Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
As artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) continue to transform industries and drive innovation across sectors, businesses are facing a rapidly evolving legal and regulatory landscape.
At Williams Mullen, we provide forward-thinking legal guidance to help companies harness the power of AI and ML responsibly—mitigating risk, protecting assets, and ensuring regulatory compliance.
Our AI & ML practice is built around a multidisciplinary team with deep experience across data privacy, intellectual property, corporate law, labor and employment, and industry-specific regulations. We help clients at every stage of the AI lifecycle—from research and development to deployment and scaling—with legal strategies that are as agile and innovative as the technologies themselves.
Comprehensive Legal Support for AI & ML Initiatives
We work closely with clients to develop customized, strategic solutions that align with their business objectives and risk profile. Whether you're integrating AI into your operations, launching a new AI product, or partnering with third-party vendors, our attorneys provide practical and proactive legal counsel.
Our AI legal services include:
- AI Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management. Navigating federal, state, and global regulations governing AI, including evolving guidance from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), and the European Union’s (EU) AI Act.
- Contract Drafting & Technology Transactions. Structuring AI-related agreements, including licensing, development, procurement, and collaboration contracts.
- Data Privacy, Protection & Cybersecurity. Advising on AI-related data collection, use, and sharing practices to ensure compliance with laws such as General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and other privacy frameworks.
- AI Governance & Policy Development. Creating internal AI governance frameworks, use policies, and ethical guidelines to support transparent and compliant AI development and adoption.
- Intellectual Property Strategy & Protection. Counseling on patentability, copyright, and trade secret protection for AI algorithms, datasets, and outputs, as well as representing clients in IP disputes.
- Media & Entertainment Advice. Counseling on intellectual property protection, contracts, corporate structure, and litigation risks for businesses using, developing, or training AI systems with music, art, books, films, multi-media and other creative works.
- Labor & Employment. Assessing AI-driven hiring tools, workplace automation, and compliance with anti-discrimination laws.
- Healthcare AI Compliance & Risk Mitigation. Supporting healthcare organizations and life sciences companies with AI tools used in clinical decision-making, diagnostics, and medical devices.
- Employee Mobility, Trade Secrets & Restrictive Covenants. Protecting proprietary AI technology through enforceable agreements and litigation support when needed.
- Dispute Resolution & Litigation Support. Representing clients in disputes involving AI-related issues, including liability, bias, performance failures, and misuse of proprietary technology.
Government Relations & Lobbying
Our team advocates for clients before the Virginia General Assembly and the Executive Branch, including the Office of the Governor and state agencies, on AI-related issues. We help businesses monitor, amend, or defeat legislation and regulatory proposals that could adversely impact their operations, ensuring our clients’ interests are protected in this rapidly evolving policy landscape.
Why Choose Williams Mullen?
What sets us apart is our deep knowledge of emerging technologies, our commitment to staying at the forefront of AI legal developments, our practical business-focused approach and our extensive government relations experience. We partner with clients to not only minimize legal exposure but to unlock new opportunities with confidence.
Whether you're an early-stage startup, a multinational corporation, or a regulated entity integrating AI tools, we are here to guide you through today’s challenges—and tomorrow’s possibilities.
