communication from their lawyers if it is important to their situation. As for fees to be paid for legal services another model rule stated that expenses must be at a reasonable rate, where there needs to be a set of criteria in place to ensure that prices must not spiral out of control. The formal opinion notes that if for example a lawyer uses GAI to draft a pleading then he or she can charge the client for the time spent on this, and for any time necessary to review the resulting draft for accuracy and completeness. Yet a lawyer cannot charge a client for any time taken by learning how to use a GAI tool in the processing of the case. GAI advancements in law There have been a number of steps forward that GAI has made in legal practice in recent times. They include user-friendly interfaces that has made them more favoured by legal professionals, it’s a development that is allowing more influence from GAI in their working patterns. Also there has been several new releases on base AI models, where they have shown huge improvements in These include duties to supply competent legal representation, to ensure the protection of client information, establish client communication and to charge reasonable fees that are consistent with using time with GAI. Lawyers should be mindful of several model rules The 15-page opinion booklet outlined a host of model rules, for example surrounding competence a rule said that lawyers are obligated to provide competent representation to clients and requires they exercise the “legal knowledge, skill, thoroughness and preparation reasonably necessary for the representation.” While lawyers also need to understand the risks and benefits with technologies that are used to deliver legal services to clients. A further model rule over confidentiality, revealed that lawyers need to be aware of their duties to keep all information as part of their client representation under wraps. Other model rules have asked lawyers to extend similar protections to former and potential clients’ information looking to the future. Clients should also receive timely 32 LAWYER MONTHLY SEPTEMBER 2024 Generative AI in Law American Bar Association releases its view of the growing use of generative artificial intelligence in law. The American Bar Association (ABA) has published its first ever formal opinion of the use of generative artificial intelligence (GAI) in legal practice as its influence increases. Formal Opinion 512, which has been created by the ABA’s Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility, states that to ensure that all clients are protected then lawyers and law firms that are using GAI must “fully consider their applicable ethical obligations”. Read this article and much more like this, online at: www.lawyer-monthly.com By Peter Taberner
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy Mjk3Mzkz