The ABA recently reported on an artificial intelligence program that is designed to automatically write the first draft of a legal memorandum or brief.
The goal is to assist attorneys in getting started with their first draft and reducing the amount of time they spend to create a finished product.
The program, Compose, was launched by Casetext, to provide a variety of writing options. After selecting the type of document desired and the jurisdiction, Compose creates a list of arguments from which an attorney may select.. Compose also uses Casetext, a legal research company, to provide attorneys the cases that Compose suggests will support the suggested arguments.
Jake Heller, the CEO of Casetext explains that Compose should drastically reduce the amount of time write a brief. He indicated that Compose allowed him to write a 20 page motion in less than half-an-hour, much less time than it would have taken without an AI assistant.
While using artificial intelligence, attorneys should be mindful of their ethical requirements. The rules that apply to outsourcing generally apply to artificial intelligence. Thus, along with the general requirements of competence anddiligence, lawyers should treat briefs created by artificial intelligence as products from non-lawyers. ABA Model Rule 5.3 requires lawyers to supervise the work of nonlawyers and ultimately be responsible for results. As a result, Compose can be used to create a first-draft, but a lawyer should always review the work product for him or herself.
As artificial intelligence becomes more prominent, it will be interesting to see how attorneys use the new technology and how ethics advisory committees respond.
To read the ABA article, click here.
