DLA Piper launches Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics Practice with the arrival of Bennett Borden as Chief Data Scientist

DLA Piper is pleased to announce Bennett Borden has joined the firm as Chief Data Scientist of the newly-created Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics Practice. Borden joins alongside approximately 10 top-tier data scientists who have worked together for the past decade.

DLA Piper currently advises many of the world’s most prominent companies and governments on the legal and compliance risks of creating and deploying AI systems, and Borden and team’s unique-to-market technical and forensic offerings complement the firm’s existing capabilities in AI adoption, deployment and monitoring.

Borden, an experienced attorney and data scientist, is a leading authority on helping clients monetize and productize data, develop AI systems and algorithmic models in a legal and ethical manner, and conduct discovery and internal investigations, including the verification of AI systems and detection of algorithmic bias.

He began his career at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), using data analytics and machine learning to describe, predict and influence human and organizational behaviors. In 2020, Borden was recognized by the Financial Times for his “stand out expertise in data analytics and machine learning."

“As companies around the world deploy a variety of AI and machine learning technologies to automate their business processes, Bennett and his team provide a much-needed technical component unique to the legal industry,” said Danny Tobey, chair of DLA Piper’s AI Practice. “We are excited to enhance our deep bench in AI with seamlessly integrated legal and computational capabilities.”

“AI development and adoption is crucial as companies look to grow their businesses and compete successfully,” said Frank Ryan, DLA Piper’s Americas chair. “The addition of Bennett and his team as part of the firm’s overall AI offering provides clients with a comprehensive compliance and government affairs strategy important to their success.”

“With the addition of this group, DLA Piper continues to be at the forefront of our clients' business and the law,” said Loren Brown, chair of the firm’s US Disputes practice. “It’s yet another way we are guiding our clients through both opportunities and risk in a rapidly changing world.”

Borden and his team will offer a number of combined legal-computational services, including auditing client AI for algorithmic fairness and regulatory compliance, creation of AI-enabled tools to help clients leverage data for legal edge, and an intelligence-style enhanced e-discovery analytics team for next generation litigation and investigation fact development.

They join an existing slate of attorneys who work closely with government agencies and industry associations to shape emerging rules and collaborate with clients across the AI ecosystem. DLA Piper’s clients range from FDA breakthrough-designated device-makers to leading national security developers to some of the largest financial and consumer companies implementing AI into legacy systems. The firm’s AI bench includes Tobey, who led Insider’s 2022 list of top attorneys helping companies adopt AI; senior policy advisor Tony Samp, founding director of the US Senate’s AI Working Group; Paul Hemmersbaugh, who drafted the first federal autonomous vehicle policy as chief counsel to NHTSA; John Gevertz, former chief privacy officer and data use council chair of VISA, and more than one hundred attorneys and advisors globally.