Knobbe Martens names new co-chairs for AI practice

Knobbe Martens on Aug. 4 named partners Harnik Shukla and Bryan McWhorter as co-chairs of its Artificial Intelligence practice, formalizing work the firm has long done at the intersection of AI and intellectual property. The move signals a bigger push to coordinate patent, licensing, regulatory and litigation support for clients building and deploying AI.

Why it matters: - Knobbe Martens is consolidating its AI work under one practice structure, aiming to give clients a more coordinated approach to patent strategy, trade secrets, data rights, licensing and litigation. - The practice sits at the center of fast-changing legal issues for companies building AI, machine learning and large language models.

What happened: - Knobbe Martens named partners Harnik Shukla and Bryan McWhorter co-chairs of its Artificial Intelligence practice on Aug. 4, 2026. - Steven Nataupsky, managing partner at Knobbe Martens, said the firm has guided clients on AI and intellectual property issues for decades and that the new structure will strengthen that work. - The firm said the AI practice has been active since AI, machine learning and large language models first emerged.

The details: - Shukla, based in Orange County, builds patent portfolios for AI, machine learning, sensor and signal processing technologies, with significant work in medical devices. - Shukla has advised on IP strategies tied to investments and acquisitions worth more than $10 billion. - Shukla’s work has been recognized in multiple legal and intellectual property guides. - McWhorter, based in Seattle, advises software, telecommunications, cloud computing and machine learning clients on patent procurement, portfolio strategy and dispute resolution. - McWhorter handles appeals and other special proceedings before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. - McWhorter also advises on clearance, infringement and licensing matters. - McWhorter is a frequent author and speaker on generative AI’s impact on patent practice and business operations. - Knobbe Martens said its AI lawyers hold advanced degrees in electrical engineering, computer science and related fields. - The practice covers patent strategy and prosecution, trade secrets, data rights, trademark and copyright protection, open-source licensing, regulatory compliance and litigation. - The firm serves clients in medical devices, pharmaceuticals, consumer products, financial services, autonomous vehicles, telecommunications, manufacturing and software.

Between the lines: - The appointment reflects how AI legal work is moving from a broad, dispersed service line to a more formal practice with dedicated leadership. - Knobbe Martens is betting that technical depth and IP-specific counseling will remain a differentiator as AI adoption expands across regulated and patent-heavy industries. - Shukla and McWhorter both emphasized client pressure points that are likely to shape the next phase of AI legal work, including inventorship, open-source exposure and changing regulation.

What's next: - Knobbe Martens is likely to continue building out its AI practice as clients push for legal guidance from early research through commercial deployment and enforcement. - The firm said its AI team will keep advising on the fast-moving regulatory environment and the IP issues tied to generative AI and LLMs. - The practice page directs readers to learn more about the practice.

The bottom line: - Knobbe Martens is formalizing a long-running specialty into a named AI practice, with two partners set to steer a growing mix of patent, licensing and regulatory work.