Futurelawyer

Rick Georges Is The FutureLawyer.

When So Called Professors Start Trashing The Constitution, It Is Time To Speak Up.

Professor Runs Movement To Trash The Constitution. Packing the Supreme Court for more political power, or to fight against decisions you disagree with. That stupid idea has been around for a long time. Thankfully, it hasn't gotten much traction. The so-called movement to trash the Constitution, however, has some heavyweight allies. Where did these people go to law school? Why would so called intelligent persons want to dismantle the basic document that retains the power of self government in the people of a country? Why would so called intelligent persons want to dismantle the document that has created the most powerful, successful, just, society that has ever existed on planet earth? I can only conclude that these short-sighted idiots learned nothing in school, and have closed their eyes to human history. Sure, political ebbs and flows will always affect constitutional interpretation. Government will always seek power, and will sometimes find it in Justices who assist by finding power in the "penumbra" of Constitutional provisions. But, destroy the document itself? Replace it with what? A monarchy? A government controlled by the powerful elite? I don't think so. The Constitution and free speech are all that protect us from dictatorship and tyranny. If you want another Civil War, this is the way to do it.

The FutureLawyer Didn't Invent The Internet...But I Ran Around Florida Telling Lawyers About It.

Several years ago, Diane accidentally gave me the idea for this post when she came out to my man cave that used to be a garage and cast her eye on the graphic sitting on top of a bookcase behind my desk, asking what it was, and why was it crooked. It was ironic that she asked about it, while I was using the Internet and scanning the news of the world and checking social media, and checking email and making connections all over the globe, all while sitting in my garage on a Sunday morning. The graphic, I explained to her, was the graphic used by the Florida Bar at the 1994 Bar Convention, at which I was educating Bar members about this new thing called the World Wide Web, and telling them how it would change their lives. At that time, only a few people believed me. What a difference 30 years makes. I don't ascribe magical powers in possessions, and the only ones I value are computer or gadget related; but, this graphic panel holds a special place in the FutureLawyer's memory. Now, get out there and "Surf The Net!"

Generative AI Presentation - PDF Of Slide Presentation.

Some of you have asked for a PDF of my slides from my Generative AI presentation. The slides themselves are more of an outline of things to consider. The best advice is not to pay someone to teach you. Subscribe to Open AI's Chat GPT for $20 a month, and play with it. You will learn more that way. Also, make your prompts as detailed and specific as possible. But, be careful to sanitize them of any client identifiable information. Happy hunting.

Generative AI Presentation.

 

FutureLawyer Will Be Presenting Today On Generative A.I.

I am happy to report that the exorcism yesterday was a success, and I will be ready for my presentation on Generative A.I. to the Florida State Prosecutors' Association. However, I ate too much fried chicken, so I am somewhat concerned about my stomach. In any event, a post mortem of the A.I. takeover will be held, and there is no fear that a Terminator robot will invade the classroom, and destroy all the participants. Now that the Devil is also banned, I anticipate a comprehensive discussion of the impact generative A.I. is having on the legal profession, and some techniques for leveraging this great new tool. 

Generative AI In The Practice Of Law.

I will be giving a two hour presentation next week to the Florida State Prosecutors Association on Generative AI and its use in the practice of law. GenAI is changing every industry, and law practice is no different. If you recall the introduction of Internet legal research and the remarkable advances it made in the old ways of research,  GenAI is exponentially a greater change over current Internet research. Computers that analyze and create at speeds hundreds of times faster than humans, changes everything. The biggest problems will be guaranteeing that these smart assistants will not replicate human biases, prejudices, and will not hallucinate incorrect results. For lawyers, accuracy is important, and the prevention of errors is being considered by every legal organization, as it is in all other industries. This presentation will be a brief introduction to the current applications, and the risks and problems that need to be considered. You need to know this stuff. If you don't, you will be left behind the most important technological development in legal history.

 

ABA Issues Formal Opinion On Generative AI - Opinion 512.

ABA Issues Formal Opinion 512 On Generative AI Ernie Svenson, as always, is on the leading edge of current legal topics. On July 29th, 2024, the ABA issued a formal opinion, linked at Ernie's website, which is an essential read for all practicing lawyers. The upshot of the opinion is that it is essential, as in all avenues of research for lawyers, to investigate all factual allegations of such AI research, and to be careful to protect clients' confidential information when querying AI, or using AI to create letters, pleadings, memoranda, or other legal documents. As with the early days of computer use, it is easy to become blinded by the unseen "expert", and not to do due diligence about the results.

 

Florida Lawyer's Guide To Efiling.

 

My favorite Florida Bar website contains many how to do it seminars on Florida law practice. Today, I am highlighting the one hour webinar on Efiling in the Florida Court System. A Florida lawyer is now required to efile all pleadings, motions and other papers in the State efiling system, with few exceptions (original Wills, etc.). So, as a solo lawyer, I can practice law in all of Florida from a computer terminal. Of course, many ordinary court hearings are now conducted via Zoom video teleconferencing, and many lawyers conduct depositions, client conferences and other events online. The efficiencies and advantages of an online law practice are undeniable. In fact, such a virtual practice makes my avocation of RV lawyering possible. Florida lawyers can do a lot of their work wherever they are, as long as they have a computer and broadband Internet access. Of course, there are major exceptions to this; including jury trials, criminal trials, and other major events. Florida has always been a leader in efiling, and I am proud that I was part of the original effort to standardize efiling across the State. Even if you aren't a lawyer, you should educate yourself about the process. It is the system your lawyer is using to file paperwork in your case.

Those Who Want To Learn, Teach.

For #TBT, I give you the FutureLawyer presenting to the Florida State Prosecutor's Association 5 years ago. Will be doing one for them on GenAI in August. I always learn more when I am asked to teach.

Custom ChatGPTs Ethical Concerns.

Artificial Intelligence Chatbots - Ethical Concerns. And, here is another of my law tech heroines, Carolyn Elefant, with an eye opening discussion of the things lawyers and firms need to consider before creating custom Chat GPT databases which will be available to the public. Creating a specialized database for clients and prospective clients can be really useful; but, the lawyer must consider the contents of the database, client confidentiality, copyright of others' materials, and much more. This article is a great guidebook that every ChatGPT legal creator needs to use. Thanks, Carolyn.

The GenAI Courtoom Conundrum.

The GenAI Courtroom Conundrum. Niki Black discusses the trend of Federal and other courts backing away from the initial reaction to GenAI, and the requirements to disclose the use of GenAI in court filings, or to certify their accuracy. Judges are tending to use GenAI themselves, and it is becoming a more accepted research tool. Since every lawyer is already responsible for the accuracy of all filings with Courts, GenAI is being recognized for what it is, a lawyer enhancing tool, which has the same constraints and ethical requirements as any other technology tool in the lawyer arsenal. Use GenAI freely; just use it responsibly. Thanks, Niki, for a revealing and cogent article.