California Lawyers Association Task Force on Artificial Intelligence Publishes Report on AI in the Practice of Law 

By Jeremy M. Evans
Chair, California Lawyers Association Task Force on Artificial Intelligence

The California Lawyers Association Task Force on Artificial Intelligence (“Task Force”) completed and released its report on the use of Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) in the practice of law in California on September 5, 2024.  The full report can be accessed online.  The Task Force members worked tirelessly to complete the report starting their work in early September 2023.  The Task Force Advisory Committee was also instrumental in suggesting resources and ideas.  

The report summarizes that AI in the practice should follow three basic principles: (1) privacy and confidentiality in using AI to create content (e.g., purchasing the paid AI platform option for a more robust license and other protections), (2) human editing and review of AI content, and (3) appropriate disclosure of generative AI use upon release, use, or sharing.  The Task Force commended the State Bar of California for its novel approach of applying the existing Rules of Professional Conduct to the use of AI and being knowledgeable and competent in technology updates, not requiring disclosure or client approval for the use of AI, and in making sure that the client benefits from time saved in using AI.  The Task Force also highlights other task force reports as resources for California attorneys.  

The Task Force report summarizes the history of AI use in legal practice, shares interviews/use cases with California practitioners on AI use, and concludes that stakeholders should continue working together as generative AI and technology improve.  The Task Force highlights the need of continuing to include regulators, attorneys, bar associations, ethics experts, and technology experts in future discussions to help fully and continually guide the legal profession.  The Task Force report was also discussed at the California Lawyers Association and California Judges Association Annual Meetings during a joint session on AI on Saturday, September 7, 2024, entitled “The Landscape of Artificial Intelligence in the Legal Profession: Trends, Implications, and Ethical Considerations.” 

Chair, California Lawyers Association Task Force on Artificial Intelligence
President, California Lawyers Foundation
Immediate Past President, California Lawyers Association