Word of the Week: Synthetic Data 🧑‍💻⚖️

What Is Synthetic Data?

Synthetic data is information that is generated by algorithms to mimic the statistical properties of real-world data, but it contains no actual client or case details. For lawyers, this means you can test software, train AI models, or simulate legal scenarios without risking confidential information or breaching privacy regulations. Synthetic data is not “fake” in the sense of being random or useless—it is engineered to be realistic and valuable for analysis.

How Synthetic Data Applies to Lawyers

• Privacy Protection: Synthetic data allows law firms to comply with strict privacy laws like GDPR and CCPA by removing any real personal identifiers from the datasets used in legal tech projects.

• AI Training: Legal AI tools need large, high-quality datasets to learn and improve. Synthetic data fills gaps when real data is scarce, sensitive, or restricted by regulation.

• Software Testing: When developing or testing new legal software, synthetic data lets you simulate real-world scenarios without exposing client secrets or sensitive case details.

• Cost and Efficiency: It is often faster and less expensive to generate synthetic data than to collect, clean, and anonymize real legal data.

Lawyers know your data source; your license could depend on it!

📢

Lawyers know your data source; your license could depend on it! 📢

Synthetic Data vs. Hallucinations

• Synthetic Data: Created on purpose, following strict rules to reflect real-world patterns. Used for training, testing, and developing legal tech tools. It is transparent and traceable; you know how and why it was generated.

• AI Hallucinations: Occur when an AI system generates information that appears plausible but is factually incorrect or entirely fabricated. In law, this can mean made-up case citations, statutes, or legal arguments. Hallucinations are unpredictable and can lead to serious professional risks if not caught.

Key Difference: Synthetic data is intentionally crafted for safe, ethical, and lawful use. Hallucinations are unintentional errors that can mislead and cause harm.

Why Lawyers Should Care

• Compliance: Using synthetic data helps you stay on the right side of privacy and data protection laws.

• Risk Management: It reduces the risk of data breaches and regulatory penalties.

• Innovation: Enables law firms to innovate and improve processes without risking client trust or confidentiality.

• Professional Responsibility: Helps lawyers avoid the dangers of relying on unverified AI outputs, which can lead to sanctions or reputational damage.

Lawyers know your data source; your license could depend on it!

ILTACON 2025 Opening: Navigating the Legal Tech Treasure Trove ⚓

Get your legal tech plunder at #ILTACON2025

Ahoy, legal tech voyagers! ⛵ ILTACON 2025 has officially set sail at the magnificent Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland, and what a spectacular opening it's been. From August 10-14, over 4,000 legal professionals interested in legal technology are charting their course through the most comprehensive bounty of legal tech innovations ever assembled.

This year's pirate theme couldn't be more fitting. Legal professionals have truly become modern-day treasure hunters, seeking out the digital gold that will transform their practices. The opening reception on Monday morning perfectly captured this spirit, with maritime merriment setting the tone for what promises to be an extraordinary week of discovery.

Among the distinguished crew of attendees, we spotted previous podcast guest Stephen Embry, the brilliant mind behind the TechLaw Crossroads blog and former chair of the American Bar Association’s Law Practice Division. His insights on artificial intelligence adoption and legal technology competency continue to guide practitioners navigating the choppy waters of digital transformation. Also making waves is Brett Burney, Vice President of NextPoint Law Group, whose expertise in bridging the chasm between legal and technology frontiers has made him a sought-after guide for firms embracing Discovery solutions.

The exhibit hall, themed as the "Pirate's Bounty," features over 225 vendors displaying their technological treasures. From AI-powered legal research tools to advanced case management systems, the bounty available to legal professionals has never been more abundant. The challenge isn't finding technology—it's selecting the right tools that will genuinely enhance practice efficiency without overwhelming existing workflows.

What makes ILTACON unique is its peer-driven approach to education. Unlike vendor-heavy conferences, ILTACON sessions are crafted by practitioners who have firsthand experience with the challenges facing legal technology professionals. This year's 80+ educational sessions span eight focus areas, ensuring every legal professional finds relevant insights to take back to their firm.

For firms with limited to moderate technology skills, ILTACON provides the perfect environment to learn from peers who have successfully navigated similar challenges. The networking opportunities alone justify the investment, as connections made here often lead to solutions for specific practice challenges.

The pirate theme extends beyond mere decoration—it represents the adventurous spirit required to succeed in today's legal technology landscape. Legal professionals must be willing to explore uncharted territories, test new solutions, and occasionally take calculated risks to discover the innovations that will give their practices a competitive edge.

#ILTACON2025

As we sail through this week of discovery, remember that the real treasure isn't the technology itself—it's the enhanced client service, improved efficiency, and competitive advantages these tools provide when properly implemented.

May fair winds fill your sails as you navigate this legal tech treasure trove! ⚓

#ILTACON2025

🚨 BOLO: Critical Chrome Zero-Day Security Alert for Legal Professionals 🚨

URGENT: Chrome Zero-Day CVE-2025-6558 Impacts Law Firms

🚨

URGENT: Chrome Zero-Day CVE-2025-6558 Impacts Law Firms 🚨

Critical browser flaw affects Windows & Apple devices. Attackers escape Chrome's sandbox via malicious web pages. ACTIVELY EXPLOITED.

Lawyers its generally a good idea to keep your software up-to-date in order to prevent security risks!

🔍 WHAT THIS MEANS IN PLAIN TERMS:
Your browser normally acts like a protective barrier between dangerous websites and your computer's files. This vulnerability is like a secret door that bypasses that protection. When you visit a compromised website, even legitimate sites that have been hacked, criminals can potentially access your client files, emails, and sensitive data without you knowing. The attack happens silently in the background while you browse normally.

⚠️ ACTION REQUIRED:

• Update Chrome to v138+ immediately

• Update Safari on Apple devices

• Review cybersecurity protocols

🚨Legal Risks:
✓ Client confidentiality breaches
✓ ABA ethical violations
✓ Malpractice liability
✓ Trust account exposure

Don't wait - update NOW!

🎙️ Ep. 117: Legal Tech Revolution, How Dorna Moini Built Gavel.ai to Transform the Practice of Law with AI and Automation.

Dorna Moini, CEO and Founder of Gavel, discusses how generative AI is transforming the way legal professionals work. She explains how Gavel helps lawyers automate their work, save time, and reach more clients without needing to know how to code. In the conversation, she shares the top three ways AI has improved Gavel's tools and operations. She also highlights the most significant security risks that lawyers should be aware of when using AI tools. Lastly, she provides simple tips to ensure AI-generated results are accurate and reliable, as well as how to avoid false or misleading information.

Join Dorna and me as we discuss the following three questions and more!

1. What are the top three ways generative AI has transferred Gavel's offerings and operations?

2. What are the top three most critical security concerns legal professionals should be aware of when using AI-integrated products like Gavel?

3. What are the top three ways to ensure the accuracy and reliability of AI-generated results, including measures to prevent false or misleading information or hallucinations?

In our conversation, we cover the following:

[01:16] Dorna's Tech Setup and Upgrades

[03:56] Discussion on Computer and Smartphone Upgrades

[08:31] Exploring Additional Tech and Sleeping Technology

[09:32] Generative AI's Impact on Gavel's Operations

[13:13] Critical Security Concerns in AI-Integrated Products

[16:44] Playbooks and Redline Capabilities in Gavel Exec

[20:45] Contact Information

Resources: 

Connect with Dorna:

• Instagram: instagram.com/dorna_at_gavel

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/documentautomation/

• Website:gavel.io/ 

Websites & SaaS Products:

• Apple Podcasts — Podcast platform (for reviews)

• Apple Podcasts — Podcast platform (for reviews)

• ChatGPT — AI conversational assistant by OpenAI

• ChatGPT — AI conversational assistant by OpenAI

• Gavel — AI-powered legal automation platform (formerly Documate)

• Gavel Exec — AI assistant for legal document review and redlining (part of Gavel)

• MacRumors — Apple news and product cycle information

• MacRumors — Apple news and product cycle information

• Notion — Workspace for notes, databases, and project management

• Notion — Workspace for notes, databases, and project management

• Slack — Team communication and collaboration platform 

Hardware:

• Apple iPhone 15 — Smartphone

• Apple Mac Mini — Compact desktop computer

• Apple Mac Studio — Desktop computer

• Apple MacBook Pro — Laptop computer

• Eight Sleep — Smart mattress and sleep technology

Other:

• Apple Business Account — For business purchases and trade-ins

MTC: AI Governance Crisis - What Every Law Firm Must Learn from 1Password's Eye-Opening Security Research

The legal profession stands at a crossroads. Recent research commissioned by 1Password reveals four critical security challenges that should serve as a wake-up call for every law firm embracing artificial intelligence. With 79% of legal professionals now using AI tools in some capacity while only 10% of law firms have formal AI governance policies, the disconnect between adoption and oversight has created unprecedented vulnerabilities that could compromise client confidentiality and professional liability.

The Invisible AI Problem in Law Firms

The 1Password study's most alarming finding mirrors what law firms are experiencing daily: only 21% of security leaders have full visibility into AI tools used in their organizations. This visibility gap is particularly dangerous for law firms, where attorneys and staff may be uploading sensitive client information to unauthorized AI platforms without proper oversight.

Dave Lewis, Global Advisory CISO at 1Password, captured the essence of this challenge perfectly: "We have closed the door to AI tools and projects, but they keep coming through the window!" This sentiment resonates strongly with legal technology experts who observe attorneys gravitating toward consumer AI tools like ChatGPT for legal research and document drafting, often without understanding the data security implications.

The parallel to law firm experiences is striking. Recent Stanford HAI research revealed that even professional legal AI tools produce concerning hallucination rates—Westlaw AI-Assisted Research showed a 34% error rate, while Lexis+ AI exceeded 17%. (Remember my editorial/bolo MTC/🚨BOLO🚨: Lexis+ AI™️ Falls Short for Legal Research!) These aren't consumer chatbots but professional tools marketed to law firms as reliable research platforms.

Four Critical Lessons for Legal Professionals

First, establish comprehensive visibility protocols. The 1Password research shows that 54% of security leaders admit their AI governance enforcement is weak, with 32% believing up to half of employees continue using unauthorized AI applications. Law firms must implement SaaS governance tools to identify AI usage across their organization and document how employees are actually using AI in their workflows.

Second, recognize that good intentions create dangerous exposures. The study found that 63% of security leaders believe the biggest internal threat is employees unknowingly giving AI access to sensitive data. For law firms handling privileged attorney-client communications, this risk is exponentially greater. Staff may innocently paste confidential case details into AI tools, potentially violating client confidentiality rules and creating malpractice liability.

Third, address the unmanaged AI crisis immediately. More than half of security leaders estimate that 26-50% of their AI tools and agents are unmanaged. In legal practice, this could mean AI agents are interacting with case management systems, client databases, or billing platforms without proper access controls or audit trails—a compliance nightmare waiting to happen.

Fourth, understand that traditional security models are inadequate. The research emphasizes that conventional identity and access management systems weren't designed for AI agents. Law firms must evolve their access governance strategies to include AI tools and create clear guidelines for how these systems should be provisioned, tracked, and audited.

Beyond Compliance: Strategic Imperatives

The American Bar Association's Formal Opinion 512 established clear ethical frameworks for AI use, but compliance requires more than policy documents. Law firms need proactive strategies that enable AI benefits while protecting client interests.

Effective AI governance starts with education. Most legal professionals aren't thinking about AI security risks in these terms. Firms should conduct workshops and tabletop exercises to walk through potential scenarios and develop incident response protocols before problems arise.

The path forward doesn't require abandoning AI innovation. Instead, it demands extending trust-based security frameworks to cover both human and machine identities. Law firms must implement guardrails that protect confidential information without slowing productivity—user-friendly systems that attorneys will actually follow.

Final Thoughts: The Competitive Advantage of Responsible AI Adoption

Firms that proactively address these challenges will gain significant competitive advantages. Clients increasingly expect their legal counsel to use technology responsibly while maintaining the highest security standards. Demonstrating comprehensive AI governance builds trust and differentiates firms in a crowded marketplace.

The research makes clear that security leaders are aware of AI risks but under-equipped to address them. For law firms, this awareness gap represents both a challenge and an opportunity. Practices that invest in proper AI governance now will be positioned to leverage these powerful tools confidently while their competitors struggle with ad hoc approaches.

The legal profession's relationship with AI has fundamentally shifted from experimental adoption to enterprise-wide transformation. The 1Password research provides a roadmap for navigating this transition securely. Law firms that heed these lessons will thrive in the AI-augmented future of legal practice.

MTC

📖 Word of the Week: Travel Converter vs. Travel Adapter

lawyers need to know the difference between travel adapters v. travel converters when they go overseas!

If your legal practice takes you beyond borders, understanding the difference between a travel converter and a travel adapter can protect both your tech investments and casework productivity. In many law offices, especially those with moderate technology exposure, these small devices often seem interchangeable; yet, their functions are quite different and critical for global legal engagements.

A travel adapter lets you plug your device into a foreign socket by reshaping your plug to fit the local outlet type. Adapters, however, do not change the local voltage. That means your laptop or phone charger will connect, but the electricity passing through remains at the voltage standard of the country you are in. Since most modern electronics, such as laptops, smartphones, and tablets, are dual-voltage (able to handle 100–240V), attorneys typically need only an appropriate adapter for these everyday tech tools.

A travel converter steps in when you need to change the actual voltage from the wall. American devices, such as hair dryers or some older law office equipment, may only be rated for 110V. If you plug these into a 220V outlet abroad with only an adapter, you risk damaging both the device and possibly your law firm’s reputation for being detail-oriented. A converter safely transforms the foreign voltage to match your device’s needs, ensuring you avoid costly mishaps.

lawyers be your firm’s travel warrior - know the type of electrical plug you need when traveling abroad!

How do you know which you need? Check the voltage label on each device. If it lists a range (like 100–240V), an adapter will suffice. If it’s fixed (like “120V only”), you must use a converter in countries with higher voltages, which is common across Europe and Asia. For attorneys on the move, a universal adapter set and a small, reliable converter can prevent technical disruptions during critical casework, presentations, or evidentiary document reviews.

Law office takeaway: Adapters make devices fit; converters make power safe. Read your device labels before you leave and never assume one solution works everywhere. Bring both if uncertain—being overprepared is a legal virtue. Safe travels and seamless connectivity! ✈️⚖️

Happy Lawyering!

MTC: Trump's 28-Page AI Action Plan - Reshaping Legal Practice, Client Protection, and Risk Management in 2025 ⚖️🤖

The July 23, 2025, release of President Trump's comprehensive "Winning the Race: America's AI Action Plan" represents a watershed moment for the legal profession, fundamentally reshaping how attorneys will practice law, protect client interests, and navigate the complex landscape of AI-enabled legal services. This 28-page blueprint, containing over 90 federal policy actions across three strategic pillars, promises to accelerate AI adoption while creating new challenges for legal professionals who must balance innovation with ethical responsibility.

What does Trump’s ai action plan mean for the practice of law?

Accelerated AI Integration and Deregulatory Impact

The Action Plan's aggressive deregulatory stance will dramatically accelerate AI adoption across law firms by removing federal barriers that previously constrained AI development and deployment. The Administration's directive to "identify, revise, or repeal regulations, rules, memoranda, administrative orders, guidance documents, policy statements, and interagency agreements that unnecessarily hinder AI development" will create a more permissive environment for legal technology innovation. This deregulatory approach extends to federal funding decisions, with the plan calling for limiting AI-related federal deemed "burdensome" to AI development.

For legal practitioners, this means faster access to sophisticated AI tools for document review, legal research, contract analysis, and predictive litigation analytics. The plan's endorsement of open-source and open-weight AI models will particularly benefit smaller firms that previously lacked access to expensive proprietary systems. However, this rapid deployment environment places greater responsibility on individual attorneys to implement proper oversight and verification protocols.

Enhanced Client Protection Obligations

The Action Plan's emphasis on "truth-seeking" AI models that are "free from top-down ideological bias" creates new client protection imperatives for attorneys. Under the plan's framework, (at least federal) lawyers must now ensure that AI tools used in client representation meet federal standards for objectivity and accuracy. This requirement aligns with existing ABA Formal Opinion 512, which mandates that attorneys maintain competence in understanding AI capabilities and limitations.

Legal professionals face (continued yet) heightened obligations to protect client confidentiality when using AI systems, particularly as the plan encourages broader AI adoption without corresponding privacy safeguards. Attorneys must implement robust data security protocols and carefully evaluate third-party AI providers' confidentiality protections before integrating these tools into client representations.

Critical Error Prevention and Professional Liability

What are the pros and cons to trump’s new ai plan?

The Action Plan's deregulatory approach paradoxically increases attorneys' responsibility for preventing AI-driven errors and hallucinations. Recent Stanford research reveals that even specialized legal AI tools produce incorrect information 17-34% of the time, with some systems generating fabricated case citations that appear authoritative but are entirely fictitious. The plan's call to adapt the Federal Rules of Evidence for AI-generated material means courts will increasingly encounter authenticity and reliability challenges.

Legal professionals must establish comprehensive verification protocols to prevent the submission of AI-generated false citations or legal authorities, which have already resulted in sanctions and malpractice claims across multiple jurisdictions. The Action Plan's emphasis on rapid AI deployment without corresponding safety frameworks makes attorney oversight more critical than ever for preventing professional misconduct and protecting client interests.

Federal Preemption and Compliance Complexity

Perhaps most significantly, the Action Plan's aggressive stance against state AI regulation creates unprecedented compliance challenges for legal practitioners operating across multiple jurisdictions. President Trump's declaration that "we need one common-sense federal standard that supersedes all states" signals potential federal legislation to preempt state authority over AI governance. This federal-state tension could lead to prolonged legal battles that create uncertainty for attorneys serving clients nationwide.

The plan's directive for agencies to factor state-level AI regulatory climates into federal funding decisions adds another layer of complexity, potentially creating a fractured regulatory landscape until federal preemption is resolved. Attorneys must navigate between conflicting federal deregulatory objectives and existing state AI protection laws, particularly in areas affecting employment, healthcare, and criminal justice, where AI bias concerns remain paramount. (All the while following their start bar ethics rules).

Strategic Implications for Legal Practice

Lawyers must remain vigilAnt when using AI in their work!

The Action Plan fundamentally transforms the legal profession's relationship with AI technology, moving from cautious adoption to aggressive implementation. While this creates opportunities for enhanced efficiency and client service, it also demands that attorneys develop new competencies in AI oversight, bias detection, and error prevention. Legal professionals who successfully adapt to this new environment will gain competitive advantages, while those who fail to implement proper safeguards face increased malpractice exposure and professional liability risks.

The plan's vision of AI-powered legal services requires attorneys to become sophisticated technology managers while maintaining their fundamental duty to provide competent, ethical representation. Success in this new landscape will depend on lawyers' ability to harness AI's capabilities while implementing robust human oversight and quality control measures to protect both client interests and professional integrity.

MTC

🎙️ Ep. #116: Free Versus Paid Legal AI: Conversation with DC Court of Appeals Head Law Librarian Laura Moorer

Laura Moorer, the Law Librarian for the DC Court of Appeals, brings over two decades of experience in legal research, including nearly 14 years with the Public Defender Service for DC. In this conversation, Laura shares her top three tips for crafting precise prompts when using generative AI, emphasizing clarity, specificity, and structure. She also offers insights on how traditional legal research methods—like those used with LexisNexis and Westlaw—can enhance AI-driven inquiries. Finally, Laura offers practical strategies for utilizing generative AI to help lawyers identify and locate physical legal resources, thereby bridging the gap between digital tools and tangible materials.

Join Laura and me as we discuss the following three questions and more!

• What are your top three tips when it comes to precise prompt engineering, your generative AI inquiries?

• What are your top three tips or tricks when it comes to using old-school prompts like those from the days of LexisNexis and Westlaw in your generative AI inquiries?

• What are your top three tips or tricks using generative AI to help lawyers pinpoint actual physical resources?

In our conversation, we cover the following:

[00:40] Laura's Current Tech Setup

[03:27] Top 3 Tips for Crafting Precise Prompts in Generative AI

[13:44] Bringing Old-School Legal Research Tactics to Generative AI Prompting

[20:42] Using Generative AI to Help Lawyers Locate Physical Legal Resources

[24:38] Contact Information

Resources:

Connect with Laura:

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/laura-moorer

• Email: lmoorer@dcappeals.gov

• Instagram: instagram.com/dccalibby/

Mentioned in the episode:

• Libby Visits the DC Courts

• 🔗 https://perma.cc/HXA9-NR8B is an archive of http://intranet.gov/attachment/782039870000/1800539/Libby%20visits%20the%20DC%20Courts%20Story%20BookRS.pdf?type=1 from Wednesday 02, July 2025

Software & Cloud Services mentioned in the conversation:

• AT&T Internet: att.com/internet/

• Bloomberg Law: pro.bloomberglaw.com/

• Fastcase: fastcase.com/

• Internet Archive: archive.org/

• LexisNexis: lexisnexis.com/en-us

• Spectrum Internet: spectrum.com/internet

• vLex: vlex.com/

• Westlaw: legal.thomsonreuters.com/en/westlaw

• WorldCat: worldcat.org/

MTC: Is Puerto Rico’s Professional Responsibility Rule 1.19 Really Necessary? A Technology Competence Perspective.

Is PR’s Rule 1.19 necessary?

The legal profession stands at a crossroads regarding technological competence requirements. With forty states already adopting Comment 8 to Model Rule 1.1, which mandates lawyers "keep abreast of changes in the law and its practice, including the benefits and risks associated with relevant technology," the question emerges: do we need additional rules like PR Rule 1.19?

Comment 8 to Rule 1.1 establishes clear parameters for technological competence. This amendment, adopted by the ABA in 2012, expanded the traditional duty of competence beyond legal knowledge to encompass technological proficiency. The Rule requires lawyers to understand the "benefits and risks associated with relevant technology" in their practice areas.

The existing framework appears comprehensive. Comment 8 already addresses core technological competencies, including e-discovery, cybersecurity, and client communication systems. Under Rule 1.1 (Comment 5), legal professionals must evaluate whether their technological skills meet "the standards of competent practitioners" without requiring additional regulatory layers.

However, implementation challenges persist. Many attorneys struggle with the vague standard of "relevant technology". The rule's elasticity means that competence requirements continuously evolve in response to technological advancements. Some jurisdictions, like Puerto Rico (see PR’s Supreme Court’s Order ER-2025-02 approving adoption of its full set of Rules of Professional Conduct, have created dedicated technology competence rules (Rule 1.19) to provide clearer guidance.

The verdict: redundancy without added value. Rather than creating overlapping rules, the legal profession should focus on robust implementation of existing Comment 8 requirements. Enhanced continuing legal education mandates, clearer interpretive guidance, and practical competency frameworks would better serve practitioners than additional regulatory complexity.

Technology competence is essential, but regulatory efficiency should guide our approach. 🚀