Willkie Achieves ISO 42001 Certification, Among the First Global Law Firms to Attain Internationally Recognized Standard for Responsible AI Management

April 14, 2026

Willkie announced that it has achieved ISO/IEC 42001:2023 certification, and is now among the first global law firms to meet this internationally recognized standard for Artificial Intelligence Management Systems (AIMS). This milestone underscores the firm's leadership in responsible AI governance and its continued investment in advanced, client-facing technology platforms.

John Elbasan, Chief Digital and Information Officer at Willkie, commented: "Achieving ISO 42001 certification is a critical foundation for how we approach AI as a firm. It reflects a disciplined approach to applying AI, pairing advanced capabilities with a governance framework that is designed, tested and continuously improved across the AI lifecycle to meet the highest standards. As we partner with leading AI providers and build our own advanced capabilities, this certification reinforces that our use of AI is accountable, secure and independently validated, and focused on delivering measurable value for our clients and the firm."

ISO 42001 establishes requirements for implementing and maintaining effective AI governance frameworks. Willkie's certification reflects an enterprise-wide approach to managing AI across its global operations, supported by a comprehensive governance program that includes third-party risk evaluation, firmwide policies, and ongoing training and professional development, with lifecycle oversight from evaluation through deployment and continuous monitoring. This approach provides clients with clear assurance that these technologies are deployed responsibly, securely, transparently and in alignment with legal and regulatory expectations.

This achievement builds on Willkie's broader investments in AI innovation, including the development of firmwide platforms such as Wendell Intelligence, the Willkie Class Action Claimant Platform, and the Willkie Asset Management Portal-purpose-built solutions supporting large-scale litigation management and complex asset management workflows. These capabilities are deployed across practice groups and business functions, supporting a wide range of legal workflows and client engagements. ISO 42001 certification further reinforces that these capabilities are supported by a governance framework designed to ensure responsible deployment at scale.

This approach is complemented by Willkie's strategic partnerships with leading AI providers, including Harvey and LexisNexis Protégé™, bringing together best-in-class external capabilities and internally developed platforms within a unified, governance-driven framework.

Aaron Bean, Director of Risk Program at Willkie, commented: "Achieving ISO 42001 certification reflects a coordinated, firmwide effort across technical, legal and management teams. Building on our ISO 27001, 22301 and SOC 2 certifications, this milestone strengthens our ability to govern AI with the same rigor we apply to data protection, risk management and client confidentiality, providing clients with confidence that our use of AI meets the highest standards of security, accountability, transparency and oversight, governed with the same discipline as our most critical systems."

Willkie's best-in-class AI capabilities are among the most comprehensive in the legal industry. ISO 42001 certification further strengthens this foundation, reinforcing the firm's disciplined, governance-driven deployment of advanced technology in ways that support its business and deliver measurable value for clients-providing confidence that its use of AI meets the highest standards of accountability, security and oversight.