Marketing AI Institute | Blog

The Legal Questions AI Is Forcing Every Agency to Face

Written by Cathy McPhillips | Jan 26, 2026 1:30:00 PM

AI is creating big opportunities for agencies. It's also creating real legal exposure.

As AI becomes more deeply integrated into agency operations and client work, issues around intellectual property, data privacy, and regulation are becoming harder to ignore. Questions such as: Who owns AI-generated content? What happens when training data includes copyrighted material? How do you handle client data responsibly when AI tools are part of your workflow?

Most agencies don't have clear answers yet, but they need to find them. Waiting too long to figure them out could put your agency at risk. 

At the AI for Agencies Summit, presented by Screendragon, Samantha Jorden of Toerek Law (Legal + Creative) will deliver, "AI, IP and Risk: What Agency Leaders Need to Know Now," an overview of the legal challenges agencies are likely to face this year. She’ll also include practical steps you can take now to reduce risk while moving forward with AI.

Why This Matters for Agencies

Agency leaders are navigating a growing tension between the opportunities AI creates and the legal questions it introduces.

Because the technology is moving fast, regulations and laws are still catching up. As a result, agencies are making decisions every day about how to use AI in their work, often without clear legal guidance.

Jorden works with agencies of all sizes across the country, helping them understand where the risks are and how to move forward responsibly. Her perspective is practical, not fear-based: She encourages exploration of AI, guided by intentional, researched, and ethical guidelines.

This session is designed to give agency leaders clarity on potential pitfalls, along with the confidence to keep innovating.

What You'll Learn in This Session

During this session, Samantha will cover:

  • The intellectual property questions agencies need to understand 
  • Data privacy considerations when AI tools interact with client information
  • Emerging regulations and what they could mean for agency operations
  • Practical steps to reduce legal risk without slowing down AI adoption
  • How to build responsible AI practices into your agency

This isn't a session designed to scare you away from AI. It's designed to help you use it smarter.

Join the Conversation at the AI for Agencies Summit

Samantha Jorden will present "AI, IP and Risk: What Agency Leaders Need to Know Now" at the AI for Agencies Summit, a free, virtual event happening on Feb. 12, 2026, for agency leaders and practitioners navigating AI adoption with intention.

  • February 12
  • Free registration
  • Virtual

Register for the AI for Agencies Summit

If you want to understand the legal landscape around AI and take practical steps to protect your agency, this is a session you don't want to miss.

Learn More From Samantha Jorden

Follow Samantha on LinkedIn

Learn more about Legal + Creative | Toerek Law

About Samantha Jorden

Samantha Jorden is an associate at Cleveland’s Toerek Law, a law firm advising and supporting agencies throughout the country. She specializes in artificial intelligence, intellectual property, technology, and agency regulatory compliance.

Jorden received her law degree from Texas A&M University School of Law, where she graduated with a concentration in Intellectual Property. After several years of representing artists and creatives, she joined Toerek Law and has fully immersed herself in the agency world.

When it comes to AI, Jorden encourages exploration of all frontiers, guided by the philosophy of intentional, researched, and ethical innovation. She is continually inspired by the industry leaders she works with and uses her experiences to create AI-powered resources for the benefit of her firm and her personal life.

About the AI for Agencies Summit

The AI for Agencies Summit brings together agency leaders and practitioners to explore how AI is reshaping agency models, services, and growth.

Do you want to hear from Samantha and five other agency leaders? Register for the free, virtual AI for Agencies Summit 2026, taking place Feb. 12, 2026.