Latest news with #ButlerSnow
The Guardian
24-05-2025
- The Guardian
Alabama paid a law firm millions to defend its prisons. It used AI and turned in fake citations
In less than a year-and-a-half, Frankie Johnson, a man incarcerated at the William E Donaldson prison outside Birmingham, Alabama, says he was stabbed around 20 times. In December of 2019, Johnson says, he was stabbed 'at least nine times' in his housing unit. In March of 2020, an officer handcuffed him to a desk following a group therapy meeting, and left the unit, after which another prisoner came in and stabbed him five times. In November of the same year, Johnson says, he was handcuffed by an officer and brought to the prison yard, where another prisoner attacked him with an ice pick, stabbing him 'five to six times', as two correctional officers looked on. According to Johnson, one of the officers had actually encouraged his attacker to carry out the assault in retaliation for a previous argument between Johnson and the officer. In 2021, Johnson filed a lawsuit against Alabama prison officials for failing to keep him safe, rampant violence, understaffing, overcrowding and pervasive corruption in Alabama prisons. To defend the case, the Alabama attorney general's office turned to a law firm that for years has been paid millions of dollars by the state to defend its troubled prison system: Butler Snow. State officials have praised Butler Snow for their experience in defending prison cases – and specifically William Lunsford, head of the constitutional and civil rights litigation practice group at the firm. But now, the firm is facing sanctions by the federal judge overseeing Johnson's case after an attorney at the firm, working with Lunsford, cited cases generated by artificial intelligence – which turned out not to exist. It is one of a growing number of instances in which attorneys around the country have faced consequences for including false, AI-generated information in official legal filings. A database attempting to track the prevalence of the cases has identified 106 instances around the globe in which courts have found 'AI hallucinations' in court documents. Last year, an attorney was suspended for one year from practicing law in the federal middle district of Florida, after a committee found he had cited fabricated AI-generated cases. In California earlier this month, a federal judge ordered a firm to pay more than $30,000 in legal fees after they included false AI-generated research in a brief. At a hearing in Birmingham on Wednesday in Johnson's case, the US district judge Anna Manasco said that she was considering a wide range of sanctions – including fines, mandated continuing legal education, referrals to licensing organizations and temporary suspensions – against Butler Snow, after the attorney, Matthew Reeves, used ChatGPT to add false citations to filings related to ongoing deposition and discovery disputes in the case. She suggested that so far, the disciplinary actions that have been meted out around the country have not gone far enough. The current case is 'proof positive that those sanctions were insufficient', she told the lawyers. 'If they were, we wouldn't be here.' During the hearing, attorneys with Butler Snow were effusively apologetic, and said they would accept whatever sanctions Manasco determined were appropriate. They also pointed to a firm policy that requires attorneys to seek approval when using AI for legal research. Reeves attempted to take full responsibility. 'I was aware of the limitations on use [of AI], and in these two instances I did not comply with policy,' Reeves said. 'I would hope your honor would not punish my colleagues.' Attorneys with Butler Snow were appointed by the Alabama attorney general's office and are being paid by the state to defend Jefferson Dunn, the former commissioner of the Alabama department of corrections, in the case. Lunsford, who holds the contract with the state for the case, said that he had begun conducting a review of prior filings to make sure that there weren't more instances of false citations. 'This is very fresh and raw,' Lunsford told Manasco. 'The firm's response to this is not complete yet.' Manasco said that she would allow Butler Snow to file a motion within 10 days to explain what their process will be for addressing the problem before making a decision regarding sanctions. The use of the fake AI citations in the case came to light in relation to a scheduling dispute in the case. Attorneys with Butler Snow had contacted Johnson's attorneys to set up a deposition of Johnson, who is still in prison. Johnson's attorneys objected to the proposed dates, pointing to outstanding documents that they felt they were entitled to prior to Johnson being deposed. But in a court filing on 7 May, Butler Snow countered that case law mandated Johnson be deposed expeditiously. 'The Eleventh Circuit and district courts routinely authorize incarcerated depositions when proper notice is given and the deposition is relevant to claims or defenses, notwithstanding other discovery disputes,' they wrote. The attorneys listed four cases ostensibly backing up their assertion. It turns out they were all made up. While some of the cited cases resembled citations for real cases, none of them were relevant to the issue before the court. For instance, one was for a 2021 case entitled Kelley v City of Birmingham, but according to lawyers for Johnson, 'the sole existing case styled as Kelley v. City of Birmingham that Plaintiff's counsel could identify was decided by the Alabama Court of Appeals in 1939 regarding the resolution of a speeding ticket'. Earlier this week, lawyers for Johnson filed a motion pointing out the fabrications, and suggested they were the product of 'generative artificial intelligence'. They also found another apparently fabricated citation in a prior filing related to a dispute over discovery. The very next day, Manasco scheduled a hearing to determine whether the Butler Snow attorneys should be sanctioned. 'In the light of the seriousness of the accusation, the court has conducted independent searches for each allegedly fabricated citation, to no avail,' she wrote. In a declaration to the court, Reeves said that he had been reviewing the filings that were drafted by a more junior colleague, and wanted to include citations for what he 'believed to be well-established points of law'. 'I knew generally about ChatGPT,' Reeves wrote, continuing that he put in a search for supporting case law he needed for the motions, which 'immediately identified purportedly applicable citations for those points of law'. But in his 'haste to finalize the motions and get them filed', he 'failed to verify the case citations returned by ChatGPT through independent review in Westlaw or Pacer before including them.' 'I sincerely regret this lapse in diligence and judgment,' Reeves wrote. 'I take full responsibility.' Cases in which false AI content is making its way into legal filings appear to be increasing in frequency, said Damien Charlotin, a Paris-based legal researcher and academic who is attempting to track the cases. 'I'm seeing an acceleration,' he said. 'There are so many cases from the past few weeks and months compared to before.' So far, though, the response by courts to the problem has been remarkably lenient, Charlotin said. The more serious sanctions – including large fines and suspensions – tend to come when lawyers fail to take responsibility for their mistakes. 'I don't expect it to last,' Charlotin said. 'I think at some point everyone will be on notice.' In addition to the Johnson case, Lunsford and Butler Snow have contracts to work on several expansive civil rights cases against the Alabama department of corrections – including one brought by the United States Department of Justice under Donald Trump in 2020 that identifies many of the same wide-ranging systemic issues that Johnson pointed to in his suit, and alleges that the conditions violate the eighth amendment prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment. The contract for that case alone was worth nearly $15m dollars over two years at one point. Some Alabama lawmakers have questioned the amount that the state is spending on the firm to defend the cases. But it doesn't appear that the mistake this week has shaken the attorney general's confidence in Lunsford or Butler Snow to continue with their work, so far. On Wednesday, Manasco asked a lawyer with the attorney general's office, who was present at the hearing, whether or not they would stick with Butler Snow. 'Mr Lunsford remains the attorney general's counsel of choice,' he responded.
Reuters
23-05-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Trouble with AI 'hallucinations' spreads to big law firms
May 23 (Reuters) - Another large law firm was forced to explain itself to a judge this week for submitting a court filing with made-up citations generated by an artificial intelligence chatbot. Attorneys from Mississippi-founded law firm Butler Snow apologized to U.S. District Judge Anna Manasco in Alabama after they inadvertently included case citations generated by ChatGPT in two court filings. Butler Snow partner Matthew Reeves said in a Monday filing that he regretted his "lapse in diligence and judgment" for failing to verify the citations. The 400-lawyer firm, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment, is defending former Alabama Department of Corrections Commissioner Jeff Dunn in an inmate's lawsuit alleging he was repeatedly attacked in prison. Dunn has denied wrongdoing. The judge has not yet said whether she will impose sanctions over the filings. Jamila Mensah of Norton Rose Fulbright, one of the lawyers representing plaintiff Frankie Johnson, declined to comment. AI-generated fictions, known as "hallucinations," have cropped up in court filings and landed attorneys in hot water ever since ChatGPT and other generative AI programs became widely available more than two years ago. Courts have sanctioned and admonished attorneys around the country for violating professional rules that require them to vet their work however it is produced. Many of the cases have involved small law firms or self-represented litigants. But examples of big firms or big companies grappling with AI hallucinations are growing. Last week a lawyer at law firm Latham & Watkins, which is defending AI company Anthropic in a copyright lawsuit related to music lyrics, apologized to a California federal judge after submitting, opens new tab an expert report that cited an article title invented by AI. Lawyers for the music publishers suing Anthropic have asked the judge to exclude the report. The judge has not yet ruled on the request. Earlier this month, a court-appointed special master imposed sanctions, opens new tab and ordered law firm K&L Gates and a smaller firm, Ellis George, to pay $31,100 for what he called a "collective debacle" in which they included inaccurate case citations and quotations stemming from the use of AI in a filing. Lawyers from the two firms are representing former Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey in a dispute with insurance giant State Farm. A spokesperson for K&L Gates and a lawyer at Ellis George did not immediately respond to requests for comment. State Farm and its lawyers at Sheppard Mullin did not immediately respond to similar requests. The special master, retired judge Michael Wilner, wrote in the order that he had been "affirmatively misled" by the filing. "I read their brief, was persuaded (or at least intrigued) by the authorities that they cited, and looked up the decisions to learn more about them – only to find that they didn't exist," he wrote. "That's scary." Daniel Linna, a senior lecturer and director of law and technology initiatives at Northwestern's law and engineering schools, said the inclusion of AI-generated fabrications in court briefs is in part a result of a lack of education and training. Despite the perils, AI also has the potential to increase the quality of legal briefs and improve access to justice, he said.
Global News
22-05-2025
- Global News
U.S. judge considers sanctions against attorneys in prison case for using AI in court filings
A U.S. federal judge said Wednesday that she is considering sanctions against lawyers with a high-priced firm hired to defend Alabama's prison system after ChatGPT was used to write two court filings that included nonexistent case citations. U.S. District Judge Anna Manasco held a hearing in Birmingham to question attorneys with the Butler Snow firm about the filings. She said there were five false citations in two filings in federal court. Manasco said that nationally, there have been broad warnings from courts about the use of artificial intelligence to generate legal filings because of the potential for inaccuracies. Manasco said she is considering a range of sanctions, including fines. She gave the firm 10 days to file a brief with the court. Butler Snow lawyers repeatedly apologized during the hearing. They said a firm partner, Matt Reeves, used ChatGPT to research supporting case law but did not verify the information before adding it to two filings with the federal court. Those citations turned out to be 'hallucinations' — meaning incorrect citations — by the AI system, they said. Four attorneys signed the filings with the information, including Reeves. Story continues below advertisement 2:15 First Canadian court case over AI-generated court filings 'Butler Snow is embarrassed by what happened here, which was against good judgment and firm policy. There is no excuse for using ChatGPT to obtain legal authority and failing to verify the sources it provided, even if to support well founded principles of law,' firm lawyers wrote in a response to the judge. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Reeves told the judge that he alone was responsible for the false citations and that, 'I would hope your honor would not punish my colleagues.' Alabama has paid millions of dollars to the firm to defend the state prison system and its officials in lawsuits. That includes representing the state as a defendant in a Department of Justice lawsuit alleging that male inmates live in violent and cruel conditions. The filings in question were made in a lawsuit filed by an inmate who was stabbed on multiple occasions at the William E. Donaldson Correctional Facility in Jefferson County. It alleges that prison officials are failing to keep inmates safe. Story continues below advertisement Manasco also questioned Bill Lunsford, head of the Butler Snow division that handles prison litigation, who signed the filings. Alabama's attorney general has appointed Lunsford as a deputy attorney general because he represents the state in court. Lunsford wrote in a response to the judge that he scanned over the documents before filing them but did not do a detailed review since it had been reviewed by Reeves. He told the judge that the firm has been proactive in warning lawyers about the limitations of artificial intelligence.
22-05-2025
Judge considers sanctions against attorneys in prison case for using AI in court filings
BIRMINGHAM, Ala, -- A federal judge said Wednesday that she is considering sanctions against lawyers with a high-priced firm hired to defend Alabama's prison system after ChatGPT was used to write two court filings that included nonexistent case citations. U.S. District Judge Anna Manasco held a hearing in Birmingham to question attorneys with the Butler Snow firm about the filings. She said there were five false citations in two filings in federal court. Manasco said that nationally, there have been broad warnings from courts about the use of artificial intelligence to generate legal filings because of the potential for inaccuracies. Manasco said she is considering a range of sanctions, including fines. She gave the firm 10 days to file a brief with the court. Butler Snow lawyers repeatedly apologized during the hearing. They said a firm partner, Matt Reeves, used ChatGPT to research supporting case law but did not verify the information before adding it to two filings with the federal court. Those citations turned out to be 'hallucinations' — meaning incorrect citations — by the AI system, they said. Four attorneys signed the filings with the information, including Reeves. 'Butler Snow is embarrassed by what happened here, which was against good judgment and firm policy. There is no excuse for using ChatGPT to obtain legal authority and failing to verify the sources it provided, even if to support well founded principles of law,' firm lawyers wrote in a response to the judge. Reeves told the judge that he alone was responsible for the false citations and that, 'I would hope your honor would not punish my colleagues.' Alabama has paid millions of dollars to the firm to defend the state prison system and its officials in lawsuits. That includes representing the state as a defendant in a Department of Justice lawsuit alleging that male inmates live in violent and cruel conditions. The filings in question were made in a lawsuit filed by an inmate who was stabbed on multiple occasions at the William E. Donaldson Correctional Facility in Jefferson County. It alleges that prison officials are failing to keep inmates safe. Manasco also questioned Bill Lunsford, head of the Butler Snow division that handles prison litigation, who signed the filings. Alabama's attorney general has appointed Lunsford as a deputy attorney general because he represents the state in court. Lunsford wrote in a response to the judge that he scanned over the documents before filing them but did not do a detailed review since it had been reviewed by Reeves. He told the judge that the firm has been proactive in warning lawyers about the limitations of artificial intelligence.
See - Sada Elbalad
22-05-2025
- Politics
- See - Sada Elbalad
US Lawyers Face Penalty for ChatGPT Citations
Israa Farhan A high-profile US law firm representing Alabama's prison system is under scrutiny after one of its attorneys used ChatGPT to prepare legal documents that included fabricated case citations. A federal judge in Birmingham, Michigan, is now considering sanctions against the firm, highlighting growing concerns over the unverified use of artificial intelligence in legal proceedings. During a court hearing, Judge Anna Manasco revealed that one of the firm's attorneys submitted two legal memoranda containing references to non-existent case law. The lawyer, identified as Matt Reeves, admitted to using ChatGPT to assist with legal research but failed to verify the information before including it in official court documents. Judge Manasco expressed concern over the issue, noting that courts across the country have already issued warnings about relying on AI-generated content for legal filings due to the risk of misinformation. She said she is reviewing a range of potential penalties, including financial sanctions, and has given the firm ten days to respond with a formal legal brief. The documents in question, signed by four attorneys including Reeves, contained what are referred to as AI 'hallucination.' During the hearing, lawyers from the firm Butler Snow repeatedly apologized, acknowledging that the use of ChatGPT without proper verification violated both sound judgment and the firm's internal policies. In a statement submitted to the court, the firm admitted embarrassment over the incident and reiterated that there is no excuse for referencing AI-generated legal precedent without independently confirming the sources. Reeves took full responsibility for the erroneous citations, telling the judge that the decision was his alone and that his colleagues should not be penalized for the mistake. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Egypt confirms denial of airspace access to US B-52 bombers News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Arts & Culture Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's $4.7M LA Home Burglarized Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies
