Berkeley Law launches program aligned with California’s new privacy law specialization
Berkeley Law launches program aligned with California’s new privacy law specialization
Publish Date: 2026-07-02 17:19:00
Source Domain: nationaljurist.com
California has approved a new privacy law specialization, marking the first new State Bar legal specialty in 20 years. In response to the growing demand for attorneys with expertise in privacy, artificial intelligence governance and data compliance, the University of California, Berkeley School of Law has launched the Chief Privacy Officer Program, the first executive education program aligned with the new credential.
The program, which launched in January, is designed to help senior legal and privacy leaders navigate the rapidly shifting intersection of AI governance, tech regulation and data compliance. The program is implemented by Berkeley Law Executive Education in partnership with the Berkeley Center for Law & Technology.
Rather than simply outlining legal requirements, the Chief Privacy Program focuses on applying legal principles to real-world business challenges, reflecting the way privacy and AI issues arise in practice.
The program includes seven self-paced online modules designed for working professionals and interactive sessions with Berkeley Law faculty and guest speakers focused on emerging privacy and AI governance challenges. Participants receive exclusive access to BCLT’s B-CLE platform, including the full library of content needed to complete the remaining 60-hour education requirement for the State Bar of California’s Privacy Law Specialization.
Jeewon Serrato, senior fellow at the Berkeley Center for Law & Technology and a Chief Privacy Officer Program instructor, said this landmark move by the California State Bar reflects the accelerating evolution of data protection, cybersecurity and AI governance.
“The State Bar of California Board of Trustees voted to approve the Proposed Standards for Certification and Recertification in Privacy Law,” Serrato said. “This decision formally launches California’s first Privacy Law Specialization, positioning the state at the forefront of a growing movement to recognize privacy law…
