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The Risk Landscape: Legal, Operational, and Ethical Risks in AI Vendor Engagements

June 9, 2026

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Contracting with AI vendors requires a clear-eyed understanding of the risks at stake. This article catalogs the principal categories of risk that corporate counsel…
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What Makes AI Vendor Deals Different — And Why Your Standard SaaS Playbook Won’t Cut It

June 2, 2026

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Artificial intelligence has moved from the innovation lab to the procurement queue, and corporate counsel are fielding vendor agreements at a pace that leaves…
Firm News

Class Is in Session: IP Summer School Launches New Series

May 6, 2026

Ward and Smith is pleased to introduce IP Summer School, a free four-part intellectual property law webinar series running May through August, 2026. Each…
Firm News

Adam Beaudoin to Present at CAI-NC Charlotte Spring Education + Networking Event

April 27, 2026

Artificial intelligence is changing how community associations operate, and on May 7, Ward and Smith community associations attorney Adam Beaudoin will break down what…
Firm News

Angela Doughty Reappointed as Chair of Trademark Law Specialty Committee

April 23, 2026

Ward and Smith is pleased to announce that Attorney Angela Doughty has been reappointed as Chair of the Trademark Law Specialty Committee of the…
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Don’t Let Your Lawyer’s AI Problem Become Yours

April 21, 2026

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On March 10, 2026, a federal prosecutor with thirty years of experience stood before a magistrate judge in the United States District Court for…
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The Insurance Implications of AI in Your Business: Is Your Current Coverage Keeping Up?

April 15, 2026

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Artificial intelligence is no longer a future consideration for business owners. It is a present reality. Businesses across every industry in North Carolina and…
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Still in the Blast Zone: A New Ruling Deflects Some of the Privilege Bomb’s Shrapnel, But Businesses Still Need to Suit Up

April 8, 2026

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In our prior article, we wrote about United States v. Heppner – a ruling that detonated like a [privilege] bomb across the legal and…
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Your Divorce Attorney Wants You to Stop Using ChatGPT: Family Law, AI, and the Privilege You’re Giving Away

A recent federal court ruling out of New York has important implications for anyone involved in a family law matter, whether you are navigating…
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Negating Attorney-Client Privilege: Don’t Let AI Put a Fox in Your Company’s Henhouse

The recent rise in prevalence of AI chatbots and tools have generated significant conversations in the data privacy world regarding the risks of compliance…
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Creating Harmony: AI Governance Playbook

March 24, 2026

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During Ward and Smith’s annual In-House Counsel seminar, Mayukh Sircar, a cybersecurity, data privacy, and technology attorney, shared comprehensive guidance on the strategic role…
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The Privilege You Didn’t Know You Waived: What Every Business in Litigation Needs to Know

March 18, 2026

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If your company is involved in litigation, or regularly faces the possibility of it, a recent federal court ruling should change the way you…
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AI Governance: Practical AI Advice for In-House Counsel

March 17, 2026

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During Ward and Smith’s annual In-House Counsel seminar, Mayukh Sircar, a cybersecurity, data privacy and technology attorney, shared comprehensive guidance on the strategic role…
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Bonnie and Claude: The Court Ruling That Could Expose Fraudster’s AI Conversations

March 11, 2026

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A New York federal court just issued the first published ruling to tackle head-on whether conversations with a public AI chatbot are protected by…
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Don’t Paste the Attorney’s Letter Into ChatGPT: What HOA Boards and Managers Need to Know About AI and Legal Privilege

A federal court just ruled that conversations with public AI chatbots are not protected by attorney-client privilege. For HOA Boards and community managers, that…
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Negating Attorney-Client Privilege: When AI Conversations Are a Privilege Bomb

February 25, 2026

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A New York federal court just issued the first ruling to tackle head-on whether conversations with a public AI chatbot can be protected by…
Firm News

Angela Doughty to Speak on AI in the Deal! at NCBA’s Lawyering in the Age of AI Program

January 22, 2026

Attorney Angela Doughty, CIPP/US, AIGP, FIP, will be a featured speaker at the North Carolina Bar Association’s upcoming program, Lawyering in the Age of…
Firm News

Ward and Smith Attorneys Return as Speakers for Second Session of Advanced Family Law CLE

January 15, 2026

Ward and Smith attorneys Bill Durr and Erica Rogers will be featured speakers at the second session of the North Carolina Bar Association’s Family Law Intensive Program, Human…
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Ward and Smith’s Top 10 Most Popular Articles of 2025

December 19, 2025

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As we reflect on 2025, it’s time to highlight the articles that have most resonated with readers throughout the year. Ward and Smith attorneys…
Firm News

AI and Privacy Attorney Angela Doughty Earns Prestigious “Fellow of Information Privacy” Designation

November 10, 2025

Ward and Smith is proud to announce that Angela Doughty, CIPP/US, AIGP, has earned the Fellow of Information Privacy (FIP) designation from the International…
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Trick or Treat Contracts: Avoiding AI Vendor Horror Stories

October 29, 2025

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Ed. Note: This is the fifth article in our series, “Conjuring Competitive Advantage: An AI Spellbook for Leaders,” focused on unlocking AI for business with…
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The Ethics Cauldron: Brewing Responsible AI Without Getting Burned

October 22, 2025

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Ed. Note: This is the fourth article in our series, “Conjuring Competitive Advantage: An AI Spellbook for Leaders,” focused on unlocking AI for business with…
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From Pumpkin to Pie: Transforming Raw AI Potential into Results

October 15, 2025

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Ed. Note: This is the third article in our series, “Conjuring Competitive Advantage: An AI Spellbook for Leaders,” focused on unlocking AI for business with practical…
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Building AI Guardrails: Keeping the Ghosts of Bad Governance at Bay

October 8, 2025

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Ed. Note: This is the second article in our series, “Conjuring Competitive Advantage: An AI Spellbook for Leaders,” focused on unlocking AI for business…
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Exorcising AI Myths: What’s Really Haunting Your Business

October 1, 2025

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Ed. Note: This is the first article in our series, “Conjuring Competitive Advantage: An AI Spellbook for Leaders,” focused on unlocking AI for business…
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Promise, Peril And The Path Forward: Legal Industry AI

July 1, 2025

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As an intellectual property and privacy attorney who has spent almost two decades at the intersection of law and technology, I have seen firsthand…
Firm News

Media Mention: Angela Doughty Shares Insights on AI in the Legal Industry with Wilmington Business Journal

April 16, 2025

  Angela Doughty, CIPP/US, AIGP, leader of Ward and Smith’s Intellectual Property Practice Section and an AI Governance Professional, was recently featured in the…
Firm News

Demystifying AI: Angela Doughty to Share Insights at 2025 Women’s Leadership Conference

March 13, 2025

Intellectual property attorney Angela Doughty, CIPP/US, AIGP, will be a speaker at the Raleigh Chamber’s 2025  Women’s Leadership Conference on Tuesday, March 25. The event…
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The AI Royal Flush: The Five Foundations of Artificial Intelligence, Part 2

February 11, 2025

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This is Part 2 of a summary of Ward and Smith Certified AI Governance Professional and IP attorney Angela Doughty’s comprehensive overview of the potential…
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The Five Foundations of Artificial Intelligence for In-House Counsel, Part 1

February 7, 2025

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During their annual In-House Counsel Seminar, Ward and Smith Certified AI Governance Professional and privacy and data security attorney Angela Doughty provided a comprehensive…
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A Year in Review: Ward and Smith’s Most Read Legal Insights in 2024

December 23, 2024

As we prepare to close out 2024, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the articles that captured the attention of our readers this…
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Three Cybersecurity Mistakes Small Businesses Make: A Data Privacy Attorney’s Perspective

October 15, 2024

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In today’s digital landscape, where data and technology are integral to business, companies of all sizes are prime targets for cyberattacks. As privacy and…
Firm News

Join Angela Doughty at NCAJ’s Strategy Summit 2024

September 4, 2024

Angela Doughty, CIPP/US, AIGP, is ready to help your law firm master AI at the Strategy Summit 2024, hosted by the North Carolina Advocates…
Firm News

Our July Focus: Legal Rights, Responsibilies, and Regulations

July 26, 2024

The July theme of Legal Rights, Responsibilities, and Regulations promotes awareness of legal rights, ethical responsibilities, and the regulations that govern our businesses. Defamation…
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Artificial Intelligence and the Patent Application Process: A Synopsis of the Potential Benefits and Risks

July 12, 2024

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Written By Ryan K. Simmons
  The use of artificial intelligence (“AI”) tools in the patent application process gives rise to a vast array of risks and opportunities for…
Firm News

Media Mention: Angela Doughty Discusses the Impact of Generative AI on the Legal Profession

June 13, 2024

Angela Doughty, CIPP/US, AIGP, recently spoke to South Carolina Lawyers Weekly about generative AI’s impact on the legal field. Her insights graced the article…
Firm News

Media Mention: Angela Doughty Talks AI in the Legal Profession with Carolina Paralegal News

May 20, 2024

As the legal world embraces AI’s power, Angela Doughty, CIPP/US, AIGP, a newly certified AI Governance Professional, shared insights in Carolina Paralegal News. Entitled…
Firm News

Angela Doughty Earns Inaugural AI Governance Professional Certification from IAPP

May 1, 2024

  Attorney Angela Doughty, CIPP/US, recently earned the AI Governance Professional (AIGP) certification from the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP). As one of…
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Generative Artificial Intelligence for Legal Departments

April 9, 2024

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In a recent presentation by Ward and Smith attorney Angela Doughty, in-house counsel received an overview of Artificial Intelligence (AI), how it can be…
Firm News

Angela Doughty to Participate in AI Panel at the 2024 Campbell Law Review Symposium

March 11, 2024

Attorney Angela Doughty, CIPP/US, will be a featured panelist at the 2024 Campbell Law Review Symposium on Thursday, March 21.  The event promises a comprehensive…
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Ward and Smith: Our Highlights of 2023

December 27, 2023

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Written By Laura V. Hudson
As we reflect on the past year, it’s evident that 2023 has been remarkable for Ward and Smith. We’ve welcomed new team members, launched…
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Top 10 Most Popular Articles of 2023

December 20, 2023

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As we approach the New Year, it’s time to reflect on the articles that have most resonated with readers throughout 2023. Ward and Smith…
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An Interview with EEOC Director Tom Colclough

December 1, 2023

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Attendees of Ward and Smith’s recent annual Employment Law Symposium received insights on key employment law developments in an interactive discussion between Emily Massey,…
Firm News

Ward and Smith Announces New Artificial Intelligence Practice Group

November 17, 2023

Ward and Smith is excited to announce its new Artificial Intelligence (AI) practice group. The AI practice provides comprehensive legal solutions to companies developing…
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The Buck Stops with You: Artificial Intelligence, Employment, & Title VII of the Civil Rights Act

September 1, 2023

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“I am putting myself to the fullest possible use, which is all I think that any conscious entity can ever hope to do.” –…
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AI: Legal Déjà Vu or Revolution?

June 7, 2023

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As the Artificial Intelligence (AI) hype continues, you may feel a sense of déjà vu. But after attending the recent Corporate Legal Operations Consortium…