AI for Lawyers: Navigating Ethics & Best Practices

Greg Siskind will provide an overview of ethical rules governing a lawyer’s use of generative artificial intelligence as well as other potential sources of liability including state and federal laws, court rules, and malpractice claims. He will also discuss how to get the most use out of generative AI products including providing tips on creating prompts, how to shop for AI tools, and how to talk to your clients about your use of this new technology.

Topics covered include:

Ethics

Agenda:

Overview of Ethical Rules Governing a Lawyer’s Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence
- Ethics compliance
- Malpractice insurance carriers
- Court rules
- Regulatory oversight
Discussion of Additional Potential Sources of Liability
- State and federal laws
- Court rules
- Malpractice claims
Tips for Maximizing the Use of Generative AI Products
- Creating effective prompts
- Shopping for AI tools
- Communicating with clients about the use of generative AI
Questions & Answers

Duration of this webinar: 60 minutes

Originally broadcast: December 11, 2024 11:00 AM PT

Webinar Highlights

This webinar is divided into section summaries, which you can scan for key points and then dive into the sections that interest you the most.

00:00 Introduction and Speaker Overview

Nina introduces the webinar, highlighting its eligibility for CLE credit and the availability of downloadable materials for Justia Connect members. She promotes Justia Elevate, a website solution for law firms, emphasizing its AI tools and affordable pricing. Greg Siskind, the speaker, is introduced as an experienced immigration lawyer and AI company co-founder. Greg plans to discuss AI's ethical implications and its use in legal practices, stressing responsible usage. He reflects on his early adoption of technology in law, noting past ethical concerns about websites and email.

05:17 Understanding Generative AI

Greg discusses the evolving nature of technology ethics, comparing past concerns about the internet to current issues with AI. He introduces generative AI, explaining its ability to generate content from prompts, unlike traditional AI. Generative AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini are highlighted, noting their corporate backing. Greg explains the concept of 'temperature' in AI, affecting the conservativeness of responses. He outlines the risks of generative AI, including incorrect answers and data privacy concerns.

15:37 Legal Applications and Risks

Greg highlights the risks of using generative AI, such as hallucinations and data privacy issues. He discusses the Avianca case, where a lawyer faced consequences for using AI-generated fake cases. Greg emphasizes the importance of verifying AI-generated information to avoid malpractice claims. He notes the potential for biased information and copyright violations in AI-generated content. Greg discusses the need for oversight and compliance with ethics rules when using AI in legal practice.

26:26 Ethics and Compliance

Greg discusses the increasing relevance of AI in legal pleadings and the regulatory oversight involved. He highlights the importance of understanding different versions of AI tools and their compliance with ethics rules. Greg advises on checking court stances on AI usage and staying informed about state rulings. He emphasizes the need for lawyers to be competent in using AI and to communicate effectively with clients. Greg discusses the ethical implications of using AI, including confidentiality, supervision, and unauthorized practice of law.

52:06 AI Use Policies and Client Communication

Greg stresses the importance of AI use policies and training modules for law firms. He advises on client communication regarding AI usage, emphasizing transparency and trust. Greg discusses legal research tools, highlighting the importance of curated libraries and citation verification. He explains the significance of temperature settings in AI tools and the need for reliable citations. Greg advises on evaluating AI tools for sensitive data handling and integration with other systems.

01:02:24 AI Tools for Legal Practice

Greg discusses the importance of using specialized tools for drafting complex legal documents. He highlights the need for customizable templates and reliable information sources in AI tools. Greg emphasizes the role of AI in case management and billing, noting its potential for efficiency. He advises on using AI tools for client communication and building trust through transparency. Greg discusses the future of AI in law, emphasizing the importance of human interaction and trust in client relationships.

01:07:21 Future of AI in Law

Greg discusses the importance of building trust with clients regarding AI usage. He advises on explaining AI's role and benefits to clients, emphasizing transparency and collaboration. Greg highlights the need for addressing client concerns about AI, suggesting flexibility in its usage. He discusses the evolving lawyer-client relationship, emphasizing the importance of human interaction. Greg introduces VisaLaw.ai, his AI tool for immigration law, and discusses its potential impact.

Please note this AI-generated summary provides a general overview of the webinar but may not capture all details, nuances, or the exact words of the speaker. For complete accuracy, please refer to the original webinar recording.

Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Credits

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California CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 Legal Ethics

Earn Credit Until: June 30, 2026

South Carolina CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 Legal Ethics/Professional Responsibility

Difficulty: All Levels

Earn Credit Until: December 31, 2025

North Carolina CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 Ethics

Earn Credit Until: February 28, 2026

Texas CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 Legal Ethics/Professional Responsibility

Earn Credit Until: November 30, 2025

This presentation is approved for one hour of Legal Ethics CLE credit in California, one hour of Legal Ethics/Professional Responsibility CLE credit in South Carolina (all levels), and one hour of Ethics CLE credit in North Carolina. This course has been approved for Minimum Continuing Legal Education credit by the State Bar of Texas Committee on MCLE in the amount of 1.00 credit hours, of which 1.00 credit hours will apply to Legal Ethics/Professional Responsibility credit.

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Speaker

Greg Siskind Founding Partner
Siskind Susser, PC

Greg Siskind is a founding partner of Siskind Susser and has been practicing immigration law since 1990. He is also a co-founder of AI software company Visalaw Ventures. He received his bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University and his law degree from the University of Chicago. Read More ›