Member News

(Dec. 2, 2025) — Harris Beach Murtha has launched an Artificial Intelligence Industry Team to assist clients with navigating the legal, ethical, regulatory and business challenges raised by the rapidly developing technology.

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 attorneys 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.

Our AI Industry Team

Recognizing the many facets of AI stretch across all industries, the AI Industry Team is comprised of more than a dozen attorneys in multiple disciplines. Members frequently advise, litigate, teach, speak and publish on AI topics. The team is led by:

• Brendan M. Palfreyman regularly negotiates SaaS contracts with AI vendors, helps companies design and implement internal AI governance policies and advises AI companies facing regulatory questions. He is certified by the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law, in Generative AI for the Legal Profession.
• Timothy J. Plunkett, a certified AI Governance Professional (AIGP), who provides government entities, businesses and other organizations forward-thinking guidance on issues such as AI regulation, compliance, governance and risk mitigation.
• Alan M. Winchester, leader of the firm’s Cybersecurity Protection and Response Practice Group, who offers experienced guidance on AI-related security and privacy.

“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,” Brendan said. “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.”

Why Choose Harris Beach Murtha

Attorneys on the team frequently speak publicly on AI topics and provide counsel to technology-forward companies, startups and business innovators. They have experience across a range of industries, including the public sector, finance, health care, energy, environment, commercial real estate and more. They provide legal and strategic counsel in areas such as:

• Leveraging AI in the public sector
• Commercializing AI innovations
• Designing, implementing and maintaining regulatory compliance programs
• Drafting, reviewing and negotiating contracts
• Protecting intellectual property
• Safely using AI in the employment process
• Defending and prosecuting AI claims
• Raising capital, venture capital fundraising support, obtaining economic development incentives and grants
• Navigating mergers and acquisitions involving AI
• Protecting AI assets through financial restructuring
• Acquiring AI talent through immigration
• Acquiring physical space and real estate matters
• Deploying responsible internal AI policies
• Advising on the environmental risks posed by AI infrastructure

The Artificial Intelligence industry is at a crucial point in its growth. Protecting innovations in AI requires understanding what is — and isn’t — protectable: models, algorithms, training data, user interface, AI-generated works, etc.

And AI is under increasing regulatory scrutiny the federal, state, local and even international level — rules around bias, transparency, data protection, safety, industry-specific mandates and emerging AI-specific legislation are proliferating.

AI policies must cover ethics, fairness, transparency/explainability, model monitoring, safety, risk management, internal audits, vendor/third-party oversight, data usage, bias mitigation, documentation, record-keeping, accountability and more.

Our attorneys are knowledgeable, experienced and prepared to assist in all these areas. Our previous work includes:

• Advised international manufacturing company regarding its internal AI governance policy.
• Advised international marketing agency and leading photo editor software company regarding SaaS contracts with generative AI vendors.
• Advised employer on reduction-in-force and WARN Act risks/compliance where position eliminations linked to possible AI replacement.
• Advised employer on use of AI tool in reviewing job applications.
• Advised data center owner on the process and cost-allocation issues related to the facility tripling its electric load. Here, this process included the New York Independent System Operators, Inc.’s (NYISO) interconnection process for large load projects in New York and contract negotiation of agreements with the local transmission utility.
• Represent Series B founding and executive team building global Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and HR suite technology platform from $40 million financing to private equity exit.
• Represent Series A founding team in Software-as-a-Service, Robotics and Hospitality sector, developing proprietary AI systems and automated POS platform for large restaurant groups from $15 million financing to public company exit.
• Drafted privacy policies, terms of use and cross-border data transfer for AI systems that use, store and potentially share sensitive personally identifying information.
• Developed HIPAA consent for AI translation services used to facilitate conversations with non-native speaking patients.
• Developed security plans for organizations that process sensitive personally identifying information using generative AI.
• Advised large educational company on AI governance policy creation, regulatory compliance and FERPA.
• Counseled a real estate developer on AI integration and adoption.
• Advised leading automotive robotics and AI manufacturing company on global mobility and intracompany transfers under the B-1, H-1B and L-1 visa programs.
• Advised global AI chip manufacturer on visa planning for foreign national engineers involved in semiconductor and neural network hardware design.
• Developed immigration compliance program for multinational AI solutions provider, covering I-9, E-Verify, and remote workforce protocols.

Visit the Harris Beach Murtha Artificial Intelligence Industry Team page for a full list of Representative Matters and to learn more about our services, team members and how we can help your business transform with artificial intelligence.

About Harris Beach Murtha
Harris Beach Murtha formed in 2025 via the combination of Harris Beach PLLC and Murtha Cullina LLP. A forward-thinking and innovative partnership with the benefit of more than 250 years of combined history, Harris Beach Murtha’s New York roots reach back to 1856 and the firm has had ties to New England since 1936. Harris Beach and Murtha Cullina were separately among the country’s top law firms as ranked by The National Law Journal.

Harris Beach Murtha and its subsidiaries have a strong Northeast presence, but a global reach. Clients include Fortune 100 corporations, privately held companies, emerging businesses, public sector entities, tax-exempt organizations and individuals. The firm’s practice areas and industries served span appellate law, business litigation, cannabis, commercial real estate, construction, corporate, environmental, energy, financial institutions, financial restructuring, government compliance and investigations, health care, immigration, intellectual property, labor and employment, mass torts, medical and life sciences, political law, product liability, public finance, tax, and trusts and estates.

Harris Beach Murtha is the exclusive member firm in Connecticut for Lex Mundi, the world’s leading network of independent firms with in-depth experience in more than 125 countries worldwide. As part of the Lex Mundi global network, Harris Beach Murtha can provide clients with preferred access to more than 22,000 lawyers around the world – all from a single point of contact. Lex Mundi allows Harris Beach Murtha to seamlessly handle clients’ most challenging cross-border transactions and disputes.

The firm’s lawyers and consultants practice from offices throughout Connecticut in Bantam, Hartford, New Haven and Stamford; New York state in Albany, Binghamton, Buffalo, Ithaca, Niagara Falls, New York City, Rochester, Saratoga Springs, Syracuse, Long Island and White Plains, as well as in Boston, Massachusetts and Newark, New Jersey. For more information, visit www.harrisbeachmurtha.com.