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Akerman names ex-Amazon counsel Michael Adler to new AI governance role

Published
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16

Why it matters

Akerman LLP has hired Michael Adler as a partner in its Corporate Practice Group and appointed him Director of AI Governance & Data Protection, a newly created role within the firm's Akerman Intelligence platform. Adler, who previously served as Head of Global Data Privacy and AI at Highspot and held counsel positions at Amazon, will be based in Washington, D.C. and report to the firm's CEO, general counsel, and technology leadership. His mandate spans both internal AI governance—including oversight structures for deploying AI systems—and external client advisory work on AI adoption, data protection, technology transactions, and international AI regulation.

The specific scope of Adler's governance framework and which AI systems will fall under his oversight remain unclear. Details of the firm's internal AI governance structure have not been disclosed.

The hire reflects a broader industry shift toward formalized AI governance as law firms and their clients deploy generative and agentic AI tools at scale. Attorneys should monitor how Akerman structures this dual role—balancing internal compliance with external advisory—as a potential model for managing AI risk in firms of comparable size. The appointment also signals that data privacy and AI governance expertise commands partner-level compensation in the current market, a signal relevant to firms evaluating their own AI compliance infrastructure.

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