At Messner Reeves, we help businesses confidently navigate the legalities of artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI (GenAI). As AI technologies evolve at breakneck speed, so too does the legal landscape. Whether you’re building next-generation models, deploying tools internally, or acquiring AI-powered solutions, our multidisciplinary team partners with you to ensure compliance, mitigate risk, and unlock opportunity.
Our AI attorneys work alongside in-house counsel, product developers, executives, and compliance officers to deliver practical, forward-thinking guidance on how to use AI responsibly while protecting your innovation, reputation, and bottom line.
Advising on AI Development and Deployment
Developing AI tools presents tremendous opportunities but also complex legal risks. At Messner Reeves, we guide clients through every phase of the AI product lifecycle, offering practical and strategic legal support informed by industry best practices. When it comes to product counseling, we help businesses design and deploy AI and GenAI systems that meet legal standards related to data privacy, intellectual property (IP), and algorithmic transparency.
Our AI attorneys also work with companies to create internal model governance frameworks, implement responsible AI policies, establish risk classification systems, and define escalation protocols. Additionally, we draft and negotiate comprehensive data-sharing and licensing agreements to ensure that AI training and usage practices are both ethical and compliant.
Compliance and Regulatory Counseling
With AI regulation evolving rapidly across the globe, legal compliance requires both agility and foresight. We partner with clients to ensure their AI platforms comply with established privacy laws like the GDPR, CCPA/CPRA, and HIPAA. As new rules emerge, including the EU AI Act, the Colorado AI Act, and executive mandates from the White House, we offer real-time counsel to help clients stay ahead of legal obligations. In highly regulated sectors such as healthcare, education, employment, and finance, our team provides tailored legal strategies to ensure that AI implementation aligns with industry-specific laws and standards.
Artificial Intelligence Risk Mitigation and Ethical Guidance
AI systems that influence decisions or generate content bring unique ethical and legal concerns. We help clients minimize the risk of bias in algorithmic decision-making and develop methods to detect and correct discriminatory outputs. When legal requirements demand transparency, our team provides guidance on how to deliver clear, legally sufficient explanations of AI behavior. For businesses facing liability exposure from AI-generated materials, like deepfakes, false content, or IP-infringing outputs, we offer strategies for reducing risk and maintaining compliance with evolving laws.
Intellectual Property and Licensing Strategy
The intersection of AI and intellectual property presents new challenges regarding ownership and protection. We counsel clients on asserting rights over AI-generated content and determining ownership in human-AI collaborations. Our AI attorneys also work to safeguard proprietary algorithms, models, and training data using existing IP regimes. When clients engage with open-source AI, we evaluate the associated risks and help craft licensing strategies that align with both operational needs and legal compliance.
Contracting and Commercialization
Clear and customized contractual terms are critical when developing or acquiring AI solutions. We negotiate SaaS and procurement agreements that reflect the unique attributes and risks associated with AI tools. Our AI lawyers draft precise disclaimers, end-user terms, and notices to clarify limitations, non-reliance provisions, and expectations for human oversight. We also identify potential insurance coverage gaps and negotiate indemnity clauses that protect clients from AI-related liabilities.
AI Employment and Labor Implications
When AI is used in hiring, monitoring, or workforce analytics, employers must navigate an increasingly complex legal landscape. We advise on compliance with employment regulations related to algorithmic decision-making, employee surveillance, and productivity assessments. Our team ensures that HR technologies are deployed in ways that minimize risk while maintaining regulatory integrity.
Litigation and Investigations
From proactive risk management to defense in court, we represent clients in a broad spectrum of AI-related disputes. Our AI attorneys handle litigation involving harm or loss caused by AI systems, helping companies defend against product liability claims. We also guide clients through federal and state government investigations by agencies like the FTC and EEOC, addressing concerns related to AI development, transparency, or data use. When questions arise over the authenticity of AI-generated evidence, we provide guidance on legal standards for preservation, disclosure, and expert testimony.
Internal Artificial Intelligence Policies and Training
Sound internal governance is imperative to managing AI risk and building organizational trust. Our team assists in drafting responsible use policies that govern how employees engage with AI and GenAI tools, including consumer-facing platforms like ChatGPT. We also lead legal training sessions and facilitate internal audits designed to identify potential risks and promote best practices in AI use across business units.
Corporate and Strategic Advisory
Strategic decisions involving AI require legal insight at the highest level. We conduct due diligence for mergers, acquisitions, and investments that involve AI technologies, evaluating everything from IP ownership and data practices to regulatory exposure and valuation. Our AI attorneys also work closely with boards of directors and executive leadership, advising on AI governance structures, public disclosures, and fiduciary obligations in the rapidly evolving AI economy.
Why Choose Messner Reeves for AI Legal Services
At Messner Reeves, we don’t just follow the evolution of artificial intelligence; we help shape it. Leading our AI practice is Beverly Rich, J.D., Ph.D., a nationally recognized authority on the intersection of law, technology, and innovation. With a deep understanding of both the technical and legal landscapes of artificial intelligence, Beverly brings an unmatched level of insight and practical expertise to our clients.
At her previous law firm, Beverly served as Practice Innovation Counsel, where she and her team conceptualized and deployed proprietary AI and generative AI (genAI) solutions for both internal efficiencies and client-facing applications, always with a strong emphasis on data privacy, AI governance, and demonstrable ROI. Her work doesn’t just support legal outcomes; it transforms how legal services are delivered.
Beverly’s academic credentials further strengthen our approach to AI legal services. As a former Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship and Strategy at the University of Utah’s Eccles School of Business, she conducted groundbreaking research on how genAI impacts the legal industry. Her published work explores everything from the digitization of contracts to the strategic implications of AI adoption in business and law.
Whether you’re developing AI products, navigating new regulations, or mitigating data governance risks, you need a legal partner who not only understands the law but also understands AI at a systems level. Beverly and the entire Messner Reeves AI team offer a rare blend of practical execution and forward-looking counsel, making us a standout choice for clients operating at the frontier of artificial intelligence.
Are You Ready to Protect Your Business in the Age of Artificial Intelligence? Partner With Messner Reeves
Our AI lawyers combine deep technical fluency with cross-disciplinary legal experience. Whether you’re an AI startup, a Fortune 500 company integrating GenAI into operations, or a private equity firm exploring AI-driven investments, we’re here to help you move forward confidently and responsibly.
Ready to future-proof your AI strategy? Contact Messner Reeves today to learn how our AI attorneys can support your goals with strategic, legally sound AI solutions.
