Baked-In Bias: Practical steps to avoiding the hidden risks of AI (2025 Edition)

R. Andrew “Drew” Patty II | Phelps Dunbar LLP

Mr. Patty is a Partner with the law firm Phelps Dunbar LLP. He leads the firm’s Artificial Intelligence Working Group and is a member of the firm’s Intellectual Property (IP) and Cybersecurity Practice Groups. He is a registered U.S. patent attorney and has extensive experience in preparing and prosecuting patents in the chemical, medical device and mechanical fields, as well as the software and financial services fields. His practice also includes administrative appeals and proceedings before both the Patent Trial and Appeal Board and the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, patent, trademark and copyright litigation in federal district courts and ICANN UDRP domain name dispute-resolution proceedings. A graduate of Tulane University and the University of North Carolina School of Law, he is a past Adjunct Professor of Patent Law at both L.S.U. Law Center and Southern University Law Center, is a member of the Texas, North Carolina, Louisiana and DC Bars. His practice recognitions include Chambers USA for Intellectual Property Law as well as a “Lawyer of the Year” over multiple years by The Best Lawyers in America® for Patent and Trademark Law.

Marissa J. Moran | CUNY

Marissa J. Moran is an attorney admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court, New York State, New Jersey, and the United States District Courts. She received her B.A. in Economics, cum laude, from Fordham University, and is a member of the Sigma Alpha Nu Honor Society. She received her law degree from Brooklyn Law School, was a Dean’s Merit Scholar and received the American Jurisprudence Awards in Evidence; Real Estate Practice; and Trial Advocacy. While in law school she interned at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of New York (SDNY) and upon graduation, clerked for U.S. Bankruptcy Chief Judge Burton R. Lifland, SDNY. She later worked as an associate at Kaye, Scholer, Fierman, Hays & Handler and Emmet, Marvin and Martin.

She is currently a professor at CUNY in the Department of Law and Paralegal Studies, New York City College of Technology, an ABA approved degree, where she teaches Legal Technology, Forensic Science & The Legal Process, Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibilities, and Theatre of Law. Marissa has served as the college’s grievance counselor and chaired the Faculty Student Disciplinary Committee. She has also taught business law courses as an adjunct clinical professor at New York University, Stern School of Business. She currently serves on the National Association of Legal Assistants Certifying Board Exam Development Commission Essay Grading Committees.

Marissa has written articles for the Legal Educator, a publication of the American Association of Paralegal Educators, and has spoken at several New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) and New Jersey State Bar Association CLEs, and national and local conferences Paralegal Educators conferences on such topics as Legal Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, and Forensic Science & Law. Her article on biometrics and facial recognition technology appeared on the cover of the May/June 2023 NYSBA Journal.

Marissa serves as a judge for the We the People High School Competitions, Mock Trial NYC High School Tournaments, the ABA Law Student Division, National Appellate Advocacy Competitions, the ABA Dispute Resolution/Mediation Competitions, and Cardozo Law School Monrad G. Paulsen Moot Court Competitions, International Moot Court Honor Society, Oxford Competitions, BMI Entertainment and Media Moot and the Monroe Price Media Law Moot Court Competitions.

She is a member of the NYSBA Task Force on Artificial Intelligence, the Vice Chair of the NYSBA, Committee on Technology and the Legal Profession, and a member of the NYSBA, Committee on Continuing Legal Education, NYSBA, Committee on Committees, and the ABA International Law Section, Privacy, Cybersecurity and Digital Rights Committee.

Session I – Baked-In Bias: Understanding the Practical and Legal Implications of Generative AI | 1:00pm – 2:00pm

• Review of the current state of this evolving technology
• Examples of benefits and risks in use of Generative AI
• Current state and federal laws and regulations governing Generative AI
• The potential future impacts of Generative AI on clients and the practice of law

Break | 2:00pm – 2:10pm

Session II – Ethical Considerations in AI Development and Deployment | 2:10pm – 3:10pm

• Exploration of ethical challenges in legal practice involving AI
• ABA Model Rules
  • Competence (Rule 1.1): Staying informed about AI tools and technologies
  • Confidentiality (Rule 1.6): Safeguarding client data in AI use
• Addressing AI bias and fairness
  • Rule 8.4 (Misconduct): Avoiding discrimination in AI-driven decisions
• Practical strategies for ethical AI use
  • Conducting ethical risk assessments
  • Ensuring transparency and accountability in AI deployments
  • Maintaining compliance with professional and legal standards