Several state bar associations and regulatory bodies have issued formal ethics opinions, task force reports, or practical guidance regarding the use of generative AI (Artificial Intelligence) in the practice of law. While not an exhaustive list, we have attempted to list the most relevant documents here. We will attempt to keep this list up to date as we become aware of additional resources.

The opinions, etc. focus on the use of generative AI to review and draft documents. Common themes across these jurisdictions include the duty of competence (understanding the technology), confidentiality (not entering client secrets into public AI models), and supervision/verification (lawyers must verify all AI outputs for accuracy).

Here is the list of state bar associations that have issued specific guidance:

California

• Issuing Body: The State Bar of California

• Document: Practical Guidance for the Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence in the Practice of Law

• Summary: Issued in late 2023, this comprehensive guide addresses duties of confidentiality, competence, and candor. It specifically warns against inputting confidential client information into non-secure AI tools and requires lawyers to review all AI-generated work product. The Bar suggests that, "this Practical Guidance should be read as guiding principles rather than as 'best practices.'"

• Link: California State Bar Practical Guidance

District of Columbia

• Issuing Body: D.C. Bar Legal Ethics Committee

• Document: Ethics Opinion 388: Ethics Issues in the Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence

• Summary: Released in April 2024, this opinion emphasizes that lawyers must have a "reasonable understanding" of the technology's capabilities and limitations (specifically hallucinations) and must protect client confidences when using generative AI tools. The opinion make sthe important distinction that, "Lawyers should understand that GAI [generative AI] products are not search engines that accurately report hits on existing data in a constantly updated database. The information available to a GAI product is confined to the dataset on which the GAI has been trained."

• Link: D.C. Bar Ethics Opinion 388

Florida

• Issuing Body: The Florida Bar Board of Governors

• Document: Advisory Opinion 24-1

• Summary: Approved in January 2024, this opinion permits the use of generative AI but mandates that lawyers verify the accuracy of the work product, ensure confidentiality (recommending client consent for third-party AI use involving confidential data), and avoid improper billing practices (e.g., double-billing). The opinion also addresses the use of AI chatbots on attorney websites, advising that, "generative AI chatbots that communicate with clients or third parties must comply with restrictions on lawyer advertising..."

• Link: Florida Bar Advisory Opinion 24-1

Illinois

• Issuing Body: Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission (ARDC) of the Supreme Court of Illinois

• Document: The Illinois Attorney’s Guide to Implementing AI

• Summary: Released in late 2025, this guide serves as a practical resource for implementing AI in alignment with ethical duties, including flowcharts and checklists for vetting AI tools.

• Link: ARDC Illinois Attorney's Guide 

Kentucky

• Issuing Body: Kentucky Bar Association

• Document: Ethics Opinion KBA E-457

• Summary: Issued in March 2024, this opinion provides a FAQ-style guide on competence, confidentiality, and billing. It reinforces the lawyer's duty to review the AI output for accuracy and clarifies that lawyers cannot bill for the time spent learning how to use AI, only for the actual benefit provided to the client.

• Link: Kentucky Bar Association Ethics Opinions

Michigan

• Issuing Body: State Bar of Michigan Standing Committee on Judicial Ethics

• Document: Ethics Opinion JI-155

• Summary: While primarily focused on judicial officers, this opinion (October 2023) establishes that judges and lawyers must maintain competence with advancing technology, including AI, to ensure fair and accurate legal proceedings.

• Link: State Bar of Michigan Opinion JI-155

New Jersey

• Issuing Body: New Jersey Courts / Supreme Court of New Jersey

• Document: Notice to the Bar: Preliminary Guidelines on the Use of Artificial Intelligence by New Jersey Lawyers

• Summary: Released in January 2024, this notice clarifies that the Rules of Professional Conduct apply to AI. It specifically highlights the duty to verify citations (citing the Mata v. Avianca case) and the prohibition against generating false evidence.

• Link: NJ Courts Preliminary Guidelines (PDF)

New York

• Issuing Body: New York State Bar Association (NYSBA)

• Document: Report and Recommendations of the NYSBA Task Force on Artificial Intelligence

• Summary: An extensive report (April 2024) detailing the impact of AI on the legal profession, offering regulatory guidelines, and suggesting that while no new ethics rules are immediately needed, existing rules (competence, supervision) must be strictly applied.

• Link: Formerly at NYSBA Task Force Report; not currently available online

North Carolina

• Issuing Body: North Carolina State Bar Council

• Document: Formal Ethics Opinion 2024-1

• Summary: Adopted in late 2024, this opinion focuses on the "competency" requirement, stating that a lawyer must understand the risks of "hallucinations" and data privacy before utilizing AI tools in practice, stating plainly, "A lawyer may not abrogate her responsibilities under the Rules of Professional Conduct by relying upon AI."

• Link: NC State Bar 2024 FEO 1

Pennsylvania

• Issuing Body: Pennsylvania Bar Association & Philadelphia Bar Association

• Document: Joint Formal Opinion 2024-200

• Summary: This joint opinion outlines best practices, emphasizing that lawyers "must verify all citations and legal analysis" generated by AI and must be transparent with clients about the use of AI if it significantly impacts the representation. It advises lawyers that, "[i]n particular, the use of AI applies to the lawyer’s duties of (1) confidentiality, (2) competence, (3)
  candor, (4) truthfulness, (5) supervision, (6) communication, (7) conflicts of interest, and (8) the unauthorized practice of law..." 

• Link: PBA Joint Formal Opinion 2024-200

Texas

• Issuing Body: State Bar of Texas Professional Ethics Committee

• Document: Opinion 705

• Summary: (Addressed in early 2025) This opinion confirms that while attorneys may use AI, they are ultimately responsible for the work product. It specifically warns against "unthinking reliance" on AI outputs and mandates rigorous verification of case law. In conclusion, it advises that, "lawyers should acquire basic technological competence before using any generative AI tool, should always ensure that the tool does not imperil confidential client information, should always verify the accuracy of any responses received from a generative AI tool, and should not charge clients for the time “saved” by using a generative AI program."

• Link: Texas Opinion 705

American Bar Association (ABA)

While not a state bar, the ABA's guidance is cited by many states as a baseline.

• Document: ABA Formal Opinion 512 (July 2024)

• Summary: "Lawyers using GAI tools have a duty of competence, including maintaining relevant technological competence, which requires an understanding of the evolving nature of GAI. In using GAI tools, lawyers also have other relevant ethical duties, such as those relating to confidentiality, communication with a client, meritorious claims and contentions, candor toward the tribunal, supervisory responsibilities regarding others in the law office using the technology and those outside the law office providing GAI services, and charging reasonable fees. With the ever-evolving use of technology by lawyers and courts, lawyers must be vigilant in complying with the Rules of Professional Conduct to ensure that lawyers are adhering to their ethical responsibilities and that clients are protected. 

• Link: ABA Formal Opinion 512