Notice – Legal Practice: Preliminary Guidelines on the Use of Artificial Intelligence by New Jersey Lawyers

Artificial intelligence (AI) includes a variety of rapidly evolving technologies with significant capabilities as well as significant risks. In furtherance of its responsibility to uphold the highest level of professionalism among lawyers, the New Jersey Supreme Court seeks to balance the benefits of innovation while safeguarding against the potential harms of misuse. To that end, the Court here provides preliminary guidelines on the use of AI to support lawyers who practice in New Jersey and the clients who depend on those lawyers.

Supreme Court Committee on AI and the Courts

The Supreme Court Committee on Artificial Intelligence and the Courts, which includes private and public lawyers, as well as judges, Judiciary leaders, technologists, and experts in academia and media, recommended these initial guidelines to support lawyers in continuing to comply with the existing Rules of Professional Conduct (RPCs) and the Rules of Court.

The attached preliminary guidelines are intended to inform and assist lawyers in navigating their ethical responsibilities in light of the current and anticipated effects of AI -- in particular generative AI -- on legal practice.;

Questions and Suggestions

Lawyers with specific questions about their own prospective conduct related to the use of AI should continue to seek direction from the Attorney Ethics Hotline at 609-815-2924 or in writing to Court-Use-ofAl. mbx@njcourts.gov. As always, the identity of lawyers who pose such specific questions will remain confidential. However, the issues raised by such inquiries may inform the development of future, more detailed guidance regarding the ethical use of AI in the practice of law.

While these interim guidelines are effective immediately, the Supreme Court also invites comments and questions on the use of AI in legal practice, including suggestions of potential use cases for lawyers and the courts.

Questions regarding this notice should be directed to the Office of the Administrative Director of the Courts at (609) 376-3000. Written inquiries and any comments on the preliminary guidelines should be submitted via email to Comments.Mailbox@njcourts.gov .