What does ABA Formal Opinion 512 require of lawyers using AI?

ABA Formal Opinion 512 (2024) applies existing Model Rules to generative AI: lawyers must have competence in the tools they use (MR 1.1), protect client confidentiality before inputting client information (MR 1.6), communicate about material AI use, supervise…

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

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

ABA Formal Opinion 512 (2024) applies existing Model Rules to generative AI: lawyers must have competence in the tools they use (MR 1.1), protect client confidentiality before inputting client information (MR 1.6), communicate about material AI use, supervise AI as they would non-lawyer assistance (MR 5.1/5.3), charge reasonable fees, and maintain candor. It is duty-based, not a ban. Planisphere can evidence how a legal-AI tool behaves to support the competence and supervision duties; it does not give legal advice or discharge the lawyer's professional obligations.

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.