Professional responsibility
ABA Formal Opinion 512
ABA Formal Opinion 512 applies existing professional duties to generative AI. The lawyer remains responsible for the work.
Generative Artificial Intelligence Tools01
Model Rule 1.1 · pp. 2–5
Understand the tool
Lawyers need a reasonable understanding of the particular tool’s capabilities and limitations. Source
02
Model Rule 1.6 · pp. 6–7
Protect client information
Evaluate access, retention, and disclosure risks. The opinion requires informed consent before entering representation information into self-learning tools that risk disclosing it. Source
03
Model Rule 1.4 · pp. 8–9
Communicate with the client
Disclosure depends on the circumstances, including client instructions and significant decisions affected by AI. Source
04
Model Rules 3.1, 3.3, 8.4(c) · pp. 9–10
Verify before relying
Review output for accuracy and completeness. AI does not excuse false statements to a tribunal. Source
05
Model Rules 5.1, 5.3 · pp. 10–11
Supervise its use
Firm policies, training, and oversight must address staff use and outside providers. Source
06
Model Rule 1.5 · pp. 11–14
Bill for actual work
Hourly charges reflect actual time, including review. All fees remain subject to reasonableness. Routine tool training is not billable to clients. Source