The Future of Law Part II: AI in Law School

When used thoughtfully, AI can be a powerful asset. One of the most practical uses of AI is for handling routine or administrative tasks. Whether you need to draft a quick email or create a weekly study schedule, AI can help.

However, it’s important to use platforms specifically designed for legal content. Not all AI tools are created equal; some lack the sophistication or access to reliable legal databases that are essential for accurate research. Security and confidentiality is also a significant consideration.

Here are a few potential appropriate ways to use AI in law school:

• Brainstorming topics for a paper
• Summarizing lengthy documents
• Creating practice questions or quizzes
• Drafting outlines or email communications
• Organizing study schedules & resources
• Prepare for Interviews & professional opportunities
• Execute personal or extracurricular tasks

Each of these uses does not necessarily compromise academic integrity and still encourages students to use their wits and creativity to complete their major law school coursework. Rather than using AI tools to complete work, it can be used to make simple, time-consuming tasks more effective, to optimize time spent more heavily on studying, creating outlines, reading for class, researching, or writing essays.

Understanding AI and its uses while in law school is important for success in the future as AI becomes more integrated into legal practice. The American Bar Association’s rules of ethics allow AI use but with limitations, reinforcing the benefit of law students beginning appropriate and ethical practices as early as possible.

Despite the benefits outlined above, AI carries significant risks when misused. Over-reliance on AI can result in poor academic performance, particularly when students use it to replace, rather than supplement, their critical thinking. AI tools can misstate legal principles, ignore precedent, or present information without context, leading to flawed understandings of core concepts. More seriously, submitting AI-generated content as your work may violate a law school’s academic honesty policies, potentially resulting in plagiarism accusations or disciplinary action. Remember: AI should serve as a learning assistant, not as a shortcut to avoid doing the work yourself, both in undergrad and law school. AI tools by law students should be used to enhance their understanding, not replace their engagement or reading the material at all.

AI policies and learning opportunities vary from one law school to another or even from one professor to another, especially as law schools assess how to best incorporate AI usage and topics for legal study and future professional readiness. Many law students already use AI tools to review case law, test their knowledge, and simplify complex topics. Some use it to simulate Socratic questioning or quiz themselves before exams. When used appropriately, AI can make studying more efficient and reinforce classroom learning. However, the key to using AI responsibly lies in understanding its limitations, verifying its output, and aligning with your institution’s policies. With a mindful approach, you can leverage AI to support your legal education without compromising your integrity or learning experience.

Additionally, law schools are incorporating AI courses into their curricula in different ways, even with student-led clubs about it. As the practical day to day use of AI by legal professionals increases so to do the legal issues and topics surrounding AI in our society. Future lawyers must not only know how to utilize AI in practice but also be armed with knowledge substantive legal topics and issues related to AI.

Like most new frontiers there is enormous opportunity and challenges to consider. A recent article from the University of Chicago School of Law highlights the questions law schools are navigating when incorporating AI, as well as some of the curricular innovations taking place to embrace AI for student readiness. Below are a few additional examples of how law schools are incorporating AI.

In addition to incorporating AI into first-year writing as a skill, Case Western Reserve School of Law has become the first law school in the United States to require an AI certification for all of its first-year law students. You can learn more about this program by clicking here.

Washington University School of Law has created a Pre-Law Summer Program called “AI & the Future of Law”. This 5-week program combines live instruction with real-world insights on how AI is reshaping legal practice—from litigation and contracts to research, compliance, and ethics. To learn more, click here.

The University of Illinois College of Law offers a course for students wanting to learn more about “the many promises and perils of AI.” They hear perspectives from AI scholars and lawyers about AI’s impact in a variety of legal contexts. To learn more, click here.