal operational transformation.

In practice

• Prioritize leadership development on internal firm transformation strategies.
• Engage with industry events like Legal Innovators for business-of-law AI insights.
• Utilize internal legal AI consultancies for firm-wide operational change.

Topics

• Legal AI
• Law Firm Transformation
• AI Ethics
• Legal Business Models
• Professional Development
• AI Governance

Best for: Legal Professional, Director of AI/ML, Consultant

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Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by Artificial Lawyer.