How do I show competence (MR 1.1) in the AI tools my firm uses?

Competence under MR 1.1, as applied by Opinion 512, means understanding a tool's capabilities and limitations well enough to use it responsibly — including its tendency to err or hallucinate — and verifying its output rather than trusting it blindly.…

register 09 · Compliance pins· ABA Formal Op. 512
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Answer.

Evidence / professional-responsibility rule · ABA Formal Op. 512.

Competence under MR 1.1, as applied by Opinion 512, means understanding a tool's capabilities and limitations well enough to use it responsibly — including its tendency to err or hallucinate — and verifying its output rather than trusting it blindly. Documented evaluation of the tool helps demonstrate that understanding. Planisphere produces a reproducible record of how a legal-AI tool behaves, which evidences diligence; it does not certify competence or provide legal advice.

Cite-anchor: ABA Formal Opinion 512 — Generative Artificial Intelligence Tools · Formal Opinion 512 (2024-07-29); Model Rules 1.1, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 3.1/3.3, 5.1/5.3

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The mark behind the answer.

ABA Formal Op. 512 sets the bar an AI output must clear before a tribunal or a client relies on it — reliability, candor…

generative-AI duties · competence · confidentiality · candor · supervision.

→ Full reference for ABA Formal Op. 512

Prepare evidence for ABA Formal Op. 512 review.

First evidence record within 21 days of access · re-runs in a single business day. Planisphere measures model behaviour and emits a reproducible, sha-pinned record — it does not certify, file, or give legal advice.