For the practice of law, AI has been a disaster!

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has taken the world by storm. Attorneys have increasingly used it to help them handle their cases but many make the mistake of blindly trusting AI-generated material. Recent appellate court cases have admonished lawyers who have relied on AI to cite non-existent cases, quote wording that does not exist in the cases they cite, inaccurately summarize precedent, and misstate court holdings. In law, AI often makes stuff up. Or as the experts say, it “hallucinates.” 

To reign in litigants who improperly rely on AI, circuit courts around the state have issued administrative orders. And on May 28, 2026, the Florida Supreme Court amended Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.515. In Re: Amendments to Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.515, 51 Fla. L. Weekly S142a (Fla. May 28, 2026). That Rule specifies the inherent representations that people make when they sign documents that are filed in any Florida court.

In addition to representing that the signer has read the document, has good grounds to file it, and that the document is not being submitted for delay, anyone who signs a filed document is deemed to represent that “the legal authorities identified exist and are accurately cited.” Id.

The Rule also contains its own specific penalty provision: 

The Court may, on its own motion or the motion of a party, impose sanctions for any filing inconsistent with this representation after providing the signer notice and an opportunity to be heard. Such sanctions may include reprimand, contempt, striking of the document, dismissal of proceedings, costs, attorneys’ fees, or other sanctions.

Id.

Generally, litigants can be sanctioned for breaking just about any rule. But AI is such a significant problem, that the Florida Supreme Court saw fit to embed a penalty provision within this rule change.

I was at a recent probate seminar where some AI experts spoke. They went over all the amazing things that AI is doing. But the experts also said that there is still plenty that AI cannot do, or cannot do well. They agreed that AI is at its worst when trying to help lawyers practice law.

You can read the Florida Supreme Court’s Order here: https://flcourts-media.flcourts.gov/content/download/2489374/opinion/Opinion_SC2026-0673.pdf.

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