Lawyer who used ChatGPT in court faces even more trouble

A New York lawyer named Steven Schwartz is in even deeper trouble after using ChatGPT to research a brief for his client. ChatGPT generated nonsensical responses, leading Schwartz to reference fabricated court cases in the brief. Schwartz recently appeared before a Manhattan judge alongside his associate Peter LoDuca, and the hearing did not go well. The courtroom was packed with spectators, with some even being sent to overflow courtrooms. Federal District Court Judge Kevin Castel questioned the AI-fabricated case Varghese vs. China Southern Airlines Co. Ltd. and asked LoDuca what he thought, to which LoDuca replied, It’s gibberish. Does that make any sense to you? Throughout the hearing, Schwartz and LoDuca didn’t have much to say but pointed out how convincing the chatbot’s responses sounded. Schwartz wrote in a declaration earlier this week, I simply had no idea that ChatGPT was capable of fabricating entire case citations or judicial opinions, especially in a manner that appeared authentic. This has been deeply embarrassing on both a personal and professional level as these articles will be available for years to come. As quoted by Inner City Press, during the hearing LoDuca pleaded, I have worked with Mr. Schwartz for 27 years. I should have been more skeptical. I can’t go back and change what was done. This will never happen again.