For over a year, we have been using generative artificial intelligence (GAI) tools in the course of our professional activity, both in advisory work and in litigation. Like many legal professionals, and in line with the recommendations of the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe, GAI is viewed as a lever for development and for enhancing the quality of services. After one year, the choice to use these tools has proven to be worthwhile.
We have prioritised GAI tools designed specifically for legal professionals, such as Harvey and Alizé, the use of which allows us to meet our professional duties, including the protection of legal privilege. Public tools are excluded in favour of protected licences that do not use data to train models.
Who uses GAI the most within your firm?
Although it may seem counterintuitive, only experienced associates use it. There are two reasons for this. Training our junior lawyers takes precedence over the efficiency derived from GAI, and the quality of the results obtained with GAI depends largely on the user’s experience and knowledge, both to avoid hallucinations and to refine the quality of prompts (which is essential).
As a litigation specialist yourself, how do you use these tools?
However, GAI has its limitations. It can assist lawyers with simple tasks, but its usefulness remains limited for complex work such as drafting legal opinions or procedural documents.
GAI also presents a challenge to our individual responsibility. For example, we have seen cases of lawyers citing non-existent court decisions, generated by GAI, in legal proceedings. This is self-evident: the legal analysis of a GAI must absolutely be compared to the independent professional judgment of the lawyer.
Our experience is therefore positive, whilst ensuring our using is cautious and measured. GAI does not change the nature of our profession, but it does change certain tools and the pace of work. Our challenge is to integrate innovation responsibly, whilst respecting our obligations and acting in the best interests of our clients.
Philippe Thiebaud, Partner in Litigation, Molitor Avocats à la Cour