How could the NY State Bar Association's AI guidelines affect Greenberg Traurig?
AI guidelines may force Greenberg Traurig to change billing and compliance practices The guidelines issued by the New York State Bar Association require law firms to fundamentally adjust how they bill clients when using AI tools. Specifically, lawyers are told not to bill clients for time saved by using artificial intelligence. Furthermore, while the cost of buying and maintaining AI software can be passed along as a disbursement, it must be tied to a specific client matter and fully disclosed to the client. These rules also place responsibility on supervising lawyers to ensure subordinates comply with ethical standards regarding confidentiality and unauthorized practice.
- Effect
- Mild negative
- How direct
- Brind's reasoning
- When
- Within weeks
- The story
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How it reaches Greenberg Traurig
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The New York State Bar Association released guidelines governing the use of artificial intelligence in legal practice. The guidelines prohibit lawyers from billing clients for time saved by AI tools or time spent learning how to use them. The cost of purchasing and maintaining such software may be passed to clients as a disbursement, provided it is disclosed and tied to a specific client matter.
The full event1independent outlet -
The guidelines state that lawyers should not bill clients for time saved by using AI tools. Additionally, the cost of buying and maintaining such software can only be passed along as a disbursement if the basis for the charge has been disclosed and is tied to a specific client matter.
No report states this step directly. Brind drew it from the reporting on each side of it, so treat it as an informed guess.
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U.S.-based law firm
Everything about Greenberg Traurig
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The facts so far
As reported. Each one links to where it comes from.
- Lawyers should not bill clients for time saved by AIabajournal.com
- AI software costs can be passed as a disbursement only when tied to a specific client matter and when the basis for the charge has been disclosedabajournal.com
- Supervising lawyers remain responsible for their subordinates’ complianceabajournal.com
- The guidelines caution against building tools that deliver automated legal services in ways that could amount to unauthorized practiceabajournal.com
Why it matters
For large law firms like Greenberg Traurig, AI adoption is a major driver of operational efficiency and cost reduction. These guidelines directly challenge traditional billing models, requiring firms to rethink how they monetize the time saved by technology. Compliance with these rules is critical, as failure to adhere could lead to ethical violations or professional sanctions.
The guidelines address broader industry concerns, including the risk of biased training data deepening inequities and the severe risk of confidentiality breaches if AI tools mix client information. This sets a new standard for ethical AI use in the legal profession, forcing all firms operating under the jurisdiction to adapt their technology policies and internal oversight mechanisms.
What we don't know yet
- Will other state bar associations adopt similar guidelines regarding AI billing and usage?
- How quickly can large law firms implement new internal policies to ensure compliance with the confidentiality rules?
Is this still moving?
- Reports
- 2
- Developments
- 1
- Repetition
- 50%
What would change this answer
Who else could feel it
Other possible ripples from the same event.
Reporting
- abajournal.comTuesday
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Brind's analysis is written by AI from the reporting linked above and can be wrong. This explainer is a possibility worth considering, not a forecast: steps marked as Brind's reasoning are not stated in the reporting. It is not investment advice; do your own research.