IP Firms Are Navigating AI Era With Range of Guardrails

Sterne Kessler’s General Counsel Jon Wright spoke with Law360 on the implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) tools into firm practices.

Wright noted, “There are a number of attorneys at the firm that I would call AI enthusiasts, and a number that aren’t. I think the use, individually, depends on that. Especially as an IP firm, as you can imagine, we have a relatively high number of people that are on the enthusiast side.”

Wright detailed the AI use policy Sterne Kessler implemented fall 2024 with four principles of the policy—confidentiality, supervision of the use, competency, and informed consent with clients. The policy relied in part on an opinion from the American Bar Association that weighed in on ethical rules for attorneys using AI.

Wright also stated clients are now requesting the use of AI in cases, “with any new technology, that’s going to happen.” He continued that “hand-wringing that comes with new technology,” but AI is advancing “at a pace we haven’t seen before with other new technologies.”