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Regulation Tracker / United States (state)

KBA E-457: The Ethical Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Practice of Law

Kentucky Bar Association Ethics Committee · Kentucky

last revised 2024-03-15last verified 2026-09-031 version

Ethics opinionIn forceCompetenceConfidentialityVerification dutySupervision

Kentucky Bar Association Ethics Opinion E-457, issued 15 March 2024, addresses generative AI under the Kentucky Rules of Professional Conduct. Lawyers may use AI but must be competent in the technology, verify its output, protect client confidences, and supervise staff. There is no mandatory duty to disclose AI use to clients unless the client asks or the use is material.

Applies to
lawyers, firms
Effective
15 Mar 2024
Current version
Original · 15 Mar 2024
Last verified
03 Sept 2026
Official text
kybar.org/Portals/0/Admin/Ethics%20Opinions/KBA%20E-457.pdf

What the document requires

  • Lawyers must understand the AI tools they use and their risks.
  • No mandatory disclosure of AI use to clients absent a client request or material impact on the representation.
  • AI output must be verified before use in client work or court filings.
  • Confidential information requires safeguards before entry into third-party tools.
  • Supervisors are responsible for AI use by subordinate lawyers and nonlawyers.

Version history

VersionDateWhat changedSource
Originalcurrent2024-03-15First version recorded.official

Sources

Cite this record

SafeLegalAI Legal AI Regulation Tracker, "KBA E-457: The Ethical Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Practice of Law" (Kentucky Bar Association Ethics Committee, Original, 2024-03-15), safelegalai.com/regulation/us-state/ky-bar-ethics-opinion-e-457 (accessed 2026-09-04). Data: CC BY 4.0.

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