Sui Generis--a New York law blog

AI at Your Fingertips: The Best ChatGPT Add-ons and Extensions for Lawyers

Here is a recent Daily Record column. My past Daily Record articles can be accessed here.

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AI at Your Fingertips: The Best ChatGPT Add-ons and Extensions for Lawyers

The technology landscape is evolving rapidly, and turning a blind eye is no longer an option for lawyers seeking to stay competitive. AI-based technologies are on the cusp of revolutionary change, as evidenced by the release of GPT-4 in mid-March. This groundbreaking advancement in AI technology is significant because it enables unparalleled natural language understanding, generation, and context awareness.

In previous articles, I explained the significance of generative AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Bing chat, which are advanced AI language models designed to streamline communication, research, and information processing. The rapid advancements in these AI technologies have significantly enhanced the potential for innovative applications in the legal industry and offer boundless possibilities for lawyers seeking to increase efficiency and improve decision-making.

The release of GPT-4 is just the beginning. As this technology is incorporated into Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and legal-specific applications, the impact of generative AI will increase exponentially. 

In the meantime, there are browser extensions and other types of add-ons that make it easier than ever to incorporate ChatGPT capabilities into your daily workflows. 

Currently, the two most popular AI chatbots are ChatGPT and Bing Chat. ChatGPT is available as a standalone chatbot, and a free version is available. After test-driving it, you may want to sign up for ChatGPT Plus, which costs $20/month and offers consistent uptime and prioritized access to new features, including access to GPT4. To access Bing’s chatbot, you’ll need to sign up for the waiting list, and once you’re granted access, it is available here.

Below you’ll find the ChatGPT add-ons and browser extensions that I’ve found to be the most beneficial thus far. Many others are available, so no matter your needs, you’re sure to find an add-on that meets them in your browser’s app store.

• Bing Chat for All Browsers: In theory, Bing chat can only be accessed using Microsoft’s Edge browser. This browser extension provides access via a link in your toolbar. You can also access it by creating a bookmark to the link provided above.
• ChatGPT for Gmail: This browser extension adds ChatGPT to Gmail, so that when you open an email, it will scan the email and if you activate it, draft a suggested reply email. 
• ChatGPT Prompt Genius: With this extension, you’ll have access to ChatGPT prompts created by other users. This saves time and allows you to take advantage of curated requests designed to elicit specific responses, such as language translation or document editing.
• WebchatGPT: Currently, ChatGPT isn’t connected to the web, and its database is limited to data up to 2021 only. Webchat GPT is a handy addon that allows you to augment ChatGPT results with real-time web results directly in the ChatGPT interface. You can toggle the web results on or off, giving you more flexibility when researching an issue or seeking information.
• Voice control for ChatGPT: This extension allows you to have verbal conversations with ChatGPT. Simply toggle the microphone on and speak your requests. ChatGPT will then respond by reading aloud the output, but you have the option of silencing the response.

Embracing technology and adapting to change is essential for staying competitive and delivering the best results for your clients. If you’re ready to dive into the potential that ChatGPT offers, these add-ons and browser extensions are great ways to streamline your workflow. By incorporating these innovative tools into your daily routine, you can effectively harness the power of generative AI technology to the benefit of your practice and your clients

Nicole Black is a Rochester, New York attorney, author, journalist, and the head of SME and External Education at MyCase  law practice management software, an AffiniPay company. She is the author of the ABA book Cloud Computing for Lawyers, co-authors the ABA book Social Media for Lawyers: the Next Frontier, and co-authors Criminal Law in New York, a Thomson Reuters treatise. She writes legal technology columns for Above the Law and ABA Journal and speaks regularly at conferences regarding the intersection of law and technology. You can follow her on Twitter at @nikiblack or email her at [email protected]

10 Ways Lawyers Can Unlock the Potential of ChatGPT

Here is a recent Daily Record column. My past Daily Record articles can be accessed here.

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10 Ways Lawyers Can Unlock the Potential of ChatGPT

You’ve probably seen many recent headlines about ChatGPT, an AI-powered chatbot that generates human-like responses to questions. In my last article, I explained what it is and why it matters to lawyers. In this article, I’ll explore ten ways legal professionals can use ChatGPT in their daily workflow, including for legal research, writing, client service, and more.

For the use cases listed below, you can query either ChatGPT or, if you have access to it, Bing’s new ChatGPT tool . While both chatbots provide helpful answers, Bing’s database is more current. Bing’s results also include citations that allow you to view the website from which the information was obtained.

When using ChatGPT, it’s essential that you already have a sufficient knowledge base regarding the topics you’re enquiring about. With AI chatbots, the goal is to save time and hone in on key issues. These tools cannot replace lawyers or legal expertise; it’s up to you to analyze the responses and revise them accordingly so that they are ultimately accurate and meet your needs.

Remember that no matter the query, you’ll obtain the best results by ensuring that your question is as detailed as possible. Provide sufficient context regarding your role in the scenario, any necessary jurisdictional information, and the desired end product. Then carefully review the output and cross-check it with reliable sources if needed. 

Since the ethical issues presented by this technology haven’t been fully vetted at this early stage, it’s advisable to keep client confidentiality in mind and craft queries that don’t disclose any identifiable client information that may be confidential.

That said, let’s dive in and explore ways that legal professionals can use ChatGPT technology. Below I list ten ways to use ChatGPT as part of your preliminary workflow process across a variety of situations, including legal research, document drafting, trial preparation, law firm management, and more. I tested each concept before including it in this article and found the output provided to be helpful and a great starting point.

1. Summarize a legal concept: You can replace a legal dictionary by requesting that “res ipsa loquitor” or “sui generis” be defined and explained. You can ask for a general definition or limit it to your jurisdiction’s interpretation. You’ll find that the response will be a great starting point for your research.
2. Summarize a case: Provide a case citation and request a summary. The response will consist of a short description of the facts, the issues presented, the court’s ruling, and possibly the significance of the decision.
3. Summarize transcripts: Enter text from a transcript and request a summary. There is a limit to the number of characters you can enter in a single query, so you may have to enter a few pages at a time. 
4. Draft sample agreements like NDAs: ChatGPT will often provide a draft that is a good starting point from which you can craft a robust document.
5. Create questions for direct or cross-examination: Specify the issues unique to your case and use the resulting questions as food for thought when crafting your direct or cross-examination of a witness.
6. Voir dire: Your query should identify the type of case and an issue you’d like to explore and then craft your voir dire using the resulting output.
7. Draft client intake forms: Request that forms be created for specific types of cases, and modify the results to suit your needs.
8. Draft a retainer agreement: Identify key clauses and concepts you’d like included and update the document provided to include information specific to your firm and the client’s case.
9. Letters to clients: Draft opening and closing letters for different cases and then create templates that can be easily replicated across matters.
10. Letters to opposing counsel: Among others, you can request demand or cease and desist letters. The chatbot will provide a working draft that can serve as the basis for a more detailed request specific to your case.

As you can see, ChatGPT has the potential to streamline and improve the quality of your work. Certainly, it doesn’t replace your professional expertise and judgment. Instead, it provides a complementary tool that helps you work more efficiently and effectively. 

Generative AI tools like ChatGPT are the future, and I fully expect that they’ll rapidly become part of the daily workflow of lawyers. You’ll soon find that even if you’re not using this technology, there’s a good chance that your opponents will.

Nicole Black is a Rochester, New York attorney, author, journalist, and the head of SME and External Education at MyCase  law practice management software, an AffiniPay company. She is the author of the ABA book Cloud Computing for Lawyers, co-authors the ABA book Social Media for Lawyers: the Next Frontier, and co-authors Criminal Law in New York, a Thomson Reuters treatise. She writes legal technology columns for Above the Law and ABA Journal and speaks regularly at conferences regarding the intersection of law and technology. You can follow her on Twitter at @nikiblack or email her at [email protected]