This article was originally published by our partner Frontier Law Center and is shared here with permission. For more insights like this, you can find other articles from, Managing Partner, Manny Starr on LinkedIn.
Let's face it—drafting an AI use policy might not be the most glamorous task on your to-do list, but it's a crucial foundation for successfully integrating AI into your law practice. Beyond just managing risk, a well-designed policy actually drives adoption by addressing one of the biggest barriers head-on: fear. When staff have clear guidelines about proper AI use, that initial hesitation transforms into confidence.
A thoughtful AI use policy isn't just about risk management—it's the foundation that lets your firm harness AI's potential confidently and responsibly.
But before we get any further, a quick and obligatory disclaimer: Although I am an enthusiastic early adopter of AI, I'm also just some guy who likes to tinker with technology and happens to run a law firm. This is not legal advice, and I urge you to consult with ethics counsel to tailor your policy to your jurisdiction. Supplement this with resources like state bar guidelines or ABA recommendations to ensure you’re covered.
And with that out of the way...
A great AI use policy balances empowerment with accountability. It’s not about stifling innovation with red tape—it’s about giving your team the green light to use AI effectively while protecting clients, courts, and your firm’s reputation. Here’s a high-level overview of the key sections, drawn from our approach at Frontier Law Center.
Define who’s covered—attorneys, staff, contractors—and what AI use falls under the policy, from client work to operations. Establish core rules: AI outputs require human oversight, and misuse has consequences. This sets a clear tone that AI is a tool to be wielded thoughtfully, with accountability at its core.
Transparency keeps things clean. Require AI-assisted drafts to carry a visible marker—like “AI Generated Document”—until fully reviewed by a human. Consider removing the label once the document has been fully vetted and polished. This ensures nothing slips through unverified.
Client trust is sacred. Your policy should specify which AI tools are approved for use. Do your due diligence on who makes the list by reviewing each provider's data handling practices, security measures, etc.
AI isn’t plug-and-play—it demands skill. Require training so your team understands its benefits, risks, and limits. Emphasize that AI is a starting point, not a substitute for human judgment, and must be critically reviewed.
Commit to adhering to all relevant regulations surrounding AI use, consult with experts and ethics counsel as necessary, regularly update your AI use policy, and provide employees with a channel to communicate concerns about potential misuse within the organization.
Be open with clients about AI’s role—its advantages (speed, insights) and risks (it’s not perfect). Weave this into retainers or discussions to secure their buy-in.
AI saves time, but billing should reflect reality. Charge for actual effort, and disclose any tech costs passed to clients.
For anything court-bound, AI outputs need rigorous vetting—cases, citations, quotes, all of it. Check local rules for disclosure requirements too. This protects your filings and your reputation.
AI can inherit biases from its data. Require reviews to catch and correct anything discriminatory or misaligned.
A strong AI use policy isn’t just a shield—it’s a catalyst. It tells your team, “Explore, innovate, but do it right.” It’s the quiet backbone of an AI-Native law firm. If you want to push AI adoption at your firm, this is where to start.
And one more note: Even with a robust AI use policy, mistakes can still happen. A comprehensive policy is not a free pass, and there is no replacement for constant diligence.
Stay tuned for the next installment in this series.
Learn more about Frontier Law Center here!
Download a template Responsible AI Use Policy from Eve.
