By Nathaniel M. Glasser, Frances M. Green, Gretel Zumwalt, and Isabel Wolf – March 11, 2025
In this comprehensive article published by Epstein Becker & Green for the American Bar Association, lawyers at a US healthcare and life sciences law firm explore how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming legal practice and the ethical responsibilities that come with its adoption. Lawyers are increasingly using generative and agentic AI tools—such as ChatGPT, Harvey, Lex Machina, and Spellbook—to analyze contracts, draft legal documents, manage caseloads, and perform legal research. While these technologies promise efficiency and innovation, they raise critical concerns about confidentiality, competence, and the integrity of legal representation.
The authors emphasize that AI use must align with the American Bar Association’s Model Rules of Professional Conduct and evolving state bar guidance. Lawyers are expected to understand AI’s capabilities and risks, supervise AI-generated work, and ensure the protection of client information. High-profile missteps—such as fabricated case citations produced by AI—have led to judicial sanctions, demonstrating the importance of informed use and human oversight.
Ethical obligations also extend to billing practices: attorneys may not charge clients for learning to use AI tools and must ensure any AI-related costs are reasonable and disclosed. The article calls for responsible integration of AI, emphasizing transparency, data protection, and strict adherence to professional duties.
By proactively engaging with AI and complying with ethical standards, lawyers can enhance their services while safeguarding the foundational values of the legal profession.
Read the full story here (pdf).