In a recent law.com podcast, David Smith, a Houston-based solo criminal defense attorney, emphasizes the dual advantages of artificial intelligence as a time-saving tool and an ethical imperative in legal practice. Smith reports that AI has enabled him to reclaim approximately 20 hours each week, which he reinvests into business development and refining courtroom strategies. He points to significant time saved in research and drafting as pivotal, particularly highlighting an instance where AI helped him rapidly produce a jury instruction, minimizing edits and meeting tight judicial deadlines.
Smith underscores his view that leveraging AI is integral to his ethical obligations as an attorney, referencing Comment 8 on both Rule 1.1 of the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct and the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct. These guidelines stress the necessity for attorneys to remain current with technological advancements relevant to law practice, including artificial intelligence.