The Adoption of AI in Legal Practice and Blogging: Lessons from the Illinois Supreme Court

The adoption of legal technology – even legal blogging – has historically been slow in the legal field—but not so with artificial intelligence (AI).

Last month, the Illinois Supreme Court took a step forward by releasing its policy on AI use in courts, effective January 1. With appropriate boundaries, the Court’s policy embraces AI as a valuable tool for lawyers to better serve the public.

Here’s a breakdown of the policy, as highlighted by Wisblawg:

Embracing AI in Legal Practice

The policy states that AI use “should not be discouraged” as long as it complies with legal and ethical standards. This endorsement from a high judicial authority signals that integrating AI into legal workflows is not only permissible but also a means to enhance the quality of service provided to clients and the public.

Maintaining Professional Responsibility

While endorsing AI, the Court emphasizes that judges and attorneys remain fully accountable for their work product, regardless of the technology used. The policy warns against misuse of AI that could result in misleading content, bias, or interference with truth-finding. 

Educational Commitment

The Court commits to supporting continuous education on AI, aligning with the American Bar Association’s guidance on understanding the technology’s capabilities and limitations. 

The Court’s policy strikes a nice balance between innovation and professional standards. The policy is a model for other jurisdictions – to encourage lawyers to integrate AI into their practice.

By embracing AI, legal professionals can improve efficiency, expand access to justice, and deliver better outcomes for clients and the public.

And About AI and Legal Blogging?

When it comes to AI and legal blogging, my guess is the Court would have a similar take.

No other technology in our lifetime has the power of AI. With its ability to enable lawyers to share insights and commentary in niche areas of the law—areas that might otherwise go uncovered—AI can make legal blogging more thorough, efficient, and impactful.

Lawyers should embrace AI in blogging to serve the public, expand access to legal knowledge, and grow their practices. 

Blogging with AI isn’t about shortcuts; it’s about amplifying knowledge of the work you do and making your expertise accessible to those who need it most.