Clients Are Asking AI for Legal Advice. Here's How to Respond
More clients are showing up with answers from ChatGPT and similar tools. One partner compared it to the internet's effect on medical self-diagnosis-"the WebMD effect on steroids." Clients read a confident output and think they have a slam-dunk case.
There's a catch. Large language models often miss critical context-case history, facts that matter, and the laws that actually apply. That gap can push clients toward bad decisions before you even see the file.
Fee models are in the crosshairs too. If tech shortens certain tasks, traditional billable hours could tighten unless you rethink how you price and package work. And despite the hype, observers say the profession isn't getting flipped overnight: "There are going to be some big claims about what can be done… A lot of them will turn out to be vaporware."
What This Means for Your Practice
- Ask about AI at intake. Add a simple question: "Have you used ChatGPT or other AI for this issue?" Request the exact prompts and outputs. It saves time and reveals assumptions you need to clear up.
- Address AI in your engagement letter. Clarify that third-party AI content isn't legal advice and may be inaccurate or incomplete. Set expectations early.
- Debunk overconfidence fast. Explain why jurisdiction, procedure, and fact nuance can flip an answer. Show one or two concrete ways the AI output misses the mark.
- Use AI where it's safe-and review everything. Summaries, first-draft research outlines, and admin checklists can move faster. Final legal analysis and citations stay on you.
- Shift pricing on repeatable work. Consider fixed fees, subscriptions for ongoing counsel, or phase-based pricing. Bill for outcomes and judgment, not keystrokes.
- Create a firm AI policy. Define approved tools, use cases, data handling, and review steps. Make it easy to follow and easy to audit.
- Upskill your team. Teach prompt habits, verification steps, and when to stop and pick up the phone. If you need a starting point, see curated options here: AI courses by job.
- Stay aligned with competence duties. Keep tech literacy current under professional responsibility standards. See ABA Model Rule 1.1, Comment 8.
Five Questions to Ask Clients Who Used AI
- What question did you ask the tool, word for word?
- What facts did you provide or leave out?
- Which jurisdiction and timeframe did the tool assume?
- Did it cite any sources? If so, what are they?
- What decision were you planning to make based on that output?
Bottom Line
Clients will keep testing AI before they call you. That won't replace your judgment, but it will reshape first conversations, expectations, and fees. Meet it head-on: probe the AI output, correct course quickly, and price the part of your work that software can't replicate.
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