IAPP announces new initiatives for AI in Legal Services

Portsmouth, N.H. – 8 Oct. 2026 – The IAPP, the world’s largest and most comprehensive association of privacy, AI governance and digital responsibility professionals, today announced it is launching a new AI in Legal Services initiative.

As part of its continued efforts to promote excellence amongst our community of professionals, the IAPP is expanding its established certification and training framework to create an AI Specialist certification for legal professionals.  This certification will enable those working in legal services — including lawyers, paralegals, and legal operations pros — to understand how to responsibly evaluate, deploy, and oversee AI in their work.  With modules in AI foundations, legal use cases, AI workflow augmentation, governance legal ethics, and professional responsibility, this certification will elevate legal professionals’ knowledge and skills as it pertains to AI use in their work.

The IAPP has also launched the AI Specialist in Legal Services Launch Supporters program. Organizations participating in this program will receive early, discounted access to training and certification materials, giving their legal professionals an opportunity to develop the competencies needed to effectively oversee and implement AI-enabled legal services.  

This work is supported by the inaugural AI in Legal Services Advisory Board. Comprised of key leaders across the spectrum of law firms, legal departments, technology providers, and more, this board will provide strategic direction as the IAPP strives to help legal professionals navigate this period of rapid change with confidence. The board is composed of: 

• Kristen Baylis, Senior Technology Counsel, Orrick  
• Jake Bernstein, Global AI and Innovation Partner, K&L Gates
• Justin Cary, Drummond Woodsum
• Andrew DeBratto, Chief Information Officer, Hunton
• Ameen Haddad, Chief Operating and Innovation Officer, Oracle Legal
• Marie Jones, Associate General Counsel, Bank of America
• Matt Kelly, Partner, Simpson Thatcher
• Brenda Leong, Director, AI Division, Zwillgen
• Caroline Louveaux, General Counsel for Core Payment & the Chief Administrative Office, Mastercard
• Tammy Murray, VP, Legal Engineering and Regulatory Investigations, Harvey
• Nikhil Shanbhag, Vice President and Associate General Counsel, Meta
• Mary Shen O'Carroll, CEO, LECG (LegalEng Consulting Group)  
• Aric Short, Professor of Law; Director of the Professional Identity & Leadership Development Program, Texas A&M University School of Law
• David Wakeling, Partner, Global Head of AI Group, A&O Shearman
• Marian Waldmann Agarwal, Partner, Data, Cyber and Privacy, Morrison Foerster
• David Wang, Chief Innovation Officer, Cooley
• Michael Weinberg, Executive Director, NYU Engelberg Center of Innovation Law and Policy
• Susannah Wilkinson, Director, AI Acceleration, Asia and Australia, Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer
• Meredith Williams-Range, Chief Legal Operations Officer, Gibson Dunn

“The legal profession is facing a massive change as AI continues to reshape how their services are being delivered and how law is practiced around the world,” said J. Trevor Hughes president and CEO of the IAPP. “As AI becomes embedded in legal workflows and decision-making, legal professionals need practical, trusted guidance to evaluate emerging technologies and manage risk. Through this new initiative, the IAPP aims to provide the education, certification, and professional resources legal practitioners need to navigate this transformation with confidence.”

For more information on the AI Specialist in Law certification and the Launch Supporters program visit iapp.org/ai-legal.  

About the IAPP

The IAPP is the professional home for privacy, AI governance and digital responsibility globally. We are a resource and gathering place for professionals who work at the intersections of data, technology and humanity. We provide members with the tools, resources, training, credentials and networking needed to thrive in today's digital economy.