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Kirk Sigmon is not your average attorney. As a collaborator and intellectual property lawyer focused on AI legislation, he consistently strives to broaden his understanding in the swiftly advancing realm of technology. Unlike many peers in the sector, Kirk has adopted a practical approach to truly grasp the engineering behind the AI technologies he engages with daily. To achieve this, Kirk enrolled in the online Master’s of Engineering in Computer Engineering (MEng-CE) at Dartmouth, a program he characterizes as one that will, “yield infinite returns” in his career.
A winding route to expertise
Kirk’s educational and professional journey reflects his enthusiasm for enhancing his skills. He began with a bachelor’s degree in English Literature and Japanese, followed by law studies at Cornell. Early in his profession, he relocated to Japan, where he taught himself programming before fully transitioning to intellectual property law.
Recognizing the boundaries of his self-taught technical skills, Kirk returned to academia for a BS in Electrical Engineering at Arizona State University and later obtained an MBA from Temple University, all while sustaining his professional role.
“This electrical engineering credential qualified me for the patent bar,” he states. “So I could pursue a career as a patent attorney like I do now. However, as I gained more experience, I realized I wanted to delve deeper into AI.”
AI’s role in law
When individuals think of the legal sector, it may not be immediately obvious that AI is a significant factor. Yet in the field of IP law, Kirk is frequently collaborating with clients who seek his advice on data privacy implications and methods to safeguard their intellectual property associated with AI.
“My clients pose these inquiries, and before I know it, I’m investigating aspects like ‘How reversible is this machine learning model?’”
While we have not yet entered the era of AI committing crimes, Kirk is concentrated on thrilling projects connected to the AI elements of applications like self-driving cars or machine learning models designed to enhance business operations. For these applications, he aimed to elevate his existing engineering and self-taught programming expertise.
“We’re not at the stage where, you know, robots are dominating the planet just yet, so until we reach that point, I am specializing in the tangible components.”
Why pursue another degree? And why Dartmouth?
Kirk found Dartmouth’s online Master of Engineering in Computer Engineering program while researching AI and enrolling in courses on Coursera.
“The nature of IP law compels us to perpetually seek methods to enhance our engineering skills and deepen our understanding of what’s available. I had previously completed an IBM certificate on Coursera, and upon discovering the Dartmouth program, I thought, ‘Oh, this is absolutely something that would benefit me tremendously.’”
The syllabus, which merges machine learning, deep learning, FPGA courses, and embedded systems, provided the precise mix of skills he required.
“The program was thorough and addressed areas that were immediately beneficial for my role,” he states. “It was the ideal fusion of AI insight and engineering principles, and that’s genuinely where the action occurs.”
He remarked that his role often leads him to environments filled with engineering experts, and he was eager to be as knowledgeable and competent in their fields as possible. Aware of Dartmouth’s stellar reputation and the suitability of the online format for his already packed schedule, the MEng was an optimal choice.
“I had received nothing but positive feedback, both about the institution and its engineering department. In fact, one of the engineers I collaborate with closely is a Dartmouth Engineering graduate. It was an uncomplicated choice.”
Applying knowledge in real-time
Even while pursuing the program, Kirk is already observing concrete advantages in his professional life. He collaborates with companies in the autonomous vehicle sector, where his training in machine vision empowers him to converse knowledgeably with engineers about state-of-the-art technology.
“Most attorneys attempting to market themselves as AI experts have never programmed anything in their lifetime,” he remarks. “But having engaged in coding myself opens doors and lends me credibility.”
Kirk also incorporates real-world legal scenarios into his coursework. One project he’s creating involves using language models to examine copyright limits, a proof of concept that directly connects to ongoing AI law cases.
“The applicability of skills has been remarkable. It’s honestly all been directly relevant to my career. I can discuss developments in technology intelligently, which benefits us, as it enables me to confidently enter a room filled with engineers who have dedicated their lives to this field and at least be somewhat effective.”
An engaging online atmosphere
Despite being completely online, Dartmouth’s program fosters a sense of community and involvement that Kirk finds invaluable. He emphasizes educators such as Professor Chin (machine learning) and Professor Farnham (FPGAs and machine vision), who take considerable efforts to ensure students feel a connection and support.
“The instructors genuinely care. They know us personally, understand our work, and it feels like we’re actively engaged in the program,” Kirk says. “Even though the format has evolved, the experience remains fundamentally the same.”
Kirk’s group is small, comprising around 20 individuals, allowing for a more personalized and close-knit experience compared to larger programs. With practical courses that deliver kits directly to students’ residences, the learning transcends theory into hands-on application.
He is looking forward to an upcoming visit to the campus and continues to immerse himself in the Dartmouth community.
“As an online learner, it never feels like we are, for lack of a better expression, second-class citizens. We’re actively engaged in the program, and you can sense that the instructors are genuinely passionate. And I wish to be part of that; I want to fully connect.”
Carving out a niche in his profession
Following an expected graduation in Spring 2026, Kirk will possess five degrees in total, an achievement that highlights his perseverance and dedication to personal growth. With the diverse skill sets these qualifications offer, Kirk has comfortably settled into a professional niche that is benefiting both him and his firm remarkably well.
“Most attorneys aren’t knowledgeable about AI. Many have merely skimmed the Wikipedia overview, and they’ll venture out and speculate about AI dominating the world. Nevertheless, numerous opportunities have been
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opened up to me because I’ve genuinely engaged in coding, I comprehend the subject matter thoroughly, and I can substantiate my claims. My background from Dartmouth is already yielding benefits.”
Guidance for potential applicants
Kirk certainly doesn’t underestimate the commitment or complexity of the coursework. The demanding curriculum and the esteemed reputation of the institution are two factors he acknowledges aren’t suited for everyone. Nevertheless, the satisfaction in his achievements is unmistakable.
“I’m quite satisfied with the coursework, and it’s something that I take pleasure in, for lack of a more suitable word, boasting about. Because it allows me to demonstrate, like, look, ‘this isn’t merely a feather in my cap, this isn’t a typical evening class where they hand me numerous A’s and send me home. This is genuine, challenging coursework.’ And I’m immensely proud of my strong performance in it.”
His recommendation for upcoming Dartmouth students? Refresh the fundamentals.
“The finest preparation you can undertake is something Coursera already provides, which is kind of a preliminary program. The C Programming with Linux Specialization is a few-week course where you’re getting yourself back up to pace. And the essential element of that is, it serves as a good assessment to ask, ‘Hey, how feasible is it for me to allocate 20-30 hours a week for learning, viewing videos, getting reacquainted, while also working, having a family, and maintaining friendships?’”
Enduring education in practice
Currently residing in Washington, D.C., Kirk intends to visit Dartmouth’s campus in the autumn to further connect with the community and observe the engineering department firsthand. But even from a distance, he is already enjoying the benefits of the program, applying new competencies to both his legal practice and teaching engagements globally.
“Being able to grasp AI at a technical level isn’t just intriguing, it’s directly applicable to my work and grants me credibility in an area where most lawyers lack,” he states.
Kirk Sigmon’s path serves as a reminder that education and expertise don’t always follow a direct trajectory. By merging law, engineering, and AI, he has established a niche that enables him to impact both the technology and legal realms, demonstrating that with curiosity and perseverance, the borders between fields can be transcended and celebrated.
The post The Lawyer Who Codes: Why Kirk Sigmon chose Dartmouth Engineering appeared first on Coursera Blog.
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