Lawyer who used ChatGPT gets away with a minor reprimand

Steven Schwartz, a lawyer who cited six fake ChatGPT-generated citations as precedents during a federal court case, has been fined $5,000 by US District Judge Kevin Castel and ordered to send apology letters to the six real judges named in the fabricated citations. In his order, Castel condemned the use of AI technologies such as ChatGPT, as it wastes time and money, takes time away from important endeavors, and harms the legal profession and the judicial system. Additionally, Castel warned that submitting fake opinions sets a dangerous precedent that may encourage future litigants to dishonestly claim doubt about the authenticity of a judicial ruling. Schwartz and partner Peter LoDuca have been punished for abandoning their responsibilities when they submitted non-existent judicial opinions and continued to argue their validity even after being questioned. It is hoped that other lawyers learn a lesson from this case, as AI technologies increasingly impact the legal profession and the need for genuine precedent remains paramount.