PITTSFORD — The law firm Harris Beach Murtha has launched an artificial-intelligence (AI) industry team to help clients with navigating the legal, ethical, regulatory, and business challenges raised by the fast-developing technology. The firm, which is headquartered in the Rochester suburb of Pittsford, has offices in Syracuse, Ithaca, and Binghamton. As Harris Beach Murtha put […]
PITTSFORD — The law firm Harris Beach Murtha has launched an artificial-intelligence (AI) industry team to help clients with navigating the legal, ethical, regulatory, and business challenges raised by the fast-developing technology.
The firm, which is headquartered in the Rochester suburb of Pittsford, has offices in Syracuse, Ithaca, and Binghamton.
As Harris Beach Murtha put it, “as AI becomes more prevalent, the risks associated with it present challenges. Whether developing AI products, using off the shelf customer-facing AI tools or using AI internally, technical fluency and legal guidance are needed to ensure an organization manages risks, seizes opportunities and stays ahead of emerging regulations in areas like data privacy, intellectual property, contracts, employment law, corporate governance and financing.”
Harris Beach Murtha says its lawyers draw on decades of legal, business, and technology-deployment experience to provide guidance on implementing ethical and sustainable AI practices so organizations “maintain a competitive advantage in this rapidly evolving area.”
The firm’s AI industry team includes more than a dozen attorneys in multiple disciplines, with Harris Beach Murtha recognizing the many facets of AI stretch across all industries.
Firm members frequently advise, litigate, teach, speak, and publish on AI topics. The team is led by attorneys Brendan Palfreyman, who is based in the Syracuse office, along with Timothy Plunkett and Alan Winchester.
Palfreyman regularly negotiates SaaS (software as a service) contracts with AI vendors; helps companies design and implement internal AI governance policies; and advises AI companies facing regulatory questions. He is certified in Generative AI for the Legal Profession by the School of Law at University of California, Berkeley, the firm noted.
Plunkett, a certified AI governance professional (AIGP), provides government entities, businesses, and other organizations guidance on issues such as AI regulation, compliance, governance, and risk mitigation.
Winchester — leader of the firm’s cybersecurity protection and response practice group — offers experienced guidance on AI-related security and privacy, the firm said.
“Separately, we’ve provided AI advice to our clients for some time; forming this Industry Team provides the opportunity for comprehensive, coordinated counsel that gives our clients an edge,” Palfreyman said in the firm’s announcement. “As we regularly say, we are more than a law firm — we’re a strategic partner dedicated to providing legal services that align with your business goals and spur success. AI is a bourgeoning field and those who mitigate risk and effectively navigate the rapidly evolving challenges will reap the benefits.”
The law firm Harris Beach Murtha formally launched operations on Jan. 2, 2025. It resulted from the combination of Pittsford–based Harris Beach PLLC and Murtha Cullina LLP, which became official on Jan. 1.
The combined firm has more than 250 lawyers, including 150 partners working across 16 offices in New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and the District of Columbia.
