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Lawyer - You Really Need To Learn About Artificial Intelligence.

Let's pretend that you are interested in becoming a more effective lawyer and advocate. You have been reading about ChatGPT, the new generative AI that can answer questions and conduct conversations with humans about any topic. How, you may ask, will AI help me become a better lawyer? 

The legal industry has seen a significant transformation over the past few years, thanks in part to the development and widespread adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. Among the most influential AI applications is ChatGPT, an advanced language model designed by OpenAI. By providing the legal sector with enhanced productivity, efficiency, and decision-making capabilities, ChatGPT has already begun to revolutionize the industry. I find myself using it every day to answer just about any question that comes up while I practice law.

Legal Research. The first way lawyers are using AI is in researching case law, regulations, and other legal materials. ChatGPT can analyze vast amounts of data in seconds, providing relevant information and precedents to support attorneys in building their cases. The caveat here is that sometimes ChatGPT makes up cases, so its responses must be manually checked for accuracy. If it cites a case, always go to the source and check if it is really a case.

Contract Drafting and Review. Drafting and reviewing contracts are a big part of law practice, and ChatGPT's natural language processing capabilities make these tasks more efficient than ever. By generating draft contracts, identifying inconsistencies, and spotting potential legal issues, ChatGPT can help lawyers produce high-quality, error-free documents in a fraction of the time. Moreover, the AI can recommend modifications to ensure that contracts adhere to relevant laws and regulations, reducing the likelihood of disputes and litigation. I like to use it to do a quick and dirty analysis of any complex contract I come across. By applying my years of experience, and basic knowledge, I can save a lot of time, and often find inconsistencies and problems that I never would have found manually.

Assisting in E-discovery. I am semi-retired, so I don't do contested litigation anymore. But, I can see great benefits in Electronic discovery, or e-discovery, by using AI to analyze and pull data from large discovery data sets. Anyone who has been faced with reviewing thousands of documents will appreciate the productivity gains that AI can provide in reviewing the documents, and searching for key words and concepts. Better results, in less time, and more efficiently, what's not to like? Of course, if you are a new lawyer whose job is to review discovery, you might find that you have to develop other skills in order to remain employed. Law firms will need to find other ways to use new associates. Of course, as a solo, I never had the benefit of large numbers of people to do the grunt work. So, AI will be a great leveler of the playing field for those of us who choose to go it alone.

There are other ways in which AI will change the legal profession. Hopefully, this discussion will propel you to learn more about this life and practice changing new tool. Those who fail to master it will find themselves without a profession.

 

#WhyIAmASolo - ChatGPT Is Another Way I Can Leverage Technology To Compete With BigLaw.

Lawyers Who Resist AI Are Like Dinosaurs Before The Day The Meteorite Hits. Even though BigLaw, in the main, gets what a sea change AI and Chatbots are bringing to the practice of law, the beauty of Big Data and ChatGPT is that it can be used by every lawyer, even the solos. I am already using it as an assistive technology, and I can save hours of painstaking research by generating content with it, and, after the conversation, apply my own take to the content, and use it as an assistive. It, in fact, gives me the power of BigLaw without the thousands of dollars and hours required to build a whole team of law clerks, associate lawyers, secretaries, paralegals, and other persons that BigLaw uses to generate legal content. All technology has created a level playing field for solo lawyers, and the dinosaur law firms who aren't jumping on AI will, indeed, be crushed by the meteorite that is coming. In some ways, as an old lawyer, I lament that I won't be around to see it. But, I caution every lawyer. The sky is falling. Run faster.

 

Efax Messenger App - Your Computer Is Your Fax Machine.

Efax Messenger. Remember Fax machines? The rush of technology advances has made many recent tech apps obsolete quickly. I can remember the early fax machines, which were cumbersome behemoths as large as a typewriter. You remember typewriters, don't you? The fax machine required a separate phone line at the office, and you had to travel from your office to the machine, and wait for the print out. I suspect that there are still offices using these things. But, these days, most of us have a fax app; and the granddaddy of computer based faxing is the Efax app. EFax Messenger is a free app that allows users to send and receive faxes via email or computer. The app is designed to simplify the process of faxing by eliminating the need for a traditional fax machine and phone line. With EFax Messenger, users can send faxes directly from their computer or mobile device, without having to print out documents and physically send them. The app supports a variety of file types, including PDF, DOC, and JPG, and allows users to add electronic signatures to their faxes. EFax Messenger also includes features such as a searchable inbox and the ability to track the status of sent faxes. Overall, EFax Messenger is a convenient and efficient way to send and receive faxes in a digital age. I love the fact that it sits, as an icon, in my app tray, and I can call it up at any time. For around $20 a month, I get a dedicated phone number, and can send and receive faxes without moving from my chair. Brave new world. How are you faxing?

PDFFiller Application - Be More Productive.

PDFfiller is an online platform and mobile app that enables users to edit and fill out PDF documents electronically. It was founded in 2008 and is headquartered in the United States. While my go to PDF app, Kofax Power PDF, is the app I use every day for creating, reading, efiling, and just about everything PDF related, PDFFiller was introduced to me by my accountant, who creates my tax returns in the app, and sends them to me for review, signature and filing. It has access to thousands of law related documents through US Legal Forms. While many of them are pretty bland, they can serve as a launching point for drafting all sorts of legal documents. The forms include IRS tax forms, legal documents, business forms, and more. Many of them could probably be found in various places on the Internet; but, with this app, they are all in one, searchable database. With PDFfiller, a user can upload  PDF documents and fill them out electronically, as well as sign and share them with others. The app offers a range of tools for editing and annotating PDFs, including adding text, images, and shapes, highlighting and underlining text, and drawing freehand.

In addition to editing tools, PDFfiller also provides advanced features such as form autofill, where the app can automatically populate form fields with data you've previously entered, as well as the ability to create custom fillable PDF forms. PDFfiller is available as a web-based application and also as a mobile app for both iOS and Android devices. It integrates with popular cloud storage services such as Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive, making it easy to access and edit your documents from anywhere. I also like that there is an Android version, which gives me access to all my documents on my Galaxy Tab S7 FE tablet, which has a huge 12.4 inch screen, and the fabulous Samsung screen. 

PDFfiller offers both free and paid versions, with the paid version offering additional features such as unlimited document storage, electronic signature capabilities, and advanced security options. The yearly subscription fee is $180, which, in my book, is a real bargain.

 

Does ChatGPT Produce Quality Legal Briefs?

Does ChatGPT Produce Fishy Briefs? When I saw this ABA article on ChatGPT, and whether it could be used to create passable appellate briefs, the first thing I thought of was the NRA ad: "Guns don't kill people, people kill people". The ad was promulgated in support of some who were fighting gun control legislation, and the theme was that guns are tools. It is human beings who use them, for good or ill. In fact, ChatGPT can create the structure of a brief quickly, and can get basics into the text; but, it is the lawyer who applied his or her knowledge and writing ability to create a polished product. No, Virginia, ChatGPT doesn't produce legal briefs, lawyers produce appellate briefs. ChatGPT is a way to put a lot of extraneous language into passable form, and the lawyer then can use it as a base to create something that may or may not be described as "quality". To add to the poor comparison, asking ChatGPT to support the proposition that fish are not bees is begging for a product that is simplistic and ridiculous. What the future WILL bring is a generative AI that can quickly put much knowledge and data on paper, giving the lawyer more time to create something that IS of high quality. Wait and see. No, ChatGPT doesn't create appellate briefs. Lawyers create appellate briefs.

I Asked ChatGPT How It Could Help Me. Here's The Answer.

Chat GPT. Everyone is worried about the implications of AI chatbots; but, my view is that they will enhance the practice of law, and many other professions. I asked ChatGPT how it could help me, as a practicing lawyer, and I got a cogent response that is quite accurate:

"As a language model, I can assist you with various tasks related to language and information. Here are some ways I can help you as a practicing lawyer:

1. Legal research: I can help you find relevant case law, statutes, and legal articles on a specific topic or issue.

2. Writing and drafting: I can assist you in writing legal documents, such as briefs, memos, and contracts, by providing suggestions on sentence structure, grammar, and legal terminology.

3. Proofreading and editing: I can help you proofread and edit your legal documents to ensure they are free of errors, such as spelling mistakes and grammatical errors.

4. Fact-checking: I can help you verify the accuracy of the facts and information presented in your legal documents.

5. Translation: If you need to translate legal documents from one language to another, I can provide assistance with translation and suggest appropriate legal terminology.

Please let me know how I can assist you further."

It occurs to me that AI can become a starting point for the things I do as a lawyer. Legal research, drafting documents, fact checking, and translation. It feels like the early days of document and word processing. Create a base document with a computer, and then apply your legal skills to improve it, and make it yours. This is going to save a lot of lawyers a lot of time and effort. But, it won't replace the legal judgment honed from decades of experience with real people. What do you think?

Attorneys Might Find ChatGPT To Be An Essential Research Tool.

While it is pretty basic, ChatGPT can provide a great place to start for lawyers facing a matter not in their current wheelhouse. Just for fun, I asked it about how to conduct a deposition in an eviction case, and this is what it spit out in a few seconds. I didn't ask any follow up questions; but, I am certain that I could coax some pretty useful information out of the bot. Paralegals and law clerks and young lawyers might find this tool very helpful. My query was: "create a list of interrogatories to file in a Florida eviction case."

"Here is a list of potential interrogatories (written questions) that could be filed in a Florida eviction case:

1. Please provide a detailed explanation of the reason for the eviction and any supporting documentation or evidence.

2. Please state the date on which the notice to vacate was served to the tenant.

3. Please provide copies of any rental or lease agreements between the parties.

4. Please state the amount of rent that the tenant owes and provide any supporting documentation, such as receipts or cancelled checks.

5. Please state whether the landlord has made any repairs or improvements to the property that may have contributed to the need for eviction.

6. Please provide any written or verbal communications between the parties regarding the eviction, such as notices or phone calls.

7. Please describe any attempts made by the landlord to resolve the issue prior to filing for eviction.

8. Please provide a list of any witnesses who may have information relevant to the case.

9. Please state whether the landlord has sought the advice of an attorney regarding the eviction, and if so, please provide the name and contact information of the attorney.

10. Please describe any special circumstances or extenuating circumstances that may have contributed to the need for eviction.

This is not an exhaustive list, and the specific questions filed may vary depending on the specific circumstances of the case. It is important to consult with an attorney to determine the most appropriate and relevant interrogatories to file in a particular case."

Welcome to the Revolution.

Should Lawyers Embrace Or Fear ChatGPT?

Should Lawyers Embrace Or Fear ChatGPT? The latest Legal Rebels podcast, linked to here, considers the meteoric rise of interest in AI Chatbot, ChatGPT, which is a conversational chatbot that seems to be able to provide cogent answers to just about any question, and which some are saying could revolutionize many industries. Of course, in my day, we had Cliff Notes, which summarized books in bite sized pieces that savvy students could use in studying, and writing papers. Chatbots, however, can sound like graduate theses, and are much tougher to identify. For lawyers, what if a client could get their legal answers from a chatbot, and bypass the lawyers? Scary thought, if you're a grunt lawyer. Of course, human lawyers and advocates will always be needed, if only to put a human face on a client's problem. I think these things will be more of a tool for lawyers to do efficient legal research, which can then be used to enhance our ability to represent clients. I have always considered the advances in AI to be an enhancement, and not a replacement. But, the technology is advancing at such a rapid pace, these questions must be asked and answered, and the progress of AI must be closely watched. Enhanced humans might evolve into something we don't want to be.

Should Lawyers Embrace Or Fear ChatGPT?

Should Lawyers Embrace Or Fear ChatGPT? The latest Legal Rebels podcast, linked to here, considers the meteoric rise of interest in AI Chatbot, ChatGPT, which is a conversational chatbot that seems to be able to provide cogent answers to just about any question, and which some are saying could revolutionize many industries. Of course, in my day, we had Cliff Notes, which summarized books in bite sized pieces that savvy students could use in studying, and writing papers. Chatbots, however, can sound like graduate theses, and are much tougher to identify. For lawyers, what if a client could get their legal answers from a chatbot, and bypass the lawyers? Scary thought, if you're a grunt lawyer. Of course, human lawyers and advocates will always be needed, if only to put a human face on a client's problem. I think these things will be more of a tool for lawyers to do efficient legal research, which can then be used to enhance our ability to represent clients. I have always considered the advances in AI to be an enhancement, and not a replacement. But, the technology is advancing at such a rapid pace, these questions must be asked and answered, and the progress of AI must be closely watched. Enhanced humans might evolve into something we don't want to be.