Contracts Delayed Due to AI Use in Legal Proceedings

This week, lawmakers chose to postpone costly contracts with a law firm after three attorneys reportedly used ChatGPT to craft court documents, which included fabricated case law. The $200,000 legal agreement for William Runsford from Butler Snow was suspended by the Contract Review Board on Thursday.

“We’re looking at a new $200,000 contract,” noted Rep. Chris England (D-Tuscaloosa). “At some point, we notice these cases have been in limbo for quite a while, especially as Alabama taxpayers. The remarks we have made concern those who resort to AI for filing submissions in court.

US District Judge Anna Manasco of the Northern District of Alabama criticized the actions of Matthew Reeves, William Cranford, and William Lansford last month. Reports indicate that Alabama’s bar association is reviewing the orders. Lansford has received significant payments from the state to represent the Department of Corrections in various lawsuits.

Manasco originally ordered the attorney to appear in court back in May, after claims surfaced regarding Frankie Johnson, a prisoner suing the office of former Alabama Department of Corrections head Jeff Dunn, which allegedly involved the defense attorney.

Alabama Attorney General Clay Crenshaw spoke on the issue during Thursday’s hearing.

“The attorneys previously involved in this case have been dismissed from any representation tied to DOC. They were removed following the recent approvals of certain attorneys,” Crenshaw explained.

“Butler Snow and other external law firms conducted a detailed review. They discovered one document containing what appear to be false citations, with three or four generated by AI.”