WebCredenza 2025 Generative AI in law practice: Opportunities and ethical perils

The use of artificial intelligence and machine learning in law practice are not far off prospects, but rather accomplished realities. Many of the tools lawyers use today – online research platforms that suggest other areas for research, software packages that help complete forms or propose or assemble document language, and discovery tools that sort through documents – are driven by artificial intelligence and machine learning. These and other AI engineered legal tools raise substantial ethical issues. Are they the unauthorized practice of law? Have lawyers researched their capabilities such that they are competent to use them? How must lawyers supervise their use by non-lawyer staff? This program will provide you with a practical guide to the substantial ethical issues arising from the use of common law practice tools that use artificial intelligence and machine learning.

• Ethical issues in the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning in law practice.
• What duties do lawyers have to investigate and understand AI in the tools they use?
• Does AI constitute the unauthorized practice of law (UPL) in a state?
• Do form assembly and language drafting software packages violate ethics rules?
• What supervisory and training obligations do lawyers have for non-lawyer staff using these tools?
• Are there ethics concerns about using AI in discovery?
• Must lawyers warn clients that they use AI?

Opinions and positions stated by presenters of MoBarCLE programs are those of the presenters and not necessarily those of The Missouri Bar. This program is intended as information for lawyers in Missouri, in conjunction with other research they deem necessary, in the exercise of their independent judgment.