AI for Lawyers: Power, Pitfalls and Prompting

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming how professionals work, including lawyers. Yet many attorneys remain unsure what AI actually is, how it can be used in legal practice, and how to do so while complying with their professional responsibilities. This program provides a practical introduction to artificial intelligence designed for lawyers who want to understand the technology and begin using it responsibly.

The course begins with a plain-language explanation of what artificial intelligence is and how modern generative AI tools function. It then explores practical ways attorneys can use AI in their daily practice, including drafting assistance, research support, and idea generation.

The program also addresses the ethical considerations implicated by AI use under applicable rules of professional conduct. Participants will examine duties such as competence, confidentiality, supervision, and candor to the tribunal. The course discusses how these obligations apply when lawyers rely on AI tools as part of their work.

Participants will also review common risks associated with AI tools, including inaccurate outputs, fabricated citations, and potential disclosure of confidential information. The session discusses practical steps attorneys can take to mitigate these risks and use AI tools in a manner consistent with their ethical obligations.

Finally, the program introduces practical prompting techniques that help lawyers obtain more reliable and useful results from AI systems. The session concludes with time for questions and discussion about real-world issues attorneys encounter when integrating AI into their practice.

Learning Objectives:

1. Explain the basic concepts behind artificial intelligence and generative AI and understand how these technologies function in a legal context
2. Identify practical ways AI tools can support legal work, including drafting assistance, research support, and brainstorming
3. Recognize the ethical duties implicated by the use of AI tools, including duties of competence, confidentiality, supervision, and candor under applicable rules of professional conduct
4. Evaluate common risks associated with AI use, including inaccurate outputs, hallucinated legal authorities, and potential disclosure of confidential information
5. Apply strategies to mitigate ethical and practical risks when incorporating AI tools into legal workflows
6. Develop effective prompts to improve the reliability and usefulness of AI-generated outputs while maintaining compliance with professional responsibility obligations