Sui Generis--a New York law blog

NY Ethics Opinion Addresses Lawyer Imposter Accounts

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

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NY Ethics Opinion Addresses Lawyer Imposter Accounts

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery—or is it? What if the mimicry in question harms your professional reputation? Even worse, what if your reaction to it, or lack thereof, could negatively impact your license to practice law?

Recently, a New York immigration attorney grappled with those very questions and sought answers from the New York State Bar Association’s Committee on Professional Ethics in Ethics Opinion 1276 (online: https://nysba.org/ethics-opinion-1276-fake-social-media-accounts-offering-legal-services/).

In this case, the inquiring attorney had a very successful online presence. He posted videos to a popular social media platform explaining immigration information and procedural processes to the general public. Eventually, he discovered that someone had been using his name, photo, and immigration videos to create fake accounts on the same social networking site. 

Fearing that legal consumers would be scammed into contacting and possibly trying to hire the unknown imposter, he reported the accounts and requested their removal, to no avail. He also posted videos using his social media account warning his followers about the issue.

After doing so, he was concerned that he could be ethically required to take further action, so he submitted this query to the Committee: “Does a lawyer have any ethical obligations with regard to fake social media accounts in which scammers use the lawyer’s social media videos to attract clients?”

In reaching its determination, the Committee first considered whether any affirmative misconduct on the inquirer’s part had occurred. The Committee answered in the negative, explaining that instead, “he is the victim of misconduct by others (who may not even be lawyers), and those others – over Inquirer’s objection – are engaging in improper conduct. Far from assisting or inducing the scammers to engage in this conduct, Inquirer is trying to impede or stop the scammers and to warn the public about He therefore is not violating Rule 8.4(a)-(c).”

The next issue addressed was whether he acted unethically by failing to respond more assertively to the fake accounts. According to the Committee, three Rules of Professional Conduct require lawyers to report certain types of misconduct. Two of those rules (Rules 3.3(a)(3) and 3.3(b)) were deemed inapplicable since they require lawyers to report behavior occurring “before a tribunal” or “during a proceeding,” respectively. Because the conduct was occurring online and had nothing to do with a pending case, there was no obligation under the rules to report the conduct.

The Committee then examined the third situation outlined in Rule 8.3(a) and concluded that it, too, did not apply to the case at hand: “Rule 8.3(a) provides that a lawyer who “knows that another lawyer has committed a violation of the Rules of Professional Conduct that raises a substantial question as to that lawyer’s honesty, trustworthiness or fitness as a lawyer shall report such knowledge to a tribunal or other authority empowered to investigate or act upon such violation." This provision does not apply here because the Inquirer does not know whether any person creating fake social media accounts is a lawyer.

Based on its analysis, the Committee concluded that the inquiring attorney had no duty under the Rules to report or otherwise combat the fake accounts. 

While the fake accounts are undoubtedly frustrating, the good news is the lawyer doesn’t have to worry about any ethical fallout. The Committee made it clear—being impersonated online isn’t something the Rules of Professional Conduct require lawyers to address proactively.

Nicole Black is a Rochester, New York attorney, author, journalist, and Principal Legal Insight Strategist at MyCase, CASEpeer, Docketwise, and LawPay, practice management and payment processing tools for lawyers (AffiniPay companies). She is the nationally-recognized author of "Cloud Computing for Lawyers" (2012) and co-authors "Social Media for Lawyers: The Next Frontier" (2010), both published by the American Bar Association. She also co-authors "Criminal Law in New York," a Thomson Reuters treatise. She writes regular columns for Above the Law, ABA Journal, and The Daily Record, has authored hundreds of articles for other publications, and regularly speaks at conferences regarding the intersection of law and emerging technologies. She is an ABA Legal Rebel, and is listed on the Fastcase 50 and ABA LTRC Women in Legal Tech. She can be contacted at [email protected].

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Nicole Black is a Rochester, New York attorney, author, journalist, and Principal Legal Insight Strategist at MyCase, CASEpeer, Docketwise, and LawPay, practice management and payment processing tools for lawyers (AffiniPay companies). She is the nationally-recognized author of "Cloud Computing for Lawyers" (2012) and co-authors "Social Media for Lawyers: The Next Frontier" (2010), both published by the American Bar Association. She also co-authors "Criminal Law in New York," a Thomson Reuters treatise. She writes regular columns for Above the Law, ABA Journal, and The Daily Record, has authored hundreds of articles for other publications, and regularly speaks at conferences regarding the intersection of law and emerging technologies. She is an ABA Legal Rebel, and is listed on the Fastcase 50 and ABA LTRC Women in Legal Tech. She can be contacted at [email protected].

Closing the Justice Gap: How Courts Are Leveraging GenAI for Greater Accessibility

Closing the Justice Gap: How Courts Are Leveraging GenAI for Greater Accessibility

Last week, I wrote about the release of recent judicial guidance for judges and court personnel seeking to use generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) to assist with the administration of justice. The guidance provided a roadmap for the ethical implementation of GenAI into the judiciary's workflows. 

This week, let’s discuss another relevant use case for GenAI in the courts: expanding access to justice by making the court system more accessible.

For years, courts have grappled with high caseloads and limited resources. More recently, the number of self-represented litigants has increased due to reduced federal support for legal aid organizations. With this influx of pro se litigants comes an increased demand for legal and procedural information. In the past, court websites and directories provided some assistance but were often difficult to navigate. Obtaining relevant information about court processes continued to be challenging.

Enter GenAI, which has emerged as a powerful tool with the potential to help bridge the access-to-justice gap. One of the most notable benefits of GenAi when applied to a database of information, such as court documents and data, is that it provides a user-friendly interface in the form of a responsive, knowledgeable chatbot. What was once challenging to unearth becomes quick and easy to access.

These GenAI interfaces can make all the difference to our overloaded court systems. Once deployed, they simplify and streamline complex court instructions and processes, from translating complex legal language and providing easy access to templates and court forms to enhancing public understanding of the court system. 

With GenAI, courts can eliminate procedural barriers and provide much-needed information, reduce administrative burdens, and empower pro se individuals with the tools needed to navigate our judicial system. For courts willing to embrace change and take advantage of all these tools, the benefits can be significant.

A few courts have already deployed GenAI-powered chatbots. For example, Nevada courts recently introduced a generative AI-powered chatbot designed to deliver plain-language legal guidance in multiple languages. Developed by CiviLaw.Tech for the Nevada Supreme Court, this generative AI-powered chatbot provides clear, concise, and personalized responses to common legal questions, helping individuals understand their options and the procedural steps they need to take. 

Similarly, Lemma Legal recently developed Missouri Tenant Help, an online resource for Missouri tenants seeking legal support. The platform includes an intake screening tool that incorporates the advanced GenAI language processing of GPT-4. This approach helps users determine their eligibility for assistance before speaking with program staff. Adding genAI to the intake process has removed a key barrier for tenants needing legal help, allowing them to understand their options quickly and easily.

These early court adopters of GenAI are finding that, with careful oversight, generative AI can not only make legal resources more accessible but also improve the efficiency and effectiveness of courts as a whole. While challenges remain—especially around ethical implications, data privacy, and accuracy—GenAI interfaces present unique opportunities to democratize access to justice. 

As courts continue to experiment with and refine these tools, the hope is that legal services will become more readily available and tailored to the needs of all individuals, regardless of their background or resources. Will this actually happen, or is it a pie-in-the-sky pipe dream? I tend toward cynicism, but every effort counts and moves us one step closer to a more equitable and accessible judicial system. Only time will tell if GenAi will truly help bridge the access to justice gap.

Nicole Black is a Rochester, New York attorney, author, journalist, and Principal Legal Insight Strategist at MyCase, CASEpeer, Docketwise, and LawPay, practice management and payment processing tools for lawyers (AffiniPay companies). She is the nationally-recognized author of "Cloud Computing for Lawyers" (2012) and co-authors "Social Media for Lawyers: The Next Frontier" (2010), both published by the American Bar Association. She also co-authors "Criminal Law in New York," a Thomson Reuters treatise. She writes regular columns for Above the Law, ABA Journal, and The Daily Record, has authored hundreds of articles for other publications, and regularly speaks at conferences regarding the intersection of law and emerging technologies. She is an ABA Legal Rebel, and is listed on the Fastcase 50 and ABA LTRC Women in Legal Tech. She can be contacted at [email protected].

 

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

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Top 5 LinkedIn Tips Every Lawyer Should Know

When I started writing this column in 2007, I often covered social media use for lawyers. However, because my interest lies in emerging technologies, the focus of my articles necessarily shifted over time as new advancements arrived that had the potential to change the legal profession.

Even though social networking may be considered old news in the technology world, online interactions continue to have a noticeable impact on the practice of law. Some platforms have gained increasing relevance while others have declined. LinkedIn is a prime example of a social media site that has gained ground since the pandemic, transforming from what was essentially an online resume repository to an active, engaging online site.

Given its significant rise, an update seemed necessary. I have over 207,000 followers on LinkedIn, so I have experience with the site and lots of advice to share! To that end, below you’ll find my top 5 tips for lawyers seeking to increase their presence on LinkedIn.

First and foremost, determine your goals. If you don’t know what you’re trying to achieve by interacting on LinkedIn, then your efforts will be wasted. Are you trying to reach potential clients? Is your intent to expand your professional network and increase referrals from colleagues? Or are you seeking to stay on top of the latest industry news and trends? Whatever your goals are, identify them before diving in. They will necessarily impact your engagement on the site.

Next, ensure that you have created a robust LinkedIn profile. Your headline should concisely describe your role and value to both clients and the profession.The headline section of your profile should concisely describe what you do and the value you bring to your clients and the profession. The first few words of your headline will appear whenever you comment on someone else’s post so are very important. Only include the most relevant work history, and carefully consider whether you want the dates that you obtained your education degrees to appear on your profile. Your age and stage of life will necessarily impact your preferences. 

The third tip is to post with a regular cadence. Your posting frequency will depend on your goals and the amount of time you have available to focus on your LinkedIn presence. Whether you post once a week or every other day, make sure to stick to your plan. That way your followers will know when to expect to hear from you. The LinkedIn algorithm also frowns on erratic posting patterns, so make a plan and stick to it. You’ll reach more connections that way, leading to greater engagement and success.

Fourth, post thoughtfully. Share a mix of personal observations intermixed with professional updates. Avoid blasting your successes and triumphs into the ether in the absence of other updates that include your personal and insightful perspective on trends or news of interest to your followers. The algorithm favors early morning posts that include an image, so keep that in mind. Finally, post links to any news stories or other website links in the comments rather than in the post since LinkedIn prefers posts that don’t send users to other websites.

Last but not least, carefully curate your network. Follow people who interest you and conform to your goals, develop a community of like-minded individuals, and consistently engage with your network. Read the posts of others and like, comment, and share them, when appropriate. LinkedIn, like all social media sites, is about engagement, so engage with others rather than talking at them from your virtual podium.

LinkedIn is a very different site than it was before the pandemic. Its newfound levels of engagement from professionals worldwide have resulted in a dynamic community of professionals that should not be overlooked. So don’t rest on your laurels. Take advantage of the many advantages it offers by following the I shared above. By implementing these tips, you’ll be well-positioned to maximize your impact and networking potential on LinkedIn.

Nicole Black is a Rochester, New York attorney, author, journalist, and the Head of SME and External Education at MyCase legal practice management software and LawPaypayment processing, AffiniPay companies. She is the nationally-recognized author of "Cloud Computing for Lawyers" (2012) and co-authors "Social Media for Lawyers: The Next Frontier" (2010), both published by the American Bar Association. She also co-authors "Criminal Law in New York," a Thomson Reuters treatise. She writes regular columns for Above the Law, ABA Journal, and The Daily Record, has authored hundreds of articles for other publications, and regularly speaks at conferences regarding the intersection of law and emerging technologies. She is an ABA Legal Rebel, and is listed on the Fastcase 50 and ABA LTRC Women in Legal Tech. She can be contacted at [email protected].

 

New York Bar Association New AI Guidance: Part 1

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

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New York Bar Association New AI Guidance: Part 1

It’s been just over a year since OpenAI unleashed ChatGPT Plus powered by GPT-4 into the world, and things haven’t been the same since. From deepfake videos and sophisticated scams powered by generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools to lawyers making headlines for citing fake case citations obtained from GenAI requests, this technology is dramatically altering the way that lawyers - and swindlers - achieve their goals. 

Bar association ethics committees have been trying to keep up, with California, Florida, and New Jersey leading the way, having issued GenAI guidance for lawyers. Most recently, New York jumped into the fray on April 6, releasing the lengthy 91-page “Report and Recommendations of the New York State Bar Association Task Force on Artificial Intelligence.” 

This far-reaching report provides: 1) an in-depth examination of the evolution of AI and GenAI, 2) its risks and benefits, 3) how it impacts society and the practice of law, and 4) ethics guidelines and recommendations for lawyers who use these tools.

Today we’ll focus on broader issues addressed in the report that impact the legal profession and courts and will cover the legal ethics guidance in the next column.   

One reason for the report’s breadth is that it isn’t limited to the ethics issues presented by GenAI usage in the legal profession, and instead touches on the many other legal implications that arise when lawyers incorporate these tools into their daily workflows. According to the Committee, there are a number of notable issues attorneys should consider when utilizing ChatGPT and other similar generative AI tools. 

First, when choosing a provider, a thorough understanding of licensing information, the terms of use, and applicable privacy policies is required. Lawyers should also determine what happens to data input into a GenAI tool. Will the provider use that data to train or refine their AI model? Will the provider allow third parties to access that data to train or improve their AI model? Are data inputs protected and stored in an encrypted, closed environment that anonymizes queries and prevents third parties, including opponents and adversaries, from accessing them?

The Committee also addressed the data preservation implications triggered when legal professionals use GenAI to prepare a case for litigation. According to the Committee, “If the data that is inputted into the AI application is temporary/ephemeral, but also relevant and responsive to the litigation, parties have the duty to preserve this electronically stored information.”

Finally, another important topic included in the report was the impact of GenAI-created deepfake evidence and its impact on trials. The Committee acknowledged the challenge presented by synthetic evidence, explaining that “(d)eciding issues of relevance, reliability, admissibility and authenticity may still not prevent deepfake evidence from being presented in court and to a jury.”

According to the Committee, the solution to this problem — and to all issues presented by the impact of GenAI on the practice of law — is education. Lawyers, law students, judges, and regulators must take steps to ensure they fully understand this technology and how existing laws and regulations apply to it. 

Importantly, the Committee emphasized that this new technology is no different than the ones that preceded it, and thus “(m)any of the risks posed by AI are more sophisticated versions of problems that already exist and are already addressed by court rules, professional conduct rules and other law and regulations. Furthermore, many risks are mitigated through understanding the technology and how AI will utilize data input into the AI system.” 

In other words, embracing technology, not fearing it, is the only path forward. Adapting and learning about these tools is essential for maintaining efficacy and relevance in a technology-first world. Of course, GenAI adoption must be done ethically, and the Committee provided lots of helpful guidance in that regard. We’ll learn more about that in my next column when we explore the ethical implications outlined in the report, so stay tuned.

Nicole Black is a Rochester, New York attorney, author, journalist, and the Head of SME and External Education at MyCase legal practice management software and LawPay payment processing, AffiniPay companies. She is the nationally-recognized author of "Cloud Computing for Lawyers" (2012) and co-authors "Social Media for Lawyers: The Next Frontier" (2010), both published by the American Bar Association. She also co-authors "Criminal Law in New York," a Thomson Reuters treatise. She writes regular columns for Above the Law, ABA Journal, and The Daily Record, has authored hundreds of articles for other publications, and regularly speaks at conferences regarding the intersection of law and emerging technologies. She is an ABA Legal Rebel, and is listed on the Fastcase 50 and ABA LTRC Women in Legal Tech. She can be contacted at [email protected].

 

 

 

 

ABA Legal Profession Report Part 2: Demographics and Technology

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

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ABA Legal Profession Report Part 2: Demographics and Technology

If you ask a generative artificial intelligence (AI) tool to provide a picture of lawyers, judges, or law students you’ll likely find the image produced will include groups of white men, with very few women or people of color. This is because the data these tools rely on includes the entirety of the internet, which necessarily reflects the biases of our culture.

However, these AI biases do not capture the significant demographic shifts our profession has seen in recent decades. Caucasian men are no longer the majority in law schools, with more women and people of color graduating than ever before. 

Despite these advances, data from the 2023 ABA Legal Profession Report reveals that men still dominate law firms’ upper ranks, mirroring AI-generated stereotypes.

In addition to demographic data, the report also includes notable statistics on technology adoption in the legal industry. Like lawyer demographics, change is occurring, but not as quickly as desired. 

I'll discuss key findings below, which illustrate that shifts in demographics and technology signal a profession in flux.

According to the report, there were 1,331,290 active lawyers last year, marking a 5% increase over the past decade. A substantial number of those lawyers (27%) were found in two states: New York (188,341) and California (170,959). Only 39% of lawyers were women, up from 24% in 2013. The median age was 46 years.

During that same timeframe, the percentage of lawyers of color nearly doubled in the past decade, increasing from 11% to 21%. 

The makeup of judges was similar. Sitting federal judges were predominantly male (68%) and white (76%). In state high courts, only 20% percent of justices were people of color (compared to 40% of the general population), and 58% were men (compared to 50% of the population).

Turning to the technology data, adoption rates are slower in some cases. For example, smart assistants like Amazon’s Alexa are rarely used by lawyers, with only 9% reporting usage, and 3% doing so regularly. Similarly, only 8% of lawyers shared that they had a virtual law practice.

However, social media usage, once frowned upon, has become commonplace. The vast majority of law firms (89%) now have a social media presence. Not surprisingly, the most popular social media network was LinkedIn at 87% followed by Facebook at 62%. X, formerly Twitter, ranked low with 38% of firms using it, as did Martindale (37%).

Individual usage followed suit, with 82% of lawyers reporting they interacted on social media platforms for professional purposes. LinkedIn ranked first with 96% using it, followed by Facebook (31%) and X (20%).

Another notable statistic was that the majority of lawyers now use laptops as their primary computer. 56% reported using laptops in 2022, up from 53% in 2021. Windows was the preferred operating system with 83% of lawyers using it. A mere 6% of lawyers reported that they used Mac operating systems. 

Legal research was one of the main things lawyers used computers for, with lawyers spending 18% of their time conducting research. Westlaw/Westlaw Edge was the most popular platform (69%). Lexis/Lexis+ was next at 42%. The top free legal research sites were government websites (63%), FindLaw (56%), and Cornell’s Legal Information Institute (54%).

Finally, there is a clear smartphone brand preference in our profession, with 80% of lawyers sharing that they use iPhones. 

The 2023 ABA Legal Profession Report evinces a profession in the midst of significant change, both demographically and technologically. Despite the notable trend toward greater diversity in law schools, our profession nevertheless remains top-heavy with white men. 

On the technology front, the legal industry is embracing change at a predictably cautious pace, with increasing adoption of more familiar technologies like social media and mobile devices. 

These developments, while sometimes frustratingly slow-paced, signal a complex but progressive path toward a more inclusive and technologically adept legal profession. Hopefully, sooner rather than later, the pace of change will increase, resulting in more diverse and tech-savvy lawyers.

Nicole Black is a Rochester, New York attorney, author, journalist, and the Head of SME and External Education at MyCase legal practice management software and LawPay payment processing, AffiniPay companies. She is the nationally-recognized author of "Cloud Computing for Lawyers" (2012) and co-authors "Social Media for Lawyers: The Next Frontier" (2010), both published by the American Bar Association. She also co-authors "Criminal Law in New York," a Thomson Reuters treatise. She writes regular columns for Above the Law, ABA Journal, and The Daily Record, has authored hundreds of articles for other publications, and regularly speaks at conferences regarding the intersection of law and emerging technologies. She is an ABA Legal Rebel, and is listed on the Fastcase 50 and ABA LTRC Women in Legal Tech. She can be contacted at [email protected].

 

Thomson Reuters' AI Debut Signals a New Era of Widespread AI Integration in Legaltech

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

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Thomson Reuters' AI Debut Signals a New Era of Widespread AI Integration in Legaltech

Have you been tracking the explosive rate of generative artificial intelligence (AI) innovation? If not, you’re at the risk of being left behind. Innovation and investment in this space are off the charts, and all signs point to continued and exponential shifts that will significantly impact the legal profession.

The AI revolution began less than a year ago when OpenAI publicly launched ChatGPT 3.5 on November 30, 2022. Then on March 14, 2023, with the release of ChatGPT powered by GPT-4, the influx of rapid advancements began at a record pace as software companies worked at lightning-fast speed to integrate the power of GPT-4 technology into their products.

It shouldn’t surprise you to learn that legal technology companies have joined the fray. Since early 2023, over one hundred announcements from legal technology companies have emerged, detailing plans to incorporate generative AI functionality into their products. Although most products are still in beta, rest assured that regardless of the software platforms used in your firm, you can expect that generative AI will soon be seamlessly integrated into the tools that are part of the daily workflows of legal professionals in your firm.

Proof in point: Wednesday’s generative AI announcements from Thomson Reuters offer strong evidence that we’re entering a new era of widespread AI integration. For Thomson Reuter’s legal customers, the integrated generative AI experience will soon be a reality and readily accessible across several different products. This newfound capability largely stems from leveraging CoCounsel, a generative AI legal assistant tool acquired by Thomson Reuters as part of the acquisition of Casetext for $650 million, which was completed in August.

The AI-powered updates announced by Thomson Reuters include: 1) generative AI-Assisted research is now available to all Westlaw Precision customers, 2) the launch of a generative legal AI assistant interface next year across all Thomson Reuters generative AI products (Practical Law Dynamic Tool Set, Document Intelligence, and HighQ), and 3) CoCounsel Core, a legal assistant that complements Westlaw Precision and provides lawyers with eight core skills: AI-Assisted Research on Westlaw Precision, Prepare for a Deposition, Draft Correspondence, Search a Database, Review Documents, Summarize a Document, Extract Contract Data, and Contract Policy Compliance.

If Thomson Reuters’ investment of time, resources, and money into this technology doesn’t convince you of its inescapable impact on our profession, I’m not sure what will. The writing is on the wall: adapt or fall behind. If you don’t take advantage of this technology, your competitors will. 

For the skeptics: This is not a fleeting trend, but a permanent change in our industry. Instead, it represents a seismic shift that will change the way legal work is done. The integration of AI through platforms like Westlaw Precision and CoCounsel will revolutionize legal workflows by offering unprecedented efficiencies. 

The stakes are high. Rather than burying your head in the sand, approach this evolution with curiosity and proactivity. Attend seminars focused on generative AI and actively explore how the legal technology tools you depend on will incorporate or integrate this technology. Harness your newfound knowledge to make informed, strategic decisions that will lay the foundation for your firm's future success, using generative AI not only as a tool but as a strategic asset to benefit both your practice and your clients. 

The AI-enabled legal landscape is advancing at breakneck speed, and those who lag in embracing these tools will find themselves at a competitive disadvantage. In today’s rapidly changing environment, staying informed and agile isn’t optional—it's essential for survival and success in the modern legal landscape.

Nicole Black is a Rochester, New York attorney, author, journalist, and the Head of SME and External Education at MyCase legal practice management software, an AffiniPay company. She is the nationally-recognized author of "Cloud Computing for Lawyers" (2012) and co-authors "Social Media for Lawyers: The Next Frontier" (2010), both published by the American Bar Association. She also co-authors "Criminal Law in New York," a Thomson Reuters treatise. She writes regular columns for Above the Law, ABA Journal, and The Daily Record, has authored hundreds of articles for other publications, and regularly speaks at conferences regarding the intersection of law and emerging technologies. She is an ABA Legal Rebel, and is listed on the Fastcase 50 and ABA LTRC Women in Legal Tech. She can be contacted at [email protected].

Legaltech Due Diligence: Evaluating Cloud and AI Software

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

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Legaltech Due Diligence: Evaluating Cloud and AI Software

Technology is evolving at a pace never before seen. While it can often feel overwhelming, there’s no better time to embrace change by incorporating emerging tools like cloud-based software and artificial intelligence (AI) into your law firm. Given the rapid pace of change, your best option is to do all you can to avoid falling behind.

Of course, whenever you consider implementing new cloud-based technology, including AI software, into your law firm, it’s essential to thoroughly understand the implications of technology adoption and fully vet all software providers that will handle your firm’s data. Your ethical obligation is to take reasonable steps to ensure that all confidential information will be properly protected and securely maintained.   

One of the first things you can do to ensure your firm’s data security is to use legal technology tools rather than consumer-grade software. Legal technology providers understand the needs and ethical obligations of legal professionals and are thus better equipped to meet your needs. But even when using legal software, you still required to understand how your firm’s data will be handled and protected. 

If you’re not sure where to start, I’ve got you covered. Below you’ll find a partial list of questions to ask cloud and AI companies. The comprehensive list of questions can be accessed online here: https://www.lawtechtalk.com/questions-to-ask-cloud-providers.html.

These questions will help you vet legal software providers, including 1) who will have access to it and under what conditions; 2) what steps will be taken to secure the data, 3) what types of data backup procedures are in place, 4) whether the accuracy and reliability of the output are sufficient for your needs, and 5) how you can export your data should you decide to switch providers.

Partial List of Questions to Ask AI Providers 

• What is your AI’s core technology and architecture?
• What data does your AI require for training?
• How do you ensure your AI model’s accuracy?
• How does your AI handle bias and fairness?
• How is your AI model updated and improved over time?
• What is your AI’s interpretability and transparency like?
• What is your model’s performance in real-time applications?
• Can your AI model be customized to our specific needs?
• What kind of support and training do you provide?
• How do you ensure confidentiality, data security, and privacy?

Partial List of Questions to Ask Cloud Providers

• How long has the company been around?
• What type of facility will host your law firm's data?
• Who else has access to the cloud facility, the servers, and the data?
• How does the vendor screen its employees?
• Is the data accessible by the vendor’s employees limited to only those situations where you request assistance?
• If there are integrations with the company's product, how does the company screen the security processes of the other vendors?
• If there is a problem with a product that integrates with the vendor's software, which company will be responsible for addressing the issue?
• Does the contract with the vendor address confidentiality?
• How often are backups performed?
• What types of encryption methods are used?

Keeping up with change isn’t always easy, but it’s essential in today’s fast-paced environment. Staying up-to-date and carefully vetting the companies that will provide technology solutions for your firm will lay the groundwork for future success. Your diligent efforts will pay off in the long run by enabling your law firm to thrive by leveraging technology that will level the playing field and allow you to compete in innovative ways never before imagined. 

Nicole Black is a Rochester, New York attorney, author, journalist, and the Head of SME and External Education at MyCase legal practice management software, an AffiniPay company. She is the nationally-recognized author of "Cloud Computing for Lawyers" (2012) and co-authors "Social Media for Lawyers: The Next Frontier" (2010), both published by the American Bar Association. She also co-authors "Criminal Law in New York," a Thomson Reuters treatise. She writes regular columns for Above the Law, ABA Journal, and The Daily Record, has authored hundreds of articles for other publications, and regularly speaks at conferences regarding the intersection of law and emerging technologies. She is an ABA Legal Rebel, and is listed on the Fastcase 50 and ABA LTRC Women in Legal Tech. She can be contacted at [email protected].

Surf Smarter: 10 Extensions to Upgrade Your Web Browser

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

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Surf Smarter: 10 Extensions to Upgrade Your Web Browser

Like it or not, you probably spend several hours each day online. Nowadays, the internet serves as our lifeline, offering immediate access to whatever we need, whenever we need it. Whether on your smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop, the online world offers a window into the world of limitless information.

We've come to rely on—and often take for granted—the tool that grants us instant access to cyberspace: the web browser. While not necessarily an exciting piece of technology, it’s nevertheless a reliable workhorse that we use daily. Browsers are highly functional on their own, but adding browser extensions can make your online experience both more productive and secure.

Browser extensions are typically available regardless of the tool you’re using, and many are accessible across multiple platforms. To add them to your browser you need to locate the extension “store,” usually located within your browser’s settings. The store includes categorized add-ons, and you can also search for specific ones. 

I take advantage of a host of different extensions that enhance and improve my online experience and regularly add new ones as I discover them. Below you’ll find my top ten most-used extensions, along with an explanation of how each one adds to my daily workflow.

AdBlock: This browser extension serves as a digital shield, filtering out intrusive advertisements from web pages and enhancing your experience by reducing page load times and conserving bandwidth.

ChatGPT for Google: This add-on integrates GPT-based conversational AI into Google search, providing you with enhanced search capabilities, contextual assistance, and even real-time language translation, making Google's ecosystem more interactive and intuitive.

Consent-o-Matic: This extension automates the often cumbersome process of managing GDPR cookie consent forms across various websites, and streamlines your navigation by automatically selecting or declining cookies based on your preferences.

DuckDuckGo: More than just a search engine, this extension offers a comprehensive privacy solution by blocking third-party trackers, encrypting connections, and providing a private search functionality that doesn't store your data.

Grammarly: Grammarly is a comprehensive writing assistant that scrutinizes your text for grammatical errors, offers stylistic improvements, and even employs algorithms to detect the tone and suggest revisions to enhance the readability of your writing.

PayPal Honey: This shopping assistant extension goes beyond finding and applying coupon codes at checkout; it's integrated with PayPal to offer a seamless transaction experience, and even provides price tracking and alerts.

PrintFriendly: This extension transforms cluttered web pages into clean, print-ready versions by stripping away ads, navigation bars, and other non-essential elements, making it easier to print the page or save it as a PDF.

Search the current site: This browser extension streamlines your web navigation by enabling focused, site-specific search queries directly from your browser's toolbar, eliminating the need to navigate through a website's own (often cumbersome) search function or manually search a page by entering site:URL into a search engine.

Trim: This extension enriches your streaming experience by embedding IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes, and Metacritic ratings directly into Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and other streaming services, enabling you to make informed choices about what to watch next.

WOT (Web of Trust): This extension serves as a real-time sentinel by evaluating the reputation of websites you visit and warning you about potential security risks, scams, or phishing attempts, based on community reviews and machine learning algorithms.

Install any or all of these extensions and reap the rewards of a more streamlined, ad-free, and data-rich browsing experience. Gone are the days of unsafe websites, paying full price, or blindly choosing movies. Instead, you’ll be armed with grammatically correct documents, instantaneous ChatGPT search results, and the best online deals in town. What more could a sophisticated internet traveler ask for?

Nicole Black is a Rochester, New York attorney, author, journalist, and the Head of SME and External Education at MyCase legal practice management software, an AffiniPay company. She is the nationally-recognized author of "Cloud Computing for Lawyers" (2012) and co-authors "Social Media for Lawyers: The Next Frontier" (2010), both published by the American Bar Association. She also co-authors "Criminal Law in New York," a Thomson Reuters treatise. She writes regular columns for Above the Law, ABA Journal, and The Daily Record, has authored hundreds of articles for other publications, and regularly speaks at conferences regarding the intersection of law and emerging technologies. She is an ABA Legal Rebel, and is listed on the Fastcase 50 and ABA LTRC Women in Legal Tech. She can be contacted at [email protected].

Sharing space, not secrets: Office sharing insights from ABA Formal Opinion 507

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

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Sharing space, not secrets: Office sharing insights from ABA Formal Opinion 507

The landscape of our lives looks very different now than it did before the pandemic struck. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the workplace. Remote work is more common than ever and increased technology usage has enabled more flexible and creative work arrangements. Because five-day in-office work weeks are less common, office-sharing arrangements have become more palatable for lawyers. Less office space is required due to hybrid work schedules, thus allowing more people to work from one office and divide rental costs while also sharing resources. 

However, with more office-sharing by attorneys comes the need to carefully balance the convenience with the potential risks this type of arrangement can pose. Fortunately, there is guidance available in the form of a recently released ethics opinion, ABA Formal Opinion 507.

Handed down in July, this opinion addresses the ethical issues that arise when lawyers participate in office-sharing arrangements. The Standing Committee on Ethics and Responsibility concluded that it is generally permissible for lawyers to share offices with others, but when doing so there are a number of ethical issues to keep top of mind.

First, the Committee cautioned that it’s essential to take steps to protect client confidentiality. Lawyers must ensure that the physical arrangement of the shared office space does not expose client information to other office-sharing lawyers or their staff. Safeguards that should be considered include maintaining separate waiting areas, installing privacy screens, and using technology to provide secure storage for client files 

The Committee discussed the importance of using separate telephone lines and computer systems, along with providing staff training to protect client information: "(L)awyers can also restrict access to client-related information by securing physical client files in locked cabinets or offices and using separate telephone lines and computer systems. Lawyers, however, may overcome confidentiality concerns with shared telephone and computer systems with appropriate security measures, staff training, and client disclosures." 

While keeping client information secure is paramount, it's not the only ethical obligation lawyers need to consider. Clear communication was also emphasized. According to the Committee, lawyers have an ethical obligation to clearly communicate the nature of their relationship to the public and clients to avoid misleading impressions. There are a number of ways that lawyers sharing office space can ensure compliance, including using separate business cards, letterheads, and directory listings.

The Committee also opined on the importance of taking steps to avoid conflicts of interest, explaining that attorneys “should pay particular attention to (1) avoiding the imputation of conflicts of interest, (2) taking on potential new matters that are adverse to clients represented by other office sharing lawyers, and (3) consulting with fellow office sharing lawyers.” 

Another area to approach with caution is when sharing staff with other lawyers. 

If lawyers decide to share support staff, they must instruct all employees regarding their confidentiality obligations and should take steps to supervise them appropriately. 

Finally, the Committee addressed issues that arise when lawyers who share office space consult with one another about their cases. According to the Commitee, lawyers should avoid disclosing client-identifying or privileged information during informal consultations, and discussing issues through hypotheticals is recommended. Notably, these consultations can sometimes lead to unexpected conflicts of interest that could limit a lawyer's ability to represent current or future clients. Therefore, a standard conflict check should be conducted before any informal consultation discussion in order to mitigate this risk.

The pandemic and technological changes have upended traditional legal practices. As a result, we now have an unprecedented array of options for how and where to conduct our work. But as this opinion reminds us, with this newfound flexibility comes a heightened ethical burden. In a landscape that's shifting almost as quickly as technology itself, this opinion provides much-needed guidance for lawyers seeking to take advantage of the many benefits offered by hybrid work arrangements like office-sharing.

Nicole Black is a Rochester, New York attorney, author, journalist, and the Head of SME and External Education at MyCase legal practice management software, an AffiniPay company. She is the nationally-recognized author of "Cloud Computing for Lawyers" (2012) and co-authors "Social Media for Lawyers: The Next Frontier" (2010), both published by the American Bar Association. She also co-authors "Criminal Law in New York," a Thomson Reuters treatise. She writes regular columns for Above the Law, ABA Journal, and The Daily Record, has authored hundreds of articles for other publications, and regularly speaks at conferences regarding the intersection of law and emerging technologies. She is an ABA Legal Rebel, and is listed on the Fastcase 50 and ABA LTRC Women in Legal Tech. She can be contacted at [email protected].

Unlocking the Potential of ChatGPT Plugins in Your Law Practice

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

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Unlocking the Potential of ChatGPT Plugins in Your Law Practice

The legal landscape is constantly evolving, and the advent of AI technologies has significantly accelerated the rate of change. One notable technology that has been making waves lately is ChatGPT, an advanced AI chatbot developed by OpenAI. 

As I discuss in this article, while this cutting-edge tool has the potential to significantly impact how legal work gets done, it must be used with care. Below you’ll learn what ChatGPT is, its benefits and risks, and the basics of ChatGPT plugins. I’ll also highlight the top 10 ChatGPT plugins that can be particularly beneficial for legal professionals.

What is ChatGPT and Why Does It Matter for Lawyers?

ChatGPT is a generative AI conversational chatbot that understands natural language and generates responses to queries based on context awareness. It is designed to streamline communication, research, and information processing. Because of these features, it can be a valuable tool for lawyers and has the potential to dramatically impact the practice of law, saving time and money. 

However, despite the many benefits generative AI offers legal professionals, there are also drawbacks to be aware of. For starters, its database is limited to a dataset containing information through 2021. As a result, responses are sometimes based on outdated information.

Additionally, this technology is not a stand-in for legal expertise. It does not replace legal knowledge or negate the ethical requirement of basic competence. A careful review of all work produced using generative AI tools will always be required.

Understanding Plugins and how they differ from Browser Extensions

ChatGPT is a powerful tool when used as a standalone chatbot, but its functionality can be enhanced using browser extensions, which I wrote about in April, or plugins, which I cover in this article.

Both browser extensions and plugins add functionality to a software application, but they differ in their scope and application. A browser extension is a small software module that customizes a web browser. A plugin is a software component that adds a specific feature to an existing software application, enhancing its capabilities. 

Recently, ChatGPT released plugins, which are available only to ChatGPT Plus subscribers. Many of the plugins solve the date limitation issue and can be used in conjunction with a ChatGPT conversation to provide further insight, context, and current information. Plugins are available in many different categories including travel, shopping, search, and data summarization and analysis. 

Top 10 ChatGPT Plugins for Lawyers

I’ve had access to plugins for a few weeks now and have experimented with many different types. After scouring through the ChatGPT plugins store, I’ve identified the top 10 plugins that I believe will be particularly useful for legal professionals:

1. Prompt Perfect: This plugin helps users draft “perfect prompts” for ChatGPT making it easier to obtain specific and informative answers from the AI chatbot.
2. Wolfram: This plugin provides access to advanced computations, math, and real-time data, making it useful for lawyers dealing with complex cases that require data analysis.
3. Zapier: This plugin creates a bridge across software tools and allows users to interact with over 5,000 different work apps, including Gmail, MS Outlook, and Slack, streamlining workflows and increasing productivity.
4. Link Reader: This plugin can analyze and process content from all kinds of links, including webpages, PDFs, images, and more, making it easier for lawyers to access and understand current information from a variety of sources.
5. Block Atlas: This tool is great for litigators and other types of practitioners and enables you to easily search and analyze US census data.
6. AskYourPDF: This AI-based chat system allows users to interact with PDF documents efficiently, allowing lawyers to extract content from PDF files quickly and generate summaries, analyses, and more.
7. FiscalNote: This plugin provides real-time datasets of legal, political, and regulatory data and information. It offers a comprehensive platform that tracks legislation, regulations, and policy issues across various levels of government.
8. KeyMate.AI Search: With this plugin, ChatGPT can be used to search the internet for the latest information, addressing the problem of outdated data.
9. Web Pilot: Using this plugin, ChatGPT can access and interact with web pages based on one or more URLs and generates summaries, overviews, translations, and other information from web page content.
10. World News: This plugin provides the latest news around the world, keeping lawyers updated on current events that may impact their practice.

Use ChatGPT Plugins Responsibly

To fully harness the potential of ChatGPT and its plugins, it’s important to prioritize ethical considerations when using these AI tools. First and foremost, refrain from sharing confidential client data unless you are confident that your queries will be protected and will remain private. Also, keep date and accuracy limitations in mind, and remember that even when GPT-powered tools are incorporated into legal-specific software, thus reducing the number of hallucinations, the potential for error nevertheless remains. Until this technology improves significantly, you will have to carefully review all output for errors. 

No matter how you look at it, ChatGPT and its plugins offer a wealth of opportunities for lawyers, allowing them to streamline their work processes, enhance productivity, and stay updated on current events. Through the incorporation of these innovative tools into their daily routine, legal professionals can effectively harness the power of AI technology to the benefit of their practice and their clients by carefully balancing the spirit of innovation and the obligations of professional responsibility. 

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].