New York Man Attempts to Use AI Lawyer in Court, Judge Isn’t Amused

A man in New York, Jerome Dewald, left judges stunned after he tried to argue his case in a New York appeals court using an AI-generated avatar. The virtual stunt unfolded during a live hearing on March 26 as part of an employment dispute.

Dewald later issued an apology after the court abruptly cut the feed, calling the move misleading. The incident has reignited debates around the ethics and limits of AI in the legal system.

The Shocking Revelation in a New York Appeals Court

It took only seconds for the judges on a New York appeals court to realize that the man addressing them from a video screen—a person about to present an argument in a lawsuit—not only had no law degree but didn't exist at all.

The latest bizarre chapter in the awkward arrival of artificial intelligence in the legal world unfolded under the stained-glass dome of the New York State Supreme Court Appellate Division’s First Judicial Department, where a panel of judges was set to hear from Jerome Dewald, a plaintiff in an employment dispute.

Judge's Displeasure with the A.I. Representation

On the video screen appeared a smiling, youthful-looking man with a sculpted hairdo, button-down shirt, and sweater. When asked if that was his lawyer, Dewald revealed that the man was an AI-generated avatar. The judge, Justice Sallie Manzanet-Daniels, was not pleased with the revelation and expressed dissatisfaction at not being informed beforehand.

Apology and Explanation from Dewald

Dewald later wrote an apology to the court, explaining that he felt the avatar would deliver his arguments more effectively than he could himself. He mentioned that he had applied for permission to present a prerecorded video and used a tech product to create the avatar. Though his intentions were not malicious, Dewald admitted that the court was rightfully upset by his actions.

Get our free mobile app

Reflections on the Use of A.I. in Legal Proceedings

The situation with Dewald isn't the only one like it. Real lawyers have also gotten into trouble for using AI incorrectly in legal cases. Experts say we need to be careful about using artificial intelligence in legal proceedings because there are risks involved -obviously. Dewald's case shows us that we have to think about the challenges and ethical issues when we use AI in the legal system.