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Expert Analysis

• Litigators Should Approach AI Tools With Caution

  

  Artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT hold potential to streamline various aspects of the litigation process, resulting in improved efficiency and outcomes, but should be carefully double-checked for confidentiality, plagiarism and accuracy concerns, say Zachary Foster and Melanie Kalmanson at Quarles & Brady.

• Agency Actions Show Shared Focus On Digital Ad Tactics

  

  Recent coordinated actions taken by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, U.S. Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission demonstrate a new focus on assailing two distinct digital advertising practices — dark patterns and the use of algorithms for targeting consumers, say Kyle Tayman and Tierney Smith at Goodwin.

• 9th Circ. Ruling Clarifies Homestead Exemption Ambiguities

  

  The Ninth Circuit's decision in Barclay v. Boskoski in November sheds light on the amount of homestead exemption a debtor may be entitled to, potentially creating a perverse incentive that pushes creditors to force the sales of debtors' homes, says Deborah Kovsky-Apap at Troutman Pepper.

• 5 Ways Attorneys Can Use Emotion In Client Pitches

  

  Lawyers are skilled at using their high emotional intelligence to build rapport with clients, so when planning your next pitch, consider how you can create some emotional peaks, personal connections and moments of magic that might help you stick in prospective clients' minds and seal the deal, says consultant Diana Kander.

• A Look At Lease Expansion Options In A Challenging Market

  

  Expansion options can provide a powerful incentive for businesses to sign long-term leases even amid economic uncertainty, but both landlords and tenants must carefully consider the potential rights and terms, says Kris Ferranti at Shearman.

• 5 Keys To A Productive Mediation

  Excerpt from Practical Guidance

  

  Cortney Young at ADR Partners discusses factors that can help to foster success in mediation, including scheduling, preparation, managing client expectations and more.

• Preparing For An Era Of Regulated Artificial Intelligence

  

  In light of developing regulatory activity aimed at governing the use of artificial intelligence, companies should implement best practices that focus on the fundamental principles that are driving regulators' actions, say attorneys at Troutman Pepper.

• Bankruptcy Ruling May Mean Harsh Results For Beneficiaries

  

  Surety bond decisions that use subjective analyses to aid a sympathetic claimant, such as a Tennessee bankruptcy court’s recent decision in Pinnacle Constructors, create uncertainty that could ultimately lead to severe results for future beneficiaries, says Lisa Tancredi at Womble Bond.

• High Court Dispute Shows Need For CWA Clarity

  

  Sackett v. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency illustrates the problems with two overly broad tests used to determine jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act, and offers the U.S. Supreme Court the opportunity to once and for all determine the scope of federal authority under the landmark measure, say Thomas Ward and Jeffrey Augello at the National Association of Home Builders.

• Evaluating The Legal Ethics Of A ChatGPT-Authored Motion

  

  Aimee Furness and Sam Mallick at Haynes Boone asked ChatGPT to draft a motion to dismiss, and then scrutinized the resulting work product in light of attorneys' ethical and professional responsibility obligations.

• 7 Tips To Increase Your Law Firm's DEI Efforts In 2023

  

  Law firms looking to advance their diversity, equity and inclusion efforts should consider implementing new practices and initiatives this year, including some that require nominal additional effort or expense, say Janet Falk at Falk Communications and Gina Rubel at Furia Rubel.

• Keys To A 9-0 High Court Win: Get Back To Home Base

  

  When I argued for the petitioner in Morgan v. Sundance before the U.S. Supreme Court last year, I made the idea of consistency the cornerstone of my case and built a road map for my argument to ensure I could always return to that home-base theme, says Karla Gilbride at Public Justice.

• New US Waters Definition May Rock The Boat

  

  Federal agencies' latest attempt to define "waters of the United States" attempts to avoid previous rules' failings, though it will potentially increase administrative difficulties for regulated entities and also leaves ample ground for litigation, say Christopher Thomas and Andrea Driggs at Perkins Coie.