Mehdi Ansari

Intellectual Property & Technology Transactions, Artificial Intelligence, Technology, Digital Infrastructure, Digital Assets, Financial Institutions

Mehdi Ansari is a partner and Co-Head of the Sullivan & Cromwell’s Intellectual Property and Technology Group and the Firm’s Artificial Intelligence Practice. Mehdi’s practice focuses on advising clients on a wide range of transactions involving artificial intelligence, intellectual property and technology, including mergers and acquisitions, licenses, settlements, joint ventures and a variety of complex commercial arrangements. In addition, he has significant experience advising clients on AI digital infrastructure matters.

Mehdi is widely recognized as a leader in his field, known for “deftly handling major transactions” for industry icons (IAM Patent 1000). He is ranked Band 1 by Chambers USA, was named an “MVP in Technology” by Law360, an “IP Trailblazer” by The National Law Journal, one of the world’s leading patent professionals by IAM Patent 1000 seven years in a row, and a “Rising Star in Sports & Betting” by Law360.

Mehdi has been deeply involved in AI and its legal and ethical implications for many years, advising clients on their most significant AI-related matters, including “first-of-kind” and “bet-the-company” deals involving AI development, digital infrastructure and compute. Prior to attending law school, Mehdi studied computer science, including neural networks and machine learning, and that technical knowledge and background has enabled Mehdi to provide differentiated advice to his clients.

A thought-leader in the field, Mehdi is a Lecturer in Law at Columbia Law School, where he teaches a course on IP transactions, including artificial intelligence and patent, software and trademark licensing. He serves as board member of JUST Capital and co-head of the transactional subcommittee of the New York City Bar’s Sports Law Committee, is a member of the New York City Bar’s Presidential Task Force on Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technologies, and sits on Law360’s Intellectual Property editorial board. Mehdi is also a frequent public speaker, including on topics related to artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, technology M&A, licensing agreements, and publicity rights.

University of California, Berkeley (JD, 2008); University of California, Berkeley (BS, 2005).