Hanson Bridgett Deploys Claude AI Firmwide

Hanson Bridgett LLP has launched Claude AI across its full firm, making it one of the first AmLaw 200 firms to do so.

San Francisco-based Hanson Bridgett LLP, an Am Law 200 firm with more than 200 attorneys, has adopted Anthropic's Claude platform firmwide for both attorneys and professional staff, the firm announced on June 1, 2026. The rollout covers all California offices and follows Anthropic's launch of Claude for Legal, a suite of practice-area-specific workflows and integrations built for legal platforms.

This deployment signals a broader shift in how large law firms are structuring AI adoption, not as a pilot or experiment, but as a governed, firmwide practice affecting legal and administrative work at scale.

The Rollout

Hanson Bridgett attorneys are using Claude to summarize deposition testimony and lengthy records, draft routine correspondence and memos, compare document versions, and support due diligence review in corporate transactions.

Professional staff teams across operations, marketing, HR, finance, knowledge management, and IT are also using the platform. Their use cases include drafting, editing, research, and organizational workflows.

Claude serves as the foundation of the firm's AI portfolio, which also includes Microsoft Copilot and additional platforms the firm continues to evaluate.

Governance First

Before deploying the platform, the firm developed a written AI use policy, data restrictions covering what information may be used within AI systems, enterprise-grade data protections, and an ongoing internal review process for workflows and outputs.

The governance framework was built by Hanson Bridgett's IT, operations, and risk management teams and applies firmwide to both attorneys and professional staff.

"AI is a tool that can support legal work, but it does not replace professional judgment or attorney responsibility," said Brad Hise, the firm's risk management partner. "Our focus has been on putting governance structures and oversight in place before deployment and implementing these tools in ways that align with the duties we owe our clients."

Operations and Culture

Laura Long, the firm's Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer, framed the rollout as a long-term investment in capability rather than a short-term cost measure.

"This is about building long-term capability across the firm, helping our attorneys and professional staff adapt thoughtfully as these tools evolve, and creating a foundation for how we continue learning and innovating over time," Long said.

The firm stated it does not anticipate reducing summer associate or entry-level hiring as a result of the deployment. Hanson Bridgett views AI literacy and responsible AI use as professional skills and plans to incorporate both into firmwide training and development efforts.

Industry Context

The deployment comes shortly after Anthropic launched Claude for Legal, which includes integrations connecting Claude directly to platforms used for e-discovery, document management, contract review, and legal research. E-discovery refers to the process of identifying and reviewing electronically stored information in legal proceedings.

Hanson Bridgett is one of the first firms within the Am Law 200, a ranking of the 200 highest-grossing law firms in the United States, to roll out Claude across its full workforce rather than limiting access to a subset of attorneys or practice groups.

The firm is also the first law firm certified as a B Corp, a certification awarded to companies that meet verified standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency.

About Hanson Bridgett

Hanson Bridgett LLP is an Am Law 200 law firm with more than 200 attorneys and offices across California. The firm serves businesses, public agencies, nonprofits, and individuals across multiple industries. It is the first law firm to be certified as a B Corp and is headquartered in San Francisco.