• Latham & Watkins’ new “AI Academy” will provide foundational AI training for associates, expanding later to partners.

• Initial training focuses on generative AI, regulatory landscapes, and preparing attorneys to answer client questions on AI.

• Similar programs are emerging at other firms.

Latham & Watkins is introducing an "AI Academy," a structured, in-depth training program to prepare its attorneys for the growing influence of artificial intelligence in legal practice, a Law.com report says. 

The initiative, one of the first of its kind in Big Law, initially targets associates in their first through fourth years, eventually extending to senior attorneys and partners as the program grows. 

• The Academy is a multiprong program that includes events, educational classes and networking opportunities—both internally and externally with clients and vendors—throughout the year.

• The program had 125 participants (about 60% corporate and 40% litigation) in its first two-day event recently, and it will grow from there.

• Michael Rubin, leader of the firm's AI Task Force who also serves as the global vice chair of the technology industry group, said the response from those who did attend the initial long weekend event was remarkably positive.

Training Modules Cover Emerging Issues

As AI’s presence in legal matters expands, attorneys face growing questions from clients on issues like AI’s regulatory status, ethical concerns, and how to leverage it within corporate and compliance structures. 

To address these demands, Latham’s program covers topics such as:

• generative AI applications.

• client counseling on AI's role in their sectors.

• and jurisdiction-specific regulations in regions like the U.S., EU, and APAC

Focus on Associates

Associates taking part in the program are given hours credit for the time they put in at training. The idea of focusing on early career associates was due to their comparative fluency in all things tech, Rubin said.

Rubin added that Latham's early entry into this formalized training will provide a leg up for firm attorneys as generative AI becomes more and more widespread in its use.

A Growing Trend in Big Law

Latham’s AI Academy is the result of a cross-team collaboration between the firm’s AI task force, its Training and Career Enhancement Center and its technology industry group.

"We have been running trainings for a while in different ways," said John Scrudato, the director of artificial intelligence and innovation. "We have been doing legal trainings, AI Task Force training and sessions on generative AI. Six months ago, we thought about putting those together into one event and pulling in other resources."

The initiative is part of a wider trend as law firms move to formalize AI training and stay competitive in a fast-changing tech landscape. 

Travers Smith, for instance, recently announced a similar AI-focused program in the U.K. Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, K&L Gates, and others are also adding AI training, often in collaboration with training providers like AltaClaro, to build teams equipped to guide clients through AI’s legal, regulatory, and practical applications.