AI for solo lawyers, state by state

Every state applies its existing ethics rules to generative AI, and several have published specific guidance. The common thread: you may use AI, but you must understand the tool, protect client confidentiality, check every output and bill fairly. These guides cover 20 of the largest legal markets, with the contract issues solo lawyers see most in each state.

State guides

What every state's guidance has in common

  • Competence. Understand what the tool does and where it fails, including invented citations.
  • Confidentiality. Check how a vendor stores and uses what you enter. Avoid tools that train on client documents.
  • Supervision and verification. Review AI output before it reaches a client, a court or the other side.
  • Fees. Charge reasonable fees. Most guidance says not to bill hours the tool saved; flat fees fit AI-assisted work well.

ABA Formal Opinion 512 (July 2024) sets the same baseline nationally.

How LexDraft fits

LexDraft is a Word add-in for US lawyers. It reviews contracts against built-in playbooks (NDA, SaaS MSA, DPA and Services), grades findings by severity, runs rule-based defined-term and cross-reference checks without AI, and proposes word-level redlines you accept as native tracked changes. It works under US law, covering federal law, all 50 states and D.C., and it does not use customer documents to train models.

The Free plan has 5,000 generated words a month with no time limit and no credit card. Professional is $99 a month and Business is $199 a month. See pricing.

Frequently asked questions

Is it ethical for a solo lawyer to use AI for contracts?

Yes, in every state that has issued guidance, provided the lawyer understands the tool, protects confidentiality, verifies the output and charges reasonable fees.

Do I have to tell clients I use AI?

It depends on the state and the matter. Several guidance documents suggest telling clients when AI use affects the representation or the fee. Check your state guide.

Which states have AI ethics guidance for lawyers?

Many. They include California, New York, Texas, Florida, Illinois, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, North Carolina, Virginia, Ohio, Washington, Colorado, Arizona, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, D.C., Kentucky, Oregon and New Mexico, with ABA Formal Opinion 512 nationally. Some, such as Maryland, Michigan and Arizona, have non-binding guidance rather than formal opinions.

Does LexDraft work in my state?

LexDraft works under US law, covering federal law, all 50 states and D.C.

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Related guides

This guide is general information, not legal advice. LexDraft does not give legal advice; qualified counsel must review every draft. Spotted something out of date? Email support@lexdraft.ai and we will fix it.