Reed Smith announced the launch of the Reed Smith AI Leadership Program at Cornell University. The customized curriculum was developed in partnership with Cornell’s Executive Education organization.
The program will be held at the Cornell Tech campus in New York City in September 2026. It is designed to equip Reed Smith partners with advanced knowledge of AI strategy, ethics, digital transformation, and governance.
Reed Smith said the program will help its partners deliver more innovative, efficient, and forward-looking counsel to clients. The curriculum progresses from foundational AI knowledge to applied strategy, ethics, governance, and client-focused implementation.
Participants will take part in expert-led sessions and structured ideation workshops. The goal is to develop actionable roadmaps for AI transformation that strengthen client service while addressing workforce impact and responsible adoption within regulatory and professional standards.
The program is intended to help Reed Smith advise clients as they navigate the legal and business complexities of AI adoption. The firm said the initiative reflects its focus on staying ahead of emerging technology challenges across industries.
The program will be led by Cornell faculty including Matthew D’Amore, Karan Girotra, and Nate Schorr. D’Amore is Professor of the Practice and Director of the Law, Technology and Entrepreneurship Program at Cornell Tech and Cornell Law School.
Girotra is the Charles H. Dyson Family Professor of Management and Professor of Operations, Technology, and Innovation at Cornell Tech and the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business. Schorr is an Adjunct Professor of Law at Cornell Tech.
Reed Smith said the partnership with Cornell University’s Executive Education unit underscores its commitment to investing in its people. Cornell’s Executive Education programs serve more than 500 organizations worldwide and have been recognized with Brandon Hall Group HCM Excellence Awards for leadership development.
KEY QUOTES:
“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.”
“By partnering with Cornell University, we are investing directly in a partnership that will enhance the insights we deliver to clients. As our partners gain further firsthand knowledge of AI strategy and governance, they will deliver increasingly forward-thinking counsel to clients across industries. This is what client-centered leadership looks like: anticipating the challenges our clients face and remaining one step ahead.”
Casey Ryan, Global Managing Partner of Reed Smith
“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.”
Matthew D’Amore, Professor of the Practice and Director, Law, Technology and Entrepreneurship Program at Cornell Tech and Cornell Law School
