Generative AI in the Legal Profession: Standing court rules on AI use, and ethics opinions

Session I - From Terminator to Teammate: Navigating AI’s role in the modern legal practice - Troy Doucet and Tom Martin

In just two short years, AI has evolved from a toddler to a teenager, profoundly impacting industries, including law. With a quick dive into the background of AI and what’s happening now, even those terrible at math can geek out over the fascinating process behind training AI’s “brain.” But in the courtroom, avoiding AI-related missteps is critical, especially when considering ethical standards like those from Swartz, the ABA, and state rules. While some lawyers might prefer digging a ditch with a hand shovel rather than embracing new tech, practical AI tools and software options are transforming legal practice. Just like lawyers once feared email, AI's future—whether it becomes a Terminator-like threat or a collaborator—raises essential questions about when Skynet will “come online” and how the legal field can harness it responsibly.

Key topics to be discussed:

• Toddler to teenager in 2 years
  • Background on AI & what’s happening now
• Totally geeking out, but terrible at math?
  • Inside the AI training process and its “brain”
• Helpful tips to avoid embarrassing yourself in court
  • Swartz, ethics & ABA and state rules
• No, I’d rather dig that ditch myself with a hand shovel and bad back
  • Practical AI usage & current tools
• Remember when lawyers were afraid of email?
  • Prompting, coding, and software options
• When can we expect Skynet to come online?
  • Terminator, oracle, or collaborator & the future of AI

Session II - AI In the Courtroom: Practical guidance on the use, rules, and risks of AI - David Munkittrick and Kelly Landers Hawthorne

AI can be a powerful tool, but we have all heard the stories of briefs filled with cases that don’t exist and other AI-driven blunders. Can AI be used in the courtroom? How? Courts, bar associations, and ethics committees have begun to weigh in with rules and guidance on the use of AI. This session will discuss the implications and guardrails for the use of AI in the courtroom, and how it can enhance a litigator’s practice.

Key topics to be discussed:

• Key AI concepts and terminology
• Standing court rules on AI use
• Ethics opinions on AI use
• Risks of AI use and how to avoid them

Closed-captioning available