Lawyers using AI tools must consider their many ethical obligations. The American Bar Association recently issued its first ethics guidance addressing the ethical issues involving AI and outlining the relevant model rules that AI users should be mindful of. You can read the formal opinion in its entirety here:
The sections below provide additional resources on key ethics concerns and the discussions that surround them.
Lawyers must provide "competent representation" to their clients.
Competent representation requires, in part, that lawyers stay up-to-date on technological changes in the practice of law. Many have interpreted this ethical duty to extend to AI and the integration of AI in legal tools.
Articles
Here are law review and journal articles discussing lawyers' ethical obligations in the context of AI. Please note that access to WestClip content is restricted to UW Law users.
Advancements in legal technology come with unique questions about software engaging in the unauthorized practice of law (UPL).
These concerns are especially relevant to the use of AI since the work performed by AI is historically that of lawyers.
Articles
Here are law review and journal articles discussing unauthorized practice of law in the context of AI. Please note that access to WestClip content is restricted to UW Law users.