By: Gregg Zeff
On: June 27, 2025
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the way in which we work and the manner in which we think in nearly every profession. The integration of AI in law has created quite a conundrum. With its ability to present valuable assistance in document reviews and legal research, it is crucial that AI shouldn’t be trusted for legal advice. According to IBM, AI is constructed from machine learning, and it utilizes complex algorithms and data to simulate human intelligence. Through this artificial thinking, AI can analyze vast quantities of data, identify patterns, and ultimately make decisions based on those particular patterns. The allure of providing instantaneous results has erroneously led some people to believe that AI can provide cheap legal advice.
The pitfall of AI in law is that it lacks ethical reasoning, empathy, or the ability to adapt to unprecedented situations or negotiations. The consequences for using AI as a source of legal advice can be devastating. In law, there is no substitute for human legal expertise.
The Limitations of AI in Legal Contexts
Artificial intelligence has significant limitations when applied to ascertain legal expertise. While AI has proven itself as an efficient means to augment certain tasks in the practice of law, it can not provide the essential elements of effective legal practice. AI cannot replicate the ethical reasoning, strategic thinking, critical judgments, and the human connection that is inherent in the practice of law. Such limitations are evident in:
- The struggle to interpret the nuances and ambiguity of law.
- The connection of emotional intelligence or empathy.
- The ability to grasp the subtleties and complexities of individual cases or unprecedented situations.
- The presentation or generation of false information and fictitious legal precedents.
- The perpetuation of bias found in historical data as AI is only as unbiased as the data it is trained on.
There is no substitute for legal advice from a qualified attorney. In the true practice of law, AI cannot be held responsible for legal advice or representation.
The Ethical Implications of AI in Legal Practice
In the practice of law, ethics are vital. Lawyers are held to the highest ethical standards to protect their clients’ information, confidentiality, and best interests. These ethical issues raised by the use of AI include:
- Accessibility to a client’s data has raised great speculation to the security and privacy protocols provided by AI.
- Errors incurred by the improper application of AI in the legal profession creates a myriad of complex challenges that are yet to be fully understood.
A rise in the unauthorized practice of law which is defined as legal advice given by an individual without proper licensure as an attorney.
The misuse of AI in the legal profession is exposing major ethical concerns. As AI is rapidly integrating its way into nearly all professions, the consequences and ramifications of its misuse are yet to be fully recognized.
Real-Life Case Study of an AI lawyer
The application of AI in the courtroom has been frequently met with negative results. In a recent AI lawyer case reported by Jess Weatherbed of The Verge, Jerome Dewald was reprimanded by the court for using AI to generate an avatar to handle his oral argument. Upon learning that Dewald generated and presented his argument from artificial intelligence, Justice Sallie Manzanet-Daniels retorted, “It would have been nice to know that when you made your application. You did not tell me that, sir, I don’t appreciate being misled.” The application of AI in Dewald’s case led to a direct berating from the judge.
In Weatherbed’s article, the author also references two other recent cases that were met with disastrous results for using AI as legal advice. The first of the failed uses of AI in legal applications was in 2023 when two lawyers attempted to submit legal research generated by ChatGPT that was found to be false. The most AI legal incident recently occurred in February when DoNotPay was ordered to pay $193,000 for settlement to the federal Trade Commission. The robot lawyer company claimed its AI legal representation was as effective as a human lawyer. Lacking evidence, the company suffered a devastating ruling.
The Importance of Consulting Qualified Attorneys
There is no substitute for the practical experience and expertise an attorney can bring to your case. Regardless of efficiency at which AI can deliver you information and data, only a human attorney can build the legal strategies necessary to best represent you and your interests. AI cannot replicate, nor process, the nuances of your particular case. Enlisting the services of a licensed professional attorney will ensure that you and your case will receive the utmost care and compassion. Rest assured, human lawyers are bound by highest ethical standards. For the most secure confidentiality and client protection, consulting a licensed, qualified attorney can assure your case will be handled with professionalism.
The Bottom Line: Trust Experienced Attorneys, Not AI
Utilizing AI for legal advice is a risky and unwise choice. Although AI can appear to be a cost effective and quick solution, it is significantly limited in how it can ultimately assist you and your case. If you are seeking legal advice, contact the experienced attorneys at Zeff Law Firm today for a free consultation and experience how real attorneys can professionally advise and represent you.