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Federal Courts Intensify Sanctions for AI-Generated Fake Legal Citations

Recent rulings from Judge Kovner and Special Master Wilner highlight escalating penalties for attorneys and firms failing to verify AI-assisted legal research.

A robot hand places blocks spelling "AI' on a wooden table that also contains law books and a lady justice statue.

Overview

  • Judge Rachel Kovner fined an attorney $1,000 for submitting four nonexistent case citations generated by AI tools, citing violations of Rule 11(b)(2).
  • Special Master Michael Wilner ordered Ellis George LLP and K&L Gates to pay $31,100 after AI-generated fake citations nearly influenced a court ruling.
  • Wilner admitted he was initially persuaded by fabricated citations, underscoring the potential for AI errors to mislead judicial decision-making.
  • Both cases emphasized the judiciary's demand for rigorous verification protocols and the professional responsibility to confirm the validity of legal citations.
  • Sanctions for similar violations across jurisdictions have included monetary fines, disciplinary referrals, and mandatory training on AI use in legal practice.