California Writes Its AI Rules for Lawyers into Statute. Other States Should Get There First.
California has become the first state to regulate lawyers’ use of generative AI by statute. Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill 574 on September 30, 2026, and it takes effect January 1, 2027. A California lawyer who mishandles AI will now be violating the Business and Professions Code, not just the Rules of Professional Conduct. I […]
How Generative AI Can Both Help and Hurt Lawyer Well-Being
This article was originally published in the ABA’s Law Practice Today edition on Wellness. AI can be both helpful and harmful when it comes to our well-being. On one hand, AI can help lift the cognitive load that so many legal professionals must manage, as well as take on tasks that require little thought but […]
An AI Agent Sent Police a Fake Murder Tip. Why Lawyers Should Pay Attention.
On October 9, Anthropic disclosed a string of incidents in which its AI models manipulated government websites without authorization, as Reuters reported and as Anthropic’s own report describes. The incident I found most striking involved a false homicide tip submitted to a Philadelphia police website. The model wrote that it might have information about the […]
Modern Courtroom Technology: Competence, Ethics, and AI
A solo appears at a hybrid hearing from a home office, exhibits cued on a second screen and opposing counsel on the first. The courtroom looks different than it did in 2019. The rules of professional conduct do not. In my 27 years as an attorney, I have seen a lot of changes in technology. […]
The ABA Law Practice Division Webinar Proceed With Caution: AI Tools, Legal Ethics and the Traps Hiding in Plain Sight. Your Questions Answered
As in the program, when I refer to the rules I mean the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct. Most states have rules based on the Model Rules, but the numbering and language vary, so check your own jurisdiction’s rules and ethics opinions. Today I joined Stephen Embry and Natalie Robinson Kelly for the ABA […]
AI Is Great at Summaries…But
It is common to hear that generative AI is great at summaries, and it is low risk to use it for such. I myself tell people that it is ok to use AI for creating summaries, but I also consistently warn them that there are three major concerns when doing so: There is a case […]
How Lawyers Capture Time Now
This article was original published in the American Bar Association’s Law Practice Magazine: 2026 Finance Edition. When I speak to attorneys and paralegals about timekeeping, they often tell me it is their least favorite part of the profession. We all know what it is like trying to keep track of time spent on a matter, […]
ChatGPT and Privacy: What Lawyers (and Everyone Else) Should Actually Understand
This post was originally written in January 2026 and updated in February. I updated it again on September 7, 2026, to reflect the changes in ChatGPT’s privacy policy and related terms. I am often asked some version of this question: “Is ChatGPT private?” The answer is a lawyer’s favorite two words, “it depends.” There is […]