Gibson Dunn & Crutcher has hired Google’s former chief privacy officer Keith Enright to bolster its artificial intelligence (AI) and tech coverage in the US.

Enright joins as a partner in the firm’s Palo Alto office and will co-chair its AI practice group, as well as its tech and innovation industry group. He joins a growing cadre of former Silicon Valley executives on Gibson Dunn’s tech bench, including Apple’s former chief privacy officer Jane Hovarth, senior Apple attorney Vivek Mohan and Facebook’s former deputy GC Ashlie Beringer.

He brings with him more than 20 years of leadership experience on issues related to data privacy and protection, AI governance, cybersecurity, information management and regulation. At Google, he led the company’s global privacy and consumer protection legal functions. His practice at Gibson Dunn will focus on advising clients on AI and data-related matters with regards to regulation, public policy, compliance and customer challenges.

Beringer, who will co-chair the tech and innovation group alongside Enright, said: “Keith is a recognised global leader on privacy, AI and data innovation, with experience navigating front-page legal and regulatory issues and investigations. His technical depth and strategic insights will benefit Gibson Dunn’s burgeoning technology, AI, privacy and cybersecurity platform.”

Enright spent more than 13 years at Google, having previously been chief privacy officer at US department store chain Macy’s. He also had in-house spells at retailer Limited Brands (now known as Bath & Body Works) as a senior attorney and director for its enterprise information policy; at IBM’s consulting arm as a senior consultant and privacy technology lead; and as general counsel at online advertising specialist Adknowledge.

He said: “With the swell of technology regulation globally, coupled with the technological shifts that GenAI is driving across industries, we are in a transformational era, and I look forward to expanding this growing practice at Gibson Dunn.

“Gibson Dunn has built a destination practice for companies embracing the digital migration and grappling with data strategies and risks associated with these new disruptive technologies. I am excited to begin the next chapter of my career alongside the firm’s team to help clients address these complex challenges.”

Other international firms have been taking steps to expand their AI capabilities to meet growing client demand for AI-related advice. In May, Sullivan & Cromwell launched a dedicated AI practice, which is being co-led by Nader Mousavi, Medhi Ansari and Presley Warner. And in October last year, Eversheds Sutherland appointed its TMT sector head Nasser Ali Khasawneh to oversee its newly formed AI leadership team.