Over the past few years, attorneys have been incorporating AI into day-to-day business operations in an effort to improve efficiency and provide enhanced client services. But as the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit recently reiterated in its decision in United States v. Farris,1 the use of AI tools, even those sponsored by trusted legal technology providers, must be employed in a manner consistent with an attorney’s ethical obligations. Indeed, as AI continues to achieve new frontiers and become more readily accessible, attorneys must take proactive measures to ensure that adherence to ethical obligations remain at the forefront of their practice.
The Farris Decision:
In Farris, the Sixth Circuit considered whether an attorney, appointed to represent a criminal defendant, committed misconduct by using AI to draft two briefs without properly verifying the legal authorities cited within same.
