Vermont has few guardrails to restrict how lawyers use AI

Source Domain: vtdigger.org

A New Hampshire attorney used an AI tool to draft a legal brief, citing a quote from a previous court case that didn’t exist, leading to criticism from Vermont Supreme Court justices.
The attorney’s reliance on AI sparked concerns about the potential unreliability and threats to judicial integrity posed by artificial intelligence in legal practice.
Vermont’s court system is grappling with how to handle AI usage, offering guidance but lacking strict regulations, and acknowledging the potential for AI-generated false citations, or “hallucinations.”
The Vermont Bar Association has been discussing AI usage among lawyers and teaching how it can be used responsibly, emphasizing the need for lawyers to maintain oversight and client confidentiality.
While some lawyers, like Jared Correia, see AI as a tool for greater efficiency, others, including long-time lawyer Thomas Lamar Enzor, have found significant inaccuracies when using AI, leading them to abandon its use.
As of 2024, Vermont Judiciary’s committee has decided against regulating AI use in law as long as lawyers follow professional conduct rules, although they emphasize the importance of protecting client privacy.

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