US law firm Akerman has appointed a director of AI governance and data protection in its Akerman Intelligence unit from global software firm Highspot.
Michael Adler will take up the newly created role to help the Am Law 100 firm’s clients overcome the legal obstacles of AI adoption, and to drive forward its AI governance framework. Akerman Intelligence is the firm’s AI strategy, research and thought leadership platform. He will also sit as a partner in its corporate practice group in Washington DC.
Adler will work closely with Akerman’s CEO, Scott Meyers, and general counsel, Michael Fertig, alongside technology leaders to develop the firm’s AI governance framework.
The framework will focus on accountability structures, technical controls and oversight, guiding how AI is deployed across the firm.
Adler will also collaborate with the AI governance sector team and the corporate practice group, advising technology companies, private equity firms, venture investors and multinational enterprises.
He said: “The conversation has moved from whether to use AI to how to govern it responsibly while protecting sensitive information, managing enterprise risk and maintaining accountability. I’m excited to help shape Akerman’s own governance framework while working with clients to build approaches that hold up in practice.”
Meyers commented that the question for all enterprises is whether their AI governance frameworks are “equipped for the shift” to autonomous agentic systems.
He added: “Very few lawyers have governed AI from the inside at some of the world’s most demanding technology companies. Fewer still pair that experience with years serving clients in big law and service in the intelligence community. Michael brings all three, and now he’ll put them to work for us and for our clients.”
Adler brings significant experience into his new role, having spent seven years as head of global data privacy and AI at Highspot.
Prior to that, he was corporate counsel for almost two years at Amazon and an attorney for just over two years at Kirkland & Ellis.
Adler also continues in his role as a strategic advisor for Washington-based consultancy firm Aetos Data Consulting.
He said: “Externally, I maintain an active practice advising clients on AI governance, data protection and AI regulation both internationally, including the EU AI Act, and domestically, where an emerging patchwork of US federal and state law is taking shape.”
Earlier this month, Bird & Bird hired Shahin Baghaei as a technology partner from EY along with three of his former colleagues to create a legal transformation team aimed at handling clients’ routine work more efficiently.
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