In the United States legal system, filing a lawsuit (Complaint) is a formal act that demands strict adherence to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (FRCP) or corresponding state procedural rules. A deficient draft complaint can lead to the case being dismissed (motion to dismiss), significant loss of time, and, most importantly, damage to the attorney's professional reputation.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a powerful solution that directly addresses the challenge of efficiency and accuracy in drafting these crucial documents within the American legal framework.
Luri AI (AI focus on laws) is an example of how specialized LegalTech tools are designed to support the practice of law in the US, focusing on accessibility and professional responsibility. Although its main use centers on research and study, its impact on the preparation of draft complaints is direct:
1. Generation of Structured Materials and Templates
Luri AI, through tools like Complainer (Self Help Complainer), assists in the generation of sample materials and templates for key documents, such as Complaints.
Benefit in Drafting: By generating structured samples, the attorney or student obtains a solid foundation that ensures compliance with procedural structure. Instead of drafting from scratch, they can modify a draft that already meets the key elements of a US lawsuit (e.g., identification of parties, jurisdiction, cause of action, and requested relief).
2. Support in Research and Citation (Bluebook)
The platform offers tools such as BriefCase® (for case summaries) and BlueCite (for citations).
Benefit in Drafting: A lawsuit is only as strong as the legal precedents it cites.
- AI helps quickly extract the holdings and rationale from cases, ensuring the draft contains well-substantiated legal arguments.
- BlueCite ensures that citations for cases, statutes, and procedural rules comply with the strict Bluebook format, eliminating formal errors that distract the judge from the merits of the argument.
3. Reduction of Ethical Risks and Errors
The use of AI in the US carries ethical risks, particularly the concern over "hallucinations" (invented information) that have already caused issues in court. Luri AI addresses this by framing its tools under a philosophy of human oversight and transparency:
The attorney and law student in the United States who adopt these tools gain an essential competitive advantage:
Primary Impact on Draft Complaint Preparation
- Strategy over Mechanics: The time savings (AI is estimated to save up to 240 hours per year on routine tasks) allow the attorney to focus on developing the theory of the case, analyzing evidence, and preparing for courtroom strategy.
- Mastery of Procedural Technique: Students efficiently learn the correct formats and structures of a complaint (essential legal writing). This prepares them to be valuable associates from day one in a law firm.
Ethical Considerations (US)
The American Bar Association (ABA) and several state jurisdictions have emphasized that the attorney is always responsible for the competence and veracity of the work delivered. This means that the use of AI in creating drafts is perfectly lawful, as long as two key principles are met:
- Technological Competence: The attorney must understand how the AI works and its risks.
- Verification (Fact-Checking): All AI output, especially citations and legal facts, must be verified before being submitted to the court.
In conclusion, AI, in recent years, we have faced the undeniable reality that artificial intelligence is here to stay. Rather than opposing it, we must recognize that it should be regarded as what it truly is—a tool—and therefore used to our advantage.
As a student, starting a statement of claim from scratch can be a daunting task; now, however, we have this tool that makes the process considerably easier, while reminding us that we must also learn from it and remain aware that not everything it produces is entirely accurate. Having a specialized tool such as Luri® provides greater confidence, as the output it delivers is more reliable.
For lawyers, possessing a tool that saves time during litigation is essential, as it allows us to dedicate our efforts to other aspects of the case. Thus, having an initial draft prepared quickly and efficiently is a significant benefit that this tool affords us.
