Norm Law LLP, an AI-native law firm established to serve global institutional clients, has recently expanded its leadership team by appointing Alan Weil as Partner and Head of Real Estate. Weil, formerly the Global Head of Real Estate at Sidley Austin LLP, brings extensive experience in financing, development, acquisition, and disposition of various commercial real estate assets, including hotels, office buildings, multifamily properties, and retail spaces. He also has significant expertise in advising on mortgage and mezzanine loans, construction loans, real estate joint ventures, and warehouse lending facilities. At Norm Law, Weil will lead the firm’s real estate practice and collaborate with attorneys, legal engineers, and AI engineers to develop AI-native workflows for complex real estate transactions and financings. ([prnewswire.com](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/norm-law-appoints-former-sidley-global-head-of-real-estate-alan-weil-as-partner-and-head-of-real-estate-302748645.html?utm_source=openai))
In addition to Weil’s appointment, Norm Law has attracted other prominent figures from leading law firms. Mike Schmidtberger, who served as Sidley Austin’s executive committee chair from 2018 to 2025, joined Norm Law as Chairman, Partner, and Head of the Investment Funds and Regulatory practice. During his tenure at Sidley, Schmidtberger oversaw a period where the firm’s annual revenue doubled from approximately $2 billion to $4 billion. At Norm Law, he is tasked with guiding the firm’s long-term strategy and integrating AI systems into legal workflows. ([news.bloomberglaw.com](https://news.bloomberglaw.com/white-collar-and-criminal-law/former-sidley-leader-embraces-future-joining-ai-law-firm?utm_source=openai))
David Sorin has been appointed as Partner and Head of Private Equity and Venture Capital. Sorin previously held partner roles at WilmerHale and Brown Rudnick, where he co-chaired the Technology group. He brings decades of experience in venture financings, private equity, and mergers and acquisitions. ([citybiz.co](https://www.citybiz.co/article/797305/norm-law-appoints-former-sidley-austin-chairman-mike-schmidtberger-as-chairman-and-partner/?utm_source=openai))
Mike Rupe joins as Partner and Head of Private Credit and Business Development. Rupe has over 25 years of experience advising private credit funds, financial institutions, and alternative capital providers. He previously led the Financial Restructuring practice at King & Spalding and later headed the Special Situations practice at Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft. ([citybiz.co](https://www.citybiz.co/article/797305/norm-law-appoints-former-sidley-austin-chairman-mike-schmidtberger-as-chairman-and-partner/?utm_source=openai))
These strategic appointments align with Norm Law’s mission to integrate AI technology into legal services, aiming to deliver faster, more precise, and consistent outcomes for clients. The firm operates in conjunction with Norm Ai, a company that develops AI agents designed to translate legal and compliance workflows into software. This collaboration enables Norm Law to offer AI-driven legal services tailored to the needs of institutional clients. ([lawfuel.com](https://www.lawfuel.com/ex-sidley-chair-bets-big-on-ai-native-law-firm-norm-law/?utm_source=openai))
Norm Law’s innovative approach has attracted significant investment, including a $50 million investment from Blackstone in Norm Ai. This funding supports the development of AI systems that align closely with client contexts and the granular workflows of attorneys, enhancing the firm’s ability to deliver efficient and effective legal services. ([citybiz.co](https://www.citybiz.co/article/797305/norm-law-appoints-former-sidley-austin-chairman-mike-schmidtberger-as-chairman-and-partner/?utm_source=openai))
By bringing together experienced legal professionals and cutting-edge AI technology, Norm Law is positioning itself at the forefront of the evolving legal industry, offering a new model for delivering legal services to institutional clients.