Past AI Forum July 2026 - Law & AI: What Lawyers Need to Know Before the Tools Know Too Much

Law and AI: What Lawyers Need to Know Before the Tools Know Too Much

Join the University of Louisville AI Forum for a conversation on how artificial intelligence is changing the practice of law. Jeffrey A. McKenzie, Partner at Dentons, and Susan Tanner, Associate Professor at Brandeis School of Law, will discuss how lawyers are using AI, what risks and ethical questions the tools raise, and what legal professionals should be thinking about as AI becomes part of ordinary practice. The session will begin with a moderated discussion and then open for audience Q&A.

Facilitators

Jeffrey A. McKenzie, Partner at DentonsJeff McKenzie is a Corporate Merger & Acquisition partner with Dentons, the world's largest law firm, and is co-chair of the firm's Transportation and Infrastructure Group. Jeff is a former Managing Partner, Board Chairman, US Regional Director, and CEO of the firm and its predecessors.

Jeff has been involved in the acquisition, rezoning, financing, development, leasing and sale of industrial, commercial, recreational and residential properties and air rights; the successful negotiation of billions of dollars in economic incentives, numerous mergers, acquisitions and other corporate and commercial matters; the negotiation and preparation of construction contracts, and numerous appearances before various commissions, government agencies and authorities. These appearances include more than 360 successful matters before planning commissions, zoning boards, local governmental authorities, and other land use regulatory agencies, all without a denial. He is also the leader of Dentons Beverage Alcohol practice in the United States, having worked with international and domestic clients in the alcohol beverage industry for more than 40 years.

As a sought after business advisor in the Louisville community, Jeff is often enlisted by fellow business leaders and local chambers of commerce to monitor proposed legislation and to evaluate and advise on economic development opportunities.

Jeff has received numerous awards and has been selected by Chambers USA as a Tier One attorney and one of "America's Leading Lawyers for Business," he is AV® Peer Review Rated? by Martindale-Hubbell®; he has been selected for inclusion on the Kentucky Super Lawyers® list since 2007, and he has been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® publication since 2007. Jeff regularly provides presentations on legal and other matters and is extensively involved in various community organizations serving as chairman, committee chairman, executive committee member, board member and general counsel.

Susan Tanner, Associate Professor at Brandeis School of LawSusan Tanner is an Associate Professor of Law at the University of Louisville, Brandeis School of Law, where she teaches AI and the Law and Lawyering Skills. Before entering academia, she practiced law as an associate at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP. She holds a Ph.D. in Rhetoric from Carnegie Mellon University, where her work in corpus linguistics, computational linguistics, digital humanities, privacy, and usable security placed her in research spaces that helped lay the groundwork for today's generative AI systems. Her scholarship routinely addresses AI and the law, law and rhetoric, legal writing, privacy, and professional responsibility. Her recent and forthcoming work includes publications with the Georgia Law Review, Nevada Law Journal, Harvard Law & Policy Review, Cambridge University Press, and a chapter on AI and election law in a forthcoming book edited by Jon Garon. She is a frequent keynote speaker and workshop leader on AI for lawyers, judges, law firms, law schools, practitioners, students, and law professors.

About the AI Forum


The University of Louisville College of Business is proud to host the AI Forum, a dynamic series designed to explore the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence through the insights of leading industry experts and distinguished faculty. This forum brings together students, faculty, and business professionals to engage in thought-provoking discussions, real-world applications, and forward-looking perspectives on AI's impact across industries. By bridging academic expertise with practical innovation, the AI Forum aims to foster a deeper understanding of how AI is transforming business-and how we can lead that transformation responsibly and effectively.

Available Sessions

Inquire about upcoming sessions at ExecEd@louisville.edu.