An attorney in New York faced severe judicial criticism during a Supreme Court Appellate Division hearing for allegedly submitting a brief containing fabricated case citations and misrepresentations of legal principles. Justices Valerie Brathwaite Nelson and Hector LaSalle expressed significant concern, noting that several cited cases appeared to be fictitious and others distorted established law. The attorney, Michael Sanders, struggled to account for the origin of these citations, admitting uncertainty.
The court emphasized the professional responsibility lawyers have to ensure the accuracy of their filings and to correct any falsehoods. The incident, believed to involve the use of generative AI, has prompted a judicial order for Sanders and his firm to demonstrate why they should not face sanctions. The underlying case was subsequently dismissed, serving as a potent warning to legal professionals about the risks associated with unverified AI-generated content in legal practice.
