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Regulation Tracker / United States (state)

Practical Guidance for the Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence in the Practice of Law

State Bar of California (Committee on Professional Responsibility and Conduct) · California

last revised 2023-11-16last verified 2026-09-031 version

GuidanceIn forceVerification dutyConfidentialityDisclosureCompetenceSupervision

Practical guidance approved by the State Bar of California on 16 November 2023, the first state bar guidance on generative AI in the United States. California lawyers must not enter confidential client information into tools without adequate protections, must review and verify all output, should consider disclosing AI use to clients, and may not bill for time not spent.

Applies to
lawyers, firms
Effective
16 Nov 2023
Current version
Original · 16 Nov 2023
Last verified
03 Sept 2026
Official text
www.calbar.ca.gov/legal-professionals/ethics-compliance-practice-resou…

What the document requires

  • Confidential information may not be input into a tool lacking adequate confidentiality and security protections.
  • Lawyers must critically review AI output for accuracy and bias before use.
  • Disclosure to clients of generative AI use is recommended where material to the engagement.
  • Fees must reflect time actually spent; AI efficiency savings cannot be billed as hours.
  • Supervising lawyers must set policies for AI use by subordinate lawyers and staff.

Version history

VersionDateWhat changedSource
Originalcurrent2023-11-16First version recorded.official

Related court incidents on the record

Sources

Cite this record

SafeLegalAI Legal AI Regulation Tracker, "Practical Guidance for the Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence in the Practice of Law" (State Bar of California (Committee on Professional Responsibility and Conduct), Original, 2023-11-16), safelegalai.com/regulation/us-state/ca-state-bar-generative-ai-practical-guidance (accessed 2026-09-04). Data: CC BY 4.0.

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