AI and professional responsibility

AI can assist with research, document comparison, drafting, and organization. The responsible lawyer assesses the matter, directs the work, checks facts and legal authorities, and reviews the final work product before it is delivered or filed. AI does not accept engagements, exercise independent legal judgment, or make commitments for a client.

Before client information is used with an AI service, the lawyer must approve the specific tool, account configuration, permitted information, and connected services. That review considers confidentiality terms, training use, retention, access, and retrieval or deletion. Client documents do not belong in this public website or its illustrative workflows.

The engagement process explains material AI uses, relevant risks and alternatives, and any client restrictions. Informed consent is obtained when required by the circumstances or applicable rules. A general website notice is not a substitute for that discussion. Clients may raise concerns or request limits on AI use; any effect on scope, fees, or timing is discussed before work proceeds.

Legal sources, quotations, factual statements, and calculations must be checked against their underlying materials. Another AI answer is not independent verification. Before filing, the lawyer checks the applicable court rules and orders and remains responsible for the submission.

Verified sources are the reason a deliverable can be used. Work is delivered in editable form with source references, version information where available, and excerpts or copies where sharing is permitted, together with the information still missing and the decisions left open, so the client and any continuing counsel can check it. Where another firm continues the matter, the engagement records the agreed handoff; that firm determines the review required for its own role.

See a fictional illustration of that format. It shows the proposed layout only; it is invented and is not a record of completed lawyer review.

Fees and eligible technology expenses are agreed in advance and must be reasonable. At-cost compute means supported, allocated provider charges after applicable credits and within the agreed ceiling. Included subscriptions are not billed again. Hypothetical hours saved by AI are not hours worked.

See how fees and compute are set.

Write to Scott@wolflaw.ai with a short, nonconfidential summary of what you need. Please do not send confidential documents before an appropriate channel is agreed.

The firm consults the materials below as guidance. The Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct and the Illinois Supreme Court's policy govern; ISBA and ARDC materials are advisory.

• Illinois Supreme Court Policy on Artificial Intelligence (effective January 1, 2025)
• ARDC materials on artificial intelligence
• ISBA Professional Conduct Advisory Opinion 16-06
• ABA Formal Opinion 512 — Generative Artificial Intelligence Tools

Reviewed September 9, 2026.