A brewing scandal in an Alabama courtroom involving high-powered attorneys from Butler Snow LLP could have far-reaching consequences for a long-standing lawsuit about Baltimore jail conditions. The controversy centers around the firm’s improper use of generative artificial intelligence, specifically ChatGPT, in legal filings.
Four Butler Snow attorneys recently issued apologies in court documents for what they described as an ‘extremely poor lapse in judgment.’ The AI-generated legal motions contained fabricated case citations that didn’t actually exist. This incident has put the law firm under scrutiny, particularly since two of the attorneys involved, Matt Reeves and William Lunsford, are representing Maryland in its effort to exit a legal settlement and ongoing monitoring related to healthcare and mental health services in Baltimore jails.
The Alabama judge is considering sanctions against Butler Snow, including fines, referrals to the state bar, and potential temporary suspensions for the attorneys. This situation could lead to significant reputational damage and loss of business for the firm, as well as erosion of trust from clients, including Maryland.
Jay Knight, a professor at the University of Baltimore School of Law who studies AI use by attorneys, described the situation as a ‘firestorm’ that could be devastating for Butler Snow. He noted that opposing attorneys could use this incident to their advantage in future cases, potentially damaging the firm’s credibility.
The Maryland Attorney General’s office has maintained its contract with Butler Snow, despite the controversy. Since hiring the firm, Maryland has been billed approximately $776,712. The state’s decision to retain Butler Snow was made under the previous attorney general and governor, and current Attorney General Anthony Brown has continued this arrangement.
Butler Snow’s work in defending prison conditions has garnered attention across the South. In Maryland, the firm was tasked with bringing an end to litigation that began before the state took over city jails in 1991. Despite the high costs and minimal results so far, the state has continued to work with the firm.
In their apology, Butler Snow attorneys acknowledged that their use of ChatGPT without verifying its answers was ‘unacceptable, embarrassing, and does not reflect the high regard we have for the court, the judicial system, and all parties and counsel of record.’ Reeves, who used ChatGPT for legal research, admitted to failing to verify the case citations generated by the AI.
The situation highlights the risks of relying on AI tools in legal proceedings without proper oversight and verification. As the Alabama judge considers sanctions, the outcome could have significant implications for Butler Snow and its clients, including Maryland, which has already spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on the firm’s services with limited results.
