California Partners Recognized as Top AI Lawyers

Partners Shiva Aminian and Natasha Kohne, of Akin’s Los Angeles and San Francisco offices, respectively, have been selected as Top AI Lawyers by Daily Journal. The list highlights those that have made significant strides in the rapidly changing AI space.

Shiva began her practice almost 20 years ago, focusing on international trade with a concentration on export controls and sanctions. Now, there’s “been a shift,” with Shiva noting, “In this practice area, you have to be very malleable, adaptable, and stay two steps ahead of the game."

In her profile for the achievement, Daily Journal describes Shiva as standing “at the forefront of the rapidly evolving intersection between artificial intelligence and international trade,” and identifies her as a “leading voice in AI regulation and global commerce.”

While the AI landscape is constantly shifting, Shiva notes that the fluidity of the field is what makes it so fascinating, saying, “The geopolitical landscape shapes international trade laws at any given time." Part of her practice involves helping shape legislation, revising draft laws, and providing input on proposed regulations. She also discusses the emergence of AI as being classified an issue of national security, saying, “This is the first time in a long time where advancement in science equals national security.”

Natasha Kohne began taking on AI matters about a decade ago, where she began to see its “potential to revolutionize various industries.” Described by Daily Journal as “being at the forefront of Akin’s artificial intelligence initiatives,” she serves as the “global co-leader of the firm’s cross-disciplinary technology and AI and machine learning groups,” and is the “firmwide leader of its cybersecurity, privacy and data protection practice.”

With her background in technology, foreign investments and national security, she views AI “as a natural extension” from her experience in privacy and cyber law, telling Daily Journal, “The U.S. regulatory landscape started to develop similar patters to the development of the data privacy and cybersecurity regulatory landscapes,” adding, “As AI technology progresses, it brings with it an array of data privacy and security considerations.”

With frequent new developments in AI, Natasha notes, “There will be a need to address issues of accountability and transparency in AI decision-making processes.”