Legal Ethics in the Age of AI: Billing, Efficiency, and Technology Compliance

As technology continues to transform legal practice, attorneys  must be mindful of the ethical implications of how they work. This program explores how Model Rule 1.5, particularly Comment 5, requires lawyers to avoid wasteful billing practices, and how failure to adopt efficiency-enhancing technology like artificial intelligence may soon be viewed as an ethical lapse. Through practical examples and forward-looking insights, attendees will learn how to integrate AI tools into their legal workflows responsibly and ethically. The course also addresses alternative billing models such as flat fees and subscriptions, offering strategies for aligning legal service delivery with both client expectations and professional obligations.

Learning Objectives: 

1. Explain the ethical obligations lawyers have under Model Rule 1.1 (competence) and Model Rule 1.5 (reasonable fees) as they relate to technology use in legal practice
2. Evaluate how inefficient workflows and outdated billing practices may conflict with professional responsibility rules
3. Identify appropriate uses of generative AI and other legal technologies that improve efficiency while maintaining ethical compliance
4. Compare traditional hourly billing models with alternative approaches, such as flat fees and subscription models, in light of ethical guidance
5. Implement practical strategies for adopting technology in ways that enhance client service, accuracy, and compliance with evolving standards of practice