Articles Tagged with generative AI in Courts

Two recent opinion columns published on Justia Verdict – Legal Analysis and Commentary from Justia examine the legal, political, and moral implications of the continuing disclosures surrounding the Jeffrey Epstein investigations. Written by Professor Marci A. Hamilton of the University of Pennsylvania and founder of CHILD USA, the essays present a forceful argument that accountability for systemic abuse requires sustained legal pressure and public transparency. The views expressed are those of the author and do not represent the official position of Justia.

1. “The Three Avenues to Justice in the Epstein Cases” (Feb. 24, 2026)

In The Three Avenues to Justice in the Epstein Cases, Professor Hamilton argues that meaningful accountability is likely to emerge through three principal legal pathways rather than through federal prosecutorial initiative alone.

A recent practitioner commentary offers a confident assessment of the current state of large language models (LLMs) in legal practice, arguing that the primary barriers to adoption are no longer questions of intelligence or reliability but rather issues of infrastructure and workflow integration. Writing from the perspective of a lawyer who uses advanced models daily, the author contends that modern systems have already reached a level of practical competence sufficient for much of routine legal work, and that the profession’s hesitation reflects outdated assumptions about hallucinations and model limitations.

Central to the argument is the claim that hallucinations,  once the dominant concern surrounding generative AI,  have largely receded as a meaningful obstacle. According to the author’s experience, newer models rarely produce fabricated information, and overall error rates compare favorably with those of competent junior associates. This view reflects a broader shift in perception: rather than treating LLMs as experimental tools requiring constant skepticism, the author frames them as increasingly dependable collaborators capable of supporting substantive legal tasks.

The post also challenges prevailing narratives about the intellectual difficulty of legal work. While acknowledging that certain cases demand deep expertise, the author suggests that the majority of legal tasks rely on skills such as careful reasoning, synthesis of precedent, structured writing, and research , areas where modern LLMs already excel. By reframing legal practice as process-driven rather than exclusively intellectually rarefied, the commentary positions AI as well aligned with the day-to-day realities of the profession.

From: ChatGPTis Eaing the World’s Substack, February 17, 2026

“Here’s the latest U.S. Map of Copyright Suits v. AI companies. Total = 81 copyright suits. We added the recently filed lawsuit Kleiner v. Adobe in the Northern District of California, another case using the ever-popular Shadow Library Strategy”

 

 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed numerous industries, and legal research is no exception. Emerging AI-powered tools have introduced new efficiencies in case law analysis, contract review, compliance monitoring, and legal document automation. Among these innovations, DeepSeek, an open-source large language model (LLM), has garnered attention for its potential to revolutionize legal research support systems.

DeepSeek offers advanced reasoning capabilities, text summarization, and document analysis functions that could significantly enhance legal workflows. Its open-source nature and adaptability set it apart from proprietary legal research platforms such as Westlaw Edge, LexisNexis, and Casetext’s CoCounsel. However, its viability as a legal research tool must be assessed not only in terms of its technological capabilities but also through the lens of accuracy, security, regulatory compliance, and ethical considerations.

From a Legaltech News posting by Benjamin Joyner , January 27, 2025.

“LexisNexis {has] announced the general availability of Protégé, a personalized artificial intelligence assistant for legal work. The release follows last August’s announcement of Protégé’s commercial preview, which allowed several dozen customers to beta test the product.”

“The new tool is now integrated into Lexis’ larger generative AI platform, Lexis+ AI, which includes a variety of other features such as a citation tool, and is expected to be rolled out across other Lexis products shortly. The initial launch of Protégé came shortly after Lexis’ purchase of Belgian contract drafting startup Henchman, which was announced last June and finalized the following month. The use of the startup’s document management system integrations enabled enhanced personalization by grounding output in the previous work product of the individual user and the firm.”

 

As artificial intelligence, including generative AI, becomes increasingly common in litigation, judges across the United States are working to establish guidelines to prevent its misuse in court. Since Judge Brantley Starr of the Northern District of Texas issued the first standing order on AI in legal filings in 2023, more than 200 state and federal judges have followed suit, creating new standing orders, local rules, and pretrial guidance to address AI use and its potential pitfalls. Just last month, the newly established Texas Business Court included a caution on AI in its inaugural Local Rules.

This rapidly shifting landscape reflects judges’ efforts to address both the opportunities and challenges that AI presents. However, no uniform approach has yet emerged, with judges charting individual courses in their courtrooms and some broadening their orders to cover evidentiary concerns amid growing fears of deep fake evidence. While some judges are exploring ways to integrate AI responsibly, their primary focus remains on curbing its misuse. Practitioners should stay informed, as courts continue to adapt to this evolving frontier.

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