Generative AI in the Legal Profession: Standing court rules on AI use, and ethics opinions

Troy Doucet, Esq.
Tom Martin
David Munkittrick
Kelly Landers Hawthorne
Troy Doucet, Esq. | Founder, AI.Law
Tom Martin | Law Droid
David Munkittrick | Proskauer Rose
Kelly Landers Hawthorne | Proskauer Rose

On-Demand: October 23, 2024

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3 hour CLE
Tuition: $245.00
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Program Summary

Session I - From Terminator to Teammate: Navigating AI’s role in the modern legal practice - Troy Doucet and Tom Martin

In just two short years, AI has evolved from a toddler to a teenager, profoundly impacting industries, including law. With a quick dive into the background of AI and what’s happening now, even those terrible at math can geek out over the fascinating process behind training AI’s “brain.” But in the courtroom, avoiding AI-related missteps is critical, especially when considering ethical standards like those from Swartz, the ABA, and state rules. While some lawyers might prefer digging a ditch with a hand shovel rather than embracing new tech, practical AI tools and software options are transforming legal practice. Just like lawyers once feared email, AI's future—whether it becomes a Terminator-like threat or a collaborator—raises essential questions about when Skynet will “come online” and how the legal field can harness it responsibly.

Key topics to be discussed:

  • Toddler to teenager in 2 years
    • Background on AI & what’s happening now
  • Totally geeking out, but terrible at math?
    • Inside the AI training process and its “brain”
  • Helpful tips to avoid embarrassing yourself in court
    • Swartz, ethics & ABA and state rules
  • No, I’d rather dig that ditch myself with a hand shovel and bad back
    • Practical AI usage & current tools
  • Remember when lawyers were afraid of email?
    • Prompting, coding, and software options
  • When can we expect Skynet to come online?
    • Terminator, oracle, or collaborator & the future of AI

Session II - AI In the Courtroom: Practical guidance on the use, rules, and risks of AI - David Munkittrick and Kelly Landers Hawthorne

AI can be a powerful tool, but we have all heard the stories of briefs filled with cases that don’t exist and other AI-driven blunders. Can AI be used in the courtroom? How? Courts, bar associations, and ethics committees have begun to weigh in with rules and guidance on the use of AI. This session will discuss the implications and guardrails for the use of AI in the courtroom, and how it can enhance a litigator’s practice.

Key topics to be discussed:

  • Key AI concepts and terminology
  • Standing court rules on AI use
  • Ethics opinions on AI use
  • Risks of AI use and how to avoid them

This course is co-sponsored with myLawCLE.

Closed-captioning available

Speakers

Troy Doucet_FedBarTroy Doucet, Esq. | Founder, AI.Law

Troy is the founder of www.ai.law, a software company that focuses on providing litigators with AI-driven document drafting to save them time and improve their efficiency. Troy is an AV Preeminent-rated litigation attorney whose legal forward-thinking has helped him establish multiple federal and state appellate cases that push the development of the law. His focus has been in the area of consumer, real estate, and lending through his litigation boutique firm, Doucet.Law, located in Columbus, Ohio. He now brings his experience and legal creativity to AI as it transforms the industry.

Troy regularly speaks in the area of consumer law and has published two books focused on litigation. He holds a J.D. from Capital University Law School, magna cum laude, and a B.A. in Economics from The Ohio State University.

 

Tom Martin_FedBarTom Martin | Law Droid

Tom Martin is a visionary legal AI advocate, coder, philosopher, lawyer, author, and sought-after speaker. As the CEO and founder of LawDroid, a pioneering Generative AI Legal Technology company and co-founder of the American Legal Technology Awards, Tom is at the forefront of transforming the legal industry. Recognized as an ABA Legal Rebel and Fastcase 50 Honoree, Tom is a thought leader in the legal technology space. He has captivated audiences as a speaker at renowned events such as ABA TechShow, LegalWeek, ILTACON, Clio Con, and Legal Innovators. His insightful writing has been featured in prominent publications, including the ABA’s Law Practice Today, Law Technology Today, and GP Solo Magazine.

Tom has also been a guest on popular podcasts like Legal Rebels, Un-Billable Hour, Lawyerist, the Digital Edge, and New Solo. With a passion for education, Tom hosts the weekly newsletter and podcast “LawDroid Manifesto,” where he explores the intersection of AI and the law. Tom also serves as a mentor at the Yale Tsai Center for Innovative Thinking and ATJ Tech Fellows, giving back to the next generation of legal innovators. He holds degrees from Yale University and UCLA School of Law. Tom is also a proud father to two amazing daughters and lives in Vancouver, Canada.

 

David Munkittrick_FedBarDavid Munkittrick | Proskauer Rose

David Munkittrick is a litigator and trial attorney. His practice focuses on complex and large scale antitrust, copyright and entertainment matters in all forms of dispute resolution and litigation, from complaint through appeal. David advises music, publishing, medical device, sports, and technology clients in navigating complex copyright issues and compliance.

He has represented some of the most recognized names in entertainment, including Sony Music Entertainment, Lady Gaga, U2, Madonna, Daft Punk, RCA Records, BMG Music Publishing, Live Nation, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, Universal Music Group and Warner/Chappell.

 

Kelly Landers Hawthorne_FedBarKelly Landers Hawthorne | Proskauer Rose

Kelly Landers Hawthorne is an associate in the Litigation Department and a member of the Antitrust and Mass Torts &amp, Product Liability Groups. She represents clients in litigations and due diligence across a range of industries, including consumer products, life sciences, healthcare, education, hospitality, sports and entertainment. Kelly also maintains a diverse pro bono practice.

She received Proskauer’s Golden Gavel Award for excellence in pro bono work in 2019. She is a frequent contributor to Proskauer’s Minding Your Business blog, where she authors articles related to price gouging issues. Kelly is also a member of the Proskauer Women’s Alliance Steering Committee, where she serves on subcommittees focused on highlighting and providing professional development opportunities for women at the firm. Prior to her legal career, Kelly was a Teach For America corps member and taught middle school in Washington, DC. While at Columbia Law School, Kelly served as an article’s editor of the Columbia Journal of Law & the Arts and interned for the Honorable Sandra Townes of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York.

Agenda

Session I – From Terminator to Teammate: Navigating AI’s role in the modern legal practice | 1:00pm – 3:10pm

  • Toddler to teenager in 2 years
    • Background on AI & what’s happening now
  • Totally geeking out, but terrible at math?
    • Inside the AI training process and its “brain”
  • Helpful tips to avoid embarrassing yourself in court
    • Swartz, ethics & ABA and state rules

Break | 2:00pm – 2:10pm

  • No, I’d rather dig that ditch myself with a hand shovel and bad back
    • Practical AI usage & current tools
  • Remember when lawyers were afraid of email?
    • Prompting, coding, and software options
  • When can we expect Skynet to come online?
    • Terminator, oracle, or collaborator & the future of AI

Break | 3:10pm – 3:20pm

Session II – AI In the Courtroom: Practical guidance on the use, rules, and risks of AI | 3:20pm – 4:20pm

  • Key AI concepts and terminology
  • Standing court rules on AI use
  • Ethics opinions on AI use
  • Risks of AI use and how to avoid them
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