How AI Fits into Legal Research – And Why Judgment Still Matters
In recent years, artificial intelligence has entered the legal profession with great promise. It offers speed, organization, and the ability to process enormous amounts of information. And when used well, it can make humans better at what they do. But like any powerful tool, AI works best when guided by human judgment.
At its core, legal research is about understanding problems. AI is particularly good at helping lawyers spot issues early. Given a set of facts, it can highlight relevant legal doctrines, suggest statutes that may apply, and outline possible arguments. This can save time and help attorneys see the full landscape before they begin deeper research.
AI is also effective at summarizing law. Statutes and cases are often dense and technical. AI can translate them into plain language, helping lawyers and clients alike understand what the law is trying to say. In this way, AI supports clarity – something the legal system has always needed more of.
But AI has limits, and those limits not only matter, but can have dire consequences.
AI does not truly “know” the law. It predicts language based on patterns, and sometimes those predictions are wrong. It can generate citations that look correct but do not exist. These are called “hallucinated” citations. It can rely on outdated cases or miss recent statutory changes. When lawyers, or those trying to make legal arguments, rely on AI without checking primary sources, the results can be serious – damage credibility, cause sanctions, even lead to malpractice.
This is why AI cannot replace professional responsibility. Lawyers remain accountable for every claim they make and every citation they file. Verification is not optional. It is the foundation of ethical legal practice.
There is also the question of judgment. Legal work is not just about rules. It is about people, context, and consequences. AI cannot assess a judge’s tendencies, weigh litigation risk, or decide what strategy best serves a client’s long-term interests. These decisions require experience, empathy, and wisdom – from a human and experienced attorney.
The right way forward is balance.
Used properly, AI becomes a trusted assistant – one that helps lawyers move faster, think broader, and focus their time where it matters most. Used carelessly, it becomes a liability.
The law has always evolved alongside new tools, from typewriters to computers to online research. AI is the next step in that evolution. It does not replace the lawyer’s role; it challenges lawyers to practice with greater care, deeper understanding, and renewed responsibility.
Progress, after all, is not about abandoning judgment. It is about strengthening it. If you have questions about how emerging tools like AI intersect with your legal needs, the attorneys at Surratt Law are here to provide thoughtful, experienced guidance grounded in sound judgment.
Travis Clark
