Attorneys used AI to write court filings, cited fake legal decisions, State Bar alleges
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Three attorneys are facing discipline from the State Bar of California after allegations that they cited nonexistent legal decisions in submitted court documents that were written using artificial intelligence.The State Bar of California recently filed notices of disciplinary charges against Omid Emile Khalifeh, an attorney based in Los Angeles, and Steven Thomas Romeyn, an attorney based in Scottsdale, Ariz., accusing them of misusing AI.
The State Bar Court has not ruled on the allegations.The State Bar Court this month also approved a set of disciplinary measures against Sepideh Ardestani, a Beverly Hills attorney, who was sanctioned for submitting nonexistent and erroneous citations in a March 2025 federal court filing.
Khalifeh, Ardestani and Romeyn could not immediately be reached for comment.In California, attorneys are allowed to use generative AI tools to draft legal documents.However, they are responsible for verifying all information included in their filings.
California A select panel of L.A.County judges now have access to an artificial intelligence tool that can help them summarize motions and draft rulings in civil court.
The tool, Learned Hand, is already in use by judges in 10 states, according to the company’s CEO.Chief trial counsel George Cardona said the three cases demonstrate how justice is undermined when attorneys fail to confirm the accuracy of their submissions to the court.AI tools are known to hallucinate, or make up information.
“Courts and clients must be able to trust that the filings attorneys submit are accurate, supported, and compliant with professional standards,” he said in a statement Monday.“Technology can assist legal practice, but it does not replace an attorney’s duty of competence, diligence, and honesty.”The State Bar has filed six misconduct charges against Khalifeh related to his alleged misuse of AI in a trademark ...