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Ethics/Professional Responsibility

Apr. 2, 2026

COPRAC's AI warning highlights legal industry's accountability gap

California's bar ethics committee has a new warning for attorneys using AI -- but the real problem isn't hallucinations, it's the missing accountability layer that only a licensed attorney can fill.

Christian Puzder

Christian Puzder serves on the WashU Law AI Advisory Board and is the cofounder & CEO of Casefriend, a legal technology platform redefining how law firms integrate artificial intelligence into everyday practice. Headquartered in Mesa, Arizona, Casefriend partners with firms nationwide to drive smarter, more responsible legal workflows. www.casefriend.com

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COPRAC's AI warning highlights legal industry's accountability gap
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Legal artificial intelligence doesn't have a "hallucination" problem. It has an accountability problem.

Responsible AI use for attorneys starts with a simple rule: AI may assist; only a lawyer may decide. That means every defensible workflow is built on an assist and approve experience. AI models that try to replace attorney judgment can't be used responsibly.

This directive for responsible AI use has been formalized in ABA Formal Opinion 512 and recently has b...

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