UC Law San Francisco’s LexLab recently hosted its second Law and Artificial Intelligence Certificate (LAIC) program from March 2 to 6, attracting over two dozen participants, including lawyers, startup founders, nonprofit leaders, and academics from around the globe. The weeklong program aimed to equip legal professionals with a comprehensive understanding of AI technologies, their implications, and the related legal challenges.
Participants learned from a diverse array of instructors, including experts from prominent companies such as OpenAI, Meta, and Microsoft. The curriculum covered critical areas in AI governance, intellectual property, privacy, and risk management, enabling attendees to navigate the evolving legal landscape surrounding AI.
Key figures at the event included John Pavolotsky, a partner at Stoel Rives LLP, and Svetlana Matt, director of public policy at Dish Network. They explored Colorado’s groundbreaking AI law and its implications for future regulation. This dialogue reflects a broader theme in the program: understanding how AI’s rapid advancement is reshaping legal practice.
The program was designed by Tal Niv, director of applied innovation at UC Law SF and the Shashi and DJ Deb Professor of Practice for Emerging Technology and Law. Niv noted, “The program provides both a technical grounding in how AI systems work and a practical understanding of how those systems are reshaping legal risk and opportunity.”
Participants engaged in discussions that examined the real-world applications of AI and the pressing legal issues that arise. They also received insights from industry leaders about the future direction of AI regulation. Cornelia Kutterer, adjunct professor and former leader of Microsoft’s Responsible Tech and Competition team in Europe, contributed her expertise in European AI regulation to the program’s design, broadening its global perspective.
Throughout the week, attendees participated in sessions that delved into practical issues lawyers face today, including compliance and product liability. Attendees such as Sammy Zeer, global indirect tax manager at Expedia Group, highlighted the program’s emphasis on responsible AI governance and its exploration of both the transformative potential and risks posed by AI technologies.
The program’s structure allowed participants to not only learn about the technical foundations of AI but also engage in ethical considerations and practical applications within legal frameworks. Professor Robin Feldman, director of the Center for Innovation at UC Law SF, delivered a keynote focused on the dual promise and risks of advancing AI technologies. She raised urgent questions about regulatory accountability and societal impact, emphasizing the need for proactive engagement with these challenges.
In a reflective moment, Feldman stated, “The changes we’re seeing give us both opportunities and enormous challenges. Can we grab the reins and think about where we’re going and how we want to get there, or are we just going to be buffeted by the winds as these things unfold?” This indicates the necessity for legal professionals to take a leading role in shaping AI’s development and regulation.
Participants also explored the ethics of AI, with Professor Paul Belonick urging them to consider not just what AI can do, but what it should do. His insights challenged attendees to reflect on the ethical frameworks guiding AI development and their alignment with broader human goals.
Feedback from the participants underlined the program’s success in demystifying AI technology and its integration into legal workflows. Ben Whitlach, director of customer success at Alumni, expressed appreciation for the practical perspective offered on integrating AI into daily legal work. Meanwhile, academic attendees like Jeff Huang, associate chair of computer science at Brown University, valued the diverse insights from legal practitioners and policymakers.
By the end of the week, participants earned a certificate of completion, which included more than 32 hours of continuing education credit required by the State Bar of California for licensed attorneys. LexLab plans to host the next Law and AI Certificate session in July and is exploring offerings in cities abroad, including Tokyo. This initiative underscores the growing recognition of the need for legal professionals to be well-versed in the implications of AI in a rapidly evolving landscape.
See also
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US AI Developments in 2025 Set Stage for 2026 Compliance Challenges and Strategies
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