If you’ve been running a solo or small law firm for any amount of time, you’ve probably felt the shift. Clients want faster results, competition is stiffer, and everywhere you turn someone’s talking about how AI in law is going to change everything.

They’re not wrong.

AI tools are getting smarter, more accessible, and frankly, harder to ignore. From drafting documents to analyzing contracts to automating client intake, they promise what every small firm lawyer dreams of — big wins in less time with less overhead.

But here’s the catch: the same tools that can boost your efficiency can also land you in hot water if you’re not careful. That’s where the ethical traps come in.

So how do you harness the power of AI without risking your reputation, your license, or your clients’ trust?

Let’s talk about it.

Big Wins: How AI Can Make Your Practice Smarter (and Saner)

I’ll be honest. I used to be skeptical about all the hype around AI. But after more than 20 years of running a law practice and now coaching other solo and small firm lawyers, I’ve seen firsthand how powerful these tools can be.

Imagine this: You’re buried under client work. Your assistant is out sick. You still have contracts to review, emails to draft, and follow-ups to handle. With the right AI tools, you can automate intake forms, summarize discovery documents, and even generate first drafts of letters or motions. You’re not replacing legal judgment; you’re speeding up the repetitive stuff.

That means you get time back — time to focus on higher-level strategy, client relationships, or even (imagine this) your personal life.

Solo and small firm attorneys often feel like they’re stuck on a hamster wheel, constantly moving but never catching up. AI can shift that dynamic. When used well, it’s not just about saving time — it’s about delivering more consistent service, increasing billable efficiency, and making your practice more profitable.

But here’s where things get tricky.

Ethical Traps: When Shortcuts Create Long-Term Problems

The ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct haven’t changed just because technology has. As attorneys, we’re still held to high standards of competence, confidentiality, and supervision—even if the “employee” we’re supervising is an algorithm.

Let’s start with Rule 1.1: Competence. If you’re using AI to draft or review documents, you need to understand how the tool works. Blind trust is not a defense. If AI makes a mistake and you miss it, that’s on you. Review carefully anything generated by tools like ChatGPT, Clause, and Perplexity, and make sure what it drafted is accurate, both in the law and the facts it sets forth.

Then there’s Rule 1.6: Confidentiality. Many popular AI platforms like ChatGPT process your input data on remote servers. That means if you’re uploading sensitive client information into a generic AI chatbot without proper safeguards, you could be violating client confidentiality—even unintentionally.

And don’t forget Rule 5.3: Responsibilities Regarding Nonlawyer Assistance. This one’s a bit of a sleeper issue. If your AI tool is doing tasks that a paralegal or clerk might normally do, you’re expected to supervise it to the same degree. After all, it’s not just a tool—it’s part of your workflow. You own the outcome.

Finding the Balance: Smart Use Without Risk

Here’s the good news: You don’t need to fear AI. But you do need to use it wisely.

That starts with understanding what you’re implementing. Vet your tools. Ask how they handle data. Don’t use free or unvetted platforms for client work. Build in checks and balances—have a human review what the AI creates before it ever leaves your office.

Start with low-risk use cases: document formatting, task reminders, basic content creation. As your comfort grows, you can expand. But never outsource your judgment.

In other words, let the machine help, but don’t let it take the wheel.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Get Left Behind—or Caught Off Guard

If you’re running a solo or small law firm, you already know the pressure. You wear a dozen hats. You hustle hard. And yes, you’re always looking for ways to do more with less.

The use of AI in your law practice really can offer big wins — but only if you steer clear of the ethical traps that come with it.

So keep learning. Stay sharp. Don’t be afraid to explore what these tools can do—but never forget the values that brought you into this profession.

Want More?

If you’re interested in learning more about how to integrate AI into your practice safely and effectively — whether through online courses, tech walkthroughs, or live workshops, send me an email. I’d love to help you build a smarter, more profitable, and future-ready firm.

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