ABA Issues Comprehensive Formal Ethics Opinion on Lawyers’ Use of Generative AI
By Kristen Niven on the Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz Technology blog, January 27, 2025
The American Bar Association (“ABA”) Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility published its first Formal Opinion on lawyers’ use of generative artificial intelligence (GAI).
Formal Opinion 512, issued on July 29, 2024 (the “Opinion”), draws on previous ABA opinions on the use of new technologies in the practice of law, as well as more recent state bar association ethics opinions on GAI. Since the Opinion was issued, other ethics committees, including the New York City Bar Association Committee on Professional Ethics have issued guidance on the issue. Among other things, the Opinion aggregates and expands on the ethics issues raised over the last several years as GAI gained visibility and use in legal practice.
