So, this is officially my first time interacting with AI. I decided I would try chat GPT as I had never used it before. I decided to start with a question based on what our class is based on - starting your own law practice. This is what I got.
AI responds to “How to start your own law practice”
Starting your own law practice can be a challenging but rewarding endeavor. Here are some steps to help you get started:
Establish your practice area: Determine what area of law you want to specialize in, whether it's criminal defense, family law, real estate, or another field. It's important to choose a practice area that interests you and where you have expertise.
Create a business plan: Develop a business plan that outlines your goals, target market, marketing strategy, and financial projections. This will help you stay focused and organized as you launch your practice.
Obtain necessary licenses and permits: In order to practice law, you'll need to be licensed in your state. Make sure to obtain all necessary licenses and permits before opening your practice.
Set up your office: Find a suitable location for your office, whether it's a traditional brick-and-mortar space or a virtual office. Make sure your office is equipped with the necessary technology and amenities to support your practice.
Build a network: Networking is essential for building a successful law practice. Attend industry events, join professional organizations, and connect with other attorneys in your area to build a strong network of contacts.
Develop a marketing strategy: Create a marketing plan to promote your practice and attract clients. This could include creating a website, using social media, attending networking events, and advertising in local publications.
Manage your finances: Keep track of your expenses, set a budget, and establish billing practices for your clients. Consider hiring a bookkeeper or accountant to help you manage your finances.
Stay organized: As a solo practitioner, you'll need to wear many hats. Stay organized by using practice management software, creating workflows, and setting up systems to manage your caseload effectively.
Starting your own law practice takes hard work, dedication, and perseverance. By following these steps and staying focused on your goals, you can build a successful practice that serves your clients and supports your professional growth.
Honestly, not what I was expecting. It sounds so human, like I could have wrote it (although the AI probably did it better). I guess it was a bit shocking. I was curious to how it would respond to a question surrounding wellbeing and law practice. This is what it gave me!
AI responds to “How to stay happy in law practice”
Find fulfillment in helping others: Remember the impact you have on your clients' lives and the difference you are making in the justice system. Find joy in the service you provide and the positive impact you can have on others.
Practice self-care: Take care of your physical and mental health by making time for exercise, relaxation, and hobbies outside of work. Set boundaries to prevent burnout and prioritize self-care practices that rejuvenate you.
Focus on the positive: Stay positive and focus on the aspects of your work that bring you joy and fulfillment. Celebrate your successes and accomplishments, no matter how small, and maintain a gratitude practice to remind yourself of the good in your life and work.
Surround yourself with supportive colleagues and mentors: Cultivate a strong support system of colleagues, mentors, and friends who understand the challenges of the legal profession and can provide guidance, advice, and encouragement when you need it.
Set realistic goals and priorities: Manage your workload, set realistic goals, and prioritize tasks to prevent feeling overwhelmed and stressed. Break down large tasks into smaller, manageable steps and celebrate your progress along the way.
Seek work-life balance: Strive to find a balance between your work and personal life by setting boundaries, prioritizing self-care, and making time for the things that bring you joy outside of work. Remember that your well-being is essential to your success in your legal career.
Stay connected to your passion for the law: Remember why you chose to pursue a career in law and reconnect with your passion for the legal profession. Stay informed on legal developments, engage in continuing education opportunities, and seek out challenging and stimulating cases that keep you engaged and motivated.
Practice mindfulness and stress management techniques: Incorporate mindfulness and stress management techniques into your daily routine to stay grounded, present, and resilient in the face of challenges. Consider meditation, deep breathing exercises, and mindfulness practices to help you stay calm and focused in the practice of law.
So now, even more thoroughly creeped out. I guess I should be amazed and astounded, but I have to say I’m more skeptical of AI than I am excited about it. Maybe its the amount of original star trek episodes I watched as a kid (and lets face it I still watch them), but I am a bit concerned about AI evolving to replace humans or human work product. I also feel a bit old school, just in my general personality, so this probably contributes to this mind set as well.
Lastly, I tried the prompt that I wrote about last week. I will say this time around, I beat the AI in both quality writing and quantity!
AI responds to “Does size matter in law practice?”
“Size can impact a law practice in several ways. A larger law firm may have more resources, expertise, and experience to handle complex cases or a wider range of legal matters. They may also have a larger network of attorneys and staff to support their clients.
On the other hand, a smaller law practice may offer more personalized attention and tailored legal solutions to clients. Smaller firms may also be more flexible and able to provide creative and cost-effective legal strategies. Additionally, clients may feel more valued and have direct access to the attorneys working on their case in a smaller firm.
Ultimately, the importance of size in a law practice depends on the specific needs and preferences of the client. Some clients may prefer the resources and reputation of a larger firm, while others may prioritize the personalized attention and relationship with their attorney in a smaller practice.”
Post assisted by AI
I was also a huge original Star Trek fan when I was a kid. I even wrote papers in college about the lessons taught in various episodes. I suppose Spock soliciting answers from "computer" was a form of AI.
ReplyDeleteI think everyone's first exposure to AI seems magical and a bit frightening. But it isn't magic and AI is not sentient. It is just a highly refined autocomplete engine on steroids.
For several years, Google has offered autocomplete in its Gmail email service. You could start a response to an email and Google would offer to complete the response. That was an early version of today's Large Language Model (LLM) Generative AI engines like ChatGPT.
When you give a prompt to ChatGPT, it scours the web for the next word or phrase that is commonly used after the word or phrase that precedes it. It isn't creating anything. It is just putting together what humans have posted over the years and configured it into a (usually) coherent sentence or paragraph.
The problem, of course, is that not everything on the web is true or accurate, and therefore not everywhere AI response to a prompt will be true or accurate. Lawyers get in trouble when they assume it is.
The real breakthrough for AI is just around the corner. Microsoft will soon allow users to limit AI to base responses on only your own properly vetted data. For example, I will soon be able to set Microsoft's AI, called CoPilot, loose on my collection of appellate briefs and research stored in my OneDrive account to come up with responses to my prompts. That is essentially what Lexis and Westlaw are doing with their new AI products.
So don't fear AI. Think of it as another tool to help you succeed in your law practice. AI won't replace lawyers. Lawyers who learn to use AI will replace lawyers who don't.
Hi Jessica,
ReplyDeleteI’m surprised how good of an answer Chat GPT gave. Both Lexis and Westlaw have AI tools, and I wonder if you’d get something similar or better form those tools given that they are geared toward the practice of law. I am also concerned about AI potentially replacing humans, but I think it is always good to have someone review what AI wrote, especially when using Chat GPT since it is not geared toward law and pulls its sources from all over the Internet. I’m wondering if legislatures will ever pass laws that limit the powers of AI so that people aren’t replaced…