Southwestern Law School is launching a new schoolwide program focused on artificial intelligence and legal practice, reflecting the growing expectation that new lawyers understand how AI is being used across the profession.
The program, Introduction to AI & Law, will debut in 2026 and is open to all J.D. and LL.M. students. It was developed in partnership with Wickard.ai, a legal technology education provider.
Southwestern said the initiative is designed to give students practical exposure to how artificial intelligence is already shaping legal work, from research and drafting to litigation support, while also addressing the ethical and professional responsibility issues tied to AI use.
“Employers increasingly expect new lawyers to understand how artificial intelligence is used in legal research, drafting, and other core legal workflows, as well as the ethical and professional responsibility obligations that accompany its use,” said Dean Darby Dickerson. “Through this program, Southwestern Law School is ensuring that our students graduate with the knowledge and practical awareness needed to be practice ready in an AI enabled legal profession.”
Instruction will focus on real-world applications of AI in legal practice, as well as risk management topics such as hallucinations, confidentiality concerns and professional responsibility obligations. Southwestern said the program emphasizes practice-ready skills rather than theoretical instruction.
The new offering builds on a prior collaboration between Southwestern and Wickard.ai in 2025, when Wickard provided AI training for the school’s Parris Academy for Excellence in Law & Leadership.
“Southwestern Law School has long been ahead of the curve on innovation in legal education, and this program is a natural extension of that leadership,” said Oliver Roberts, CEO and Founder of Wickard.ai and instructor for Introduction to AI & Law. “Dean Dickerson and Southwestern have demonstrated a clear commitment to ensuring that students are prepared for AI in modern legal practice”
Students who successfully complete Introduction to AI & Law will earn Southwestern’s Law & Generative AI badge. The credential may be listed on resumes and professional profiles and is intended to signal to employers that a student has received verified training in AI-related legal skills and understands the current legal and ethical considerations surrounding its use.
