The Epidemic in Numbers # AI-generated fake legal citations have become a crisis in American courts. What began as an isolated incident in 2023 has exploded into a systemic problem threatening the integrity of legal proceedings.
The legal profession faces unique standard of care challenges as AI tools become ubiquitous in practice. From legal research to document review to contract drafting, AI is transforming how lawyers work, and creating new liability risks. Since the landmark Mata v. Avianca sanctions in June 2023, at least 200+ AI ethics incidents have been documented in legal filings, and every major bar association has issued guidance.