AI in the Small Law Firm – The Need for a Formal Written PolicyBy Edward J. Jarot, Jr. & William D. LohrmanMarch 2025Carefully drafted policies are especially critical in the setting of a small firm, where the attorney is constantly torn between performing legal services while also balancing the legal and ethical limitations and pitfalls. For all the power that AI offers, small firms are strongly encouraged to develop and refine an express policy for the use of chatbots, generative AI, and the other AI tools currently available, along with those that will be created in the immediate future. This article contains a sample AI policy.
Allerton Conference 2025: Exploring the Future of Law with Artificial IntelligenceBy Mallory P. SanzeriMarch 2025The Illinois State Bar Association’s biennial Allerton Conference is just around the corner, and this year’s theme is one that every legal professional should have on their radar: "Generative Artificial Intelligence – Fact or Fiction: Transforming the Legal Practice." Held from April 2-4, 2025, at the I Hotel & Conference Center in Champaign, IL. Co-hosted by the ISBA Civil Practice and Procedure Section and the ISBA Standing Committee on Artificial Intelligence and the Practice of Law, and sponsored by ISBA Mutual Insurance Company, the conference will feature leading legal scholars, judges, and technology experts discussing the opportunities and challenges AI presents for attorneys.
Be Reasonable, People! AI’s Impact on Legal FeesBy Mark C. PalmerJanuary 2025The author explores the ethical implications of the use of generative AI tools in client billing and considers ethics statements from other bodies and jurisdictions.
Become an Illinois Bar Foundation ChampionBy Jessica R. DurkinJanuary 2025At least twice a year at ISBA Annual and Midyear Meetings, we are pitched by colleagues and the Illinois Bar Foundation to become a “Champion.” But what is a Champion really, and what’s in it for us?
Crafting Influence: The Role of Language and AI in Legal AdvocacyBy Mark C. PalmerMarch 2025A good lawyer also knows that words which may work wonderfully before a jury could backfire in a brief as inappropriate exaggeration or inflammatory and emotional. As lawyers, we must know our audience. Just how powerful are words in shaping perception and future action? Let us turn to quantum theory to better understand their impact.
Deepfakes in the Courtroom: Problems and SolutionsBy George BellasMarch 2025“Deepfakes” are altered or completely fabricated AI-generated images, audio, or video, that are also extremely realistic, making them difficult to discern from reality. In a sense, they’re AI’s version of photoshopping. Lawyers need to educate themselves and their firms on what deepfakes are and how to spot them, develop a healthy skepticism of content they encounter, and question its source. Take nothing at face value, and closely scrutinize details of that content to look for anything inconsistent with reality, such as people with more or less than five fingers.
From the Bench: AI in the CourtsBy Hon. Michael J. ChmielJanuary 2025A judicial perspective on the use of generative AI in legal work product before the bench accompanied by the 22nd Circuit Standing Order.
How to Maintain the Ethical Use of AI in Personal Injury MattersBy Michael McCreadyMarch 2025Ethical concerns are rightly of primary concern for attorneys using AI tools in their practice. Key among them are data privacy, algorithmic bias, and client confidentiality. Best practices are essential to navigating these challenges.
LAWPAC Needs You!January 2025The Illinois Lawyers’ Political Action Committee (LAWPAC) needs your help to fulfill its mission to support the legislative goals of the ISBA and Illinois’ legal community.
Letter from the EditorBy James E. CooganMarch 2025An introduction to the issue from the editor.
Letter from the EditorBy James E. CooganJanuary 2025An introduction to the inaugural issue of The Prompt.
