AI Mishap in Federal Lawsuit Prompts Morgan & Morgan to Tighten AI Policies for Attorneys
Staff Editor Law Firm Warns Attorneys of AI Risks After Fake Case Citations
Morgan & Morgan, a leading law firm, has issued a warning to its attorneys regarding the potential pitfalls of artificial intelligence (AI) in legal work. The firm’s action comes after two of its lawyers cited non-existent court cases in a federal lawsuit, attributing the error to an “internal AI tool.”
The warning, sent via email to over 1,000 lawyers within the firm, emphasizes the critical need for independent verification of AI-generated citations. This move aims to maintain the integrity of legal work in an era of increasing AI integration.
The incident that prompted this response involved a lawsuit against Walmart, alleging that a hoverboard sold by the company caused a house fire. During the proceedings, a federal judge reprimanded two Morgan & Morgan attorneys for including fake case law in their court filings. The lawyers sought leniency, explaining that the error stemmed from their use of an AI tool.
This case is not isolated, as similar issues have been reported in at least seven cases over the past two years, highlighting the broader risks of AI use in legal settings. AI models have shown a tendency to produce authoritative-sounding but false information, potentially leading to significant legal missteps.
In response to the incident, Morgan & Morgan has implemented new measures to mitigate future errors. The firm now requires attorneys to acknowledge the risks associated with AI use by checking a box in their AI tool. However, the firm has not instituted an outright ban on AI use, instead stressing the importance of careful verification of AI-generated outputs.
John Morgan, the firm’s founder, stated, “We are committed to leveraging technology responsibly while ensuring the highest standards of legal practice. This incident serves as a crucial reminder of the need for human oversight in AI-assisted work.”
The situation at Morgan & Morgan reflects a growing challenge across various industries as AI integration becomes more prevalent. Similar issues have been observed in fields such as autonomous driving and news reporting, where overreliance on AI can lead to complacency and errors.
This incident underscores the delicate balance professionals must strike between harnessing the benefits of AI and managing its limitations, particularly in critical fields like law. As AI continues to evolve and permeate professional practices, the legal community and other industries will likely face ongoing challenges in establishing best practices for its use.
