Understanding the AI Legal Landscape for Lawyers: Rules, case law, security, and best practices

Tom O’Connor | The Gulf Coast Legal Technology Center

Tom O’Connor is a nationally known consultant, speaker, and writer in the field of legal technology. A New England native who graduated from The Johns Hopkins University in 1972 with a BA in Political Science, he later earned a J.D. at an evening law school program while working as a consultant during the day.

That consulting experience is diverse and includes tobacco litigation, the BP oil spill litigation and several opioid MDL matters as well as pro bono work with the Office of the Federal Public Defender.

A frequent lecturer about legal technology, Tom also teaches CLE courses nationwide and is a prolific writer. He has several blogs which cover current legal technology topics and has written hundreds of articles including the 2006 award-winning article, “In Katrina’s Wake”, about recovery efforts in the legal community of post-Katrina New Orleans in which he participated.

Tom has also authored three books on legal technology, most recently the self-published EDiscovery for the Rest of Us. In addition, hehosts the Ediscovery Channel on YouTube where he interviews well-known figures in the legal technology space. Tom currently resides down the Mississippi down in New Orleans as does his son Seamus, a litigation support analyst with Platinum Intelligent Data Solutions. They both still mourn the death of legal marketing maven Gayle O’Connor, a wonderful wife and partner to Tom as well as a loving mother to Seamus.

Adam Gutbezahl | Ruberto, Israel & Weiner, P.C

Adam Gutbezahl is an attorney at the Boston-based law firm Ruberto, Israel & Weiner, P.C. and is a member of the firm’s litigation department and commercial real estate and employment law groups. Adam represents both individuals and businesses in a wide variety of matters, including complex commercial, employment, land use, and real-estate disputes. With his client-driven focus, Adam understands how to translate the concerns of his clients into practical solutions that make sense for their individualized needs. In addition to handling contentious, high-stakes cases in Massachusetts state and federal courts, Adam counsels his clients on the importance of developing best practices to avoid litigation and mitigate risks.

Adam is a recognized thought leader on the legal implications of Generative Artificial Intelligence (“Gen AI”). He has been a featured speaker for numerous associations and organizations on the topic of Gen AI, including its legal and practical effects on the workplace and in the legal profession and has written extensively on the topic. Adam is a member of multiple steering committees concerning Gen AI, including the Privacy, Security & Digital Law Group within the Boston Bar Association and the Artificial Intelligence Task Force for the Massachusetts Real Estate Bar Association.

Adam is a member of multiple organizations, has held, and continues to hold elected positions. He is also a member of the Wayland Trust Fund Commission, on which he has served since 2019, as well as a former member of the Wayland Select Board, on which he served from May 2021 through May 2024. The New England Real Estate Journal identified Adam in its 2024 Ones to Watch – Rising Stars list. He was also selected to participate in the Boston’s Future Leaders Program in 2024, which is a 10-month leadership initiative by the Harvard Business School and the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce. Adam received his J.D., cum laude, from George Washington University Law School, where he was a member of the Moot Court Board and an executive editor of The George Washington Law Review.

Session I – Understanding AI For Law Firms | 1:00pm – 2:00pm

• AI Definitions
• AI Uses in the Legal Profession
• Large Language Models
• Security Concerns

Break | 2:00pm – 2:10pm

Session II – Understanding the AI Legal Landscape for Lawyers | 2:10pm – 3:10pm

• Rules Governing the Use of AI In the Legal Practice
• Case Law Addressing the Use of AI By Attorneys
• Best Practices in Governing AI Usage