Source: Reuters

Reuters reports that a U.S. District Judge in California has sanctioned the plaintiffs' law firm Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro, one of its partners, and another attorney, imposing a combined fine of $13,000. This disciplinary action, handed down on December 15, 2025, addresses the legal team's misuse of artificial intelligence tools in a class-action lawsuit against Fenix International Ltd, the parent company of OnlyFans. The court determined that the attorneys submitted court filings containing citations to nonexistent case law generated by AI, thereby violating procedural rules and professional ethical standards that mandate the rigorous verification of legal sources.

The ruling underscores the judiciary's increasing intolerance for errors stemming from the unverified use of Generative AI in legal proceedings. While acknowledging the potential of AI to enhance efficiency, the judge firmly stated that attorneys retain ultimate responsibility for the accuracy of their submissions. This decision serves as a significant warning to the legal profession regarding the dangers of over-reliance on automated tools without adequate human oversight, emphasizing that the convenience of technology cannot supersede the duty of competence and candor to the tribunal.