Extract from Gleb Tsipursky’s article “Justice Meets Algorithms: The Rise of Gen AI in Law Firms”
Integrating generative artificial intelligence (gen AI) into law firms presents a transformative opportunity to enhance efficiency, accuracy and client service. However, this integration must be approached thoughtfully, adhering to ethical guidelines and being mindful of potential risks.
Notable Misuses of Gen AI in Law
In one notorious case, a New York attorney faced sanctions after submitting a legal brief that cited nonexistent cases generated by ChatGPT.[1] The lawyer admitted to failing to verify the authenticity of these citations, leading to a $5,000 fine and a mandate to inform affected clients about the misconduct.
Similarly, a Texas lawyer was fined $2,000 for filing a document containing fictitious citations produced by an AI tool.[2] The court also required the attorney to complete a course on the ethical use of generative AI in legal settings.
These cases underscore the ethical and professional risks associated with unverified reliance on gen AI outputs. They highlight the necessity for attorneys to exercise due diligence and maintain human oversight when incorporating AI into their practice.
