Russ Pearlman brings a rare combination to the practice of law: more than 25 years as a C-suite technology executive paired with an active legal practice focused on technology transactions, AI governance, and emerging technology risk. With an M.S. in Artificial Intelligence and a J.D. from SMU Dedman School of Law, he is one of the few attorneys in the country who has served as both a sitting Chief Information Officer and a practicing lawyer simultaneously. An award-winning CIO and a Texas Super Lawyers Rising Star in Technology Transactions, Russ brings an operator’s instinct to every engagement, understanding not just what the law requires, but how technology actually works inside complex organizations.
Russ’s practice spans technology transactions, AI governance and regulatory compliance, data privacy, and strategic technology advisory work. His dual perspective makes him a “go-to” counselor for organizations navigating digital transformation, artificial intelligence adoption, vendor negotiations, and technology risk. He doesn’t just advise on technology law. He has lived it from the inside, leading enterprise-scale implementations across higher education, automotive, consulting, and financial services, managing information security programs, and building governance frameworks from the ground up.