Source: Above the Law

This commentary from Above the Law harshly criticizes the continuing trend of lawyers submitting court documents that contain "hallucinated" information, such as citations to entirely fabricated legal cases, generated by artificial intelligence. The author dismisses the excuse of technological naivete, framing the issue instead as a fundamental breakdown in professional responsibility and due diligence. The piece argues that the core duty of a lawyer is to verify the accuracy of their submissions to a court, a duty that is amplified, not excused, by the use of new technologies.

The article contends that this recurring problem tarnishes the reputation of the entire legal profession and demonstrates a concerning lack of critical thinking. The author warns that judges are rapidly losing their patience with such lapses and are increasingly willing to impose harsh sanctions on offending attorneys. The overarching message is a call to action for lawyers to treat AI outputs with extreme skepticism and to remember that the ultimate accountability for the content of a legal filing rests solely with the human attorney who signs it.