Paul Hastings Hires Fried Frank AI Guru for New Tech Practice

Paul Hastings has hired partner Amir Ghavi to launch a new artificial intelligence-focused technology transactions practice, pulling him away from Fried Frank where he co-led a similar group.

Ghavi has represented AI developers including in copyright-related litigation and has advised companies on product development, data procurement, AI governance, regulatory matters, and various types of transactions.

His technology-focused clients include G42, Microsoft, Snowflake, T-Mobile, Mistral AI, Cohere, Liquid AI, Palantir and Infosys, Paul Hastings said in a release. Ghavi has represented Bloomberg LP, the parent company of Bloomberg Law, in litigation.

Paul Hastings has been among the most acquisitive Big Law firms in recent years, hiring partners across practices from a range of high-profile competitors. The firm’s growth caught Ghavi’s attention, and he intends to quickly add to the new tech transactions practice, he said in an interview.

Amir Ghavi

Credit: Firm handout

“I’ve noticed that the firm doesn’t just make statements about what it wants to do in the future,” Ghavi said. “It very quickly follows that up with concrete actions. And I’m very excited that immediately after announcing the formalization of this new practice area there will be a lot of growth.”

The new tech transactions practice will be comprised of lawyers with technology industry experience, representing a blend of tech companies themselves and non-tech companies on technology issues, Ghavi said. Right now, and for years to come, that most frequently means advising on generative AI-related matters, he said.

“It is a team of core experts in AI which then works with, pulls in, and quarterbacks the folks from other disciplines who might have less domain-specific experience,” Ghavi said.

Ghavi, who will be based in New York, was recommended to the firm by shared clients, Paul Hastings chair Frank Lopez said in a release.

“His reputation in the market and his exceptional industry knowledge will help establish Paul Hastings as a technology transactions leader,” Lopez said.

While some have viewed generative AI as a potential threat to the law firm business model, Ghavi said he expects its use will be more like the adoption of email or other technologies that allowed lawyers to be more productive.

“Every time law or the business of corporate counseling has gotten a productivity tool in its hands, it doesn’t tend to spend more time at the beach,” Ghavi said. “It tends to want to cram more things into the 24-hour cycle. I’m not ready to call this the one exception to that rule. I think we’ll find ways to do more.”