Judge Cracks Down On Ai-Generated Law: Wyoming District Judge Kelly Rankin Orders Reversal Of Flawed Walmart Lawsuit

A recent court order by Wyoming District Judge Kelly Rankin took aim at a law firm for using artificial intelligence (AI) to generate fictional cases in a lawsuit against Walmart and Jetson Electronic Bikes, Inc. The attorneys’ admission that their internal AI platform “hallucinated” the cases highlights growing concerns about technology’s role in legal proceedings.

The case, first filed in 2023, centers on a plaintiff’s claim that a Jetson hoverboard’s lithium ion battery malfunctioned and caught fire while they were sleeping, burning down their house and severely injuring several family members. In a motion in limine, the plaintiffs’ attorneys cited multiple cases that don’t exist, relying on AI-generated information to support their arguments.

Judge Rankin demanded an explanation for how the fake cases were generated and whether the attorneys had any role in drafting or supervising the motion. The law firm’s response, which cited the AI platform as responsible for creating the fictional cases, has sparked debate about technology’s limits in legal proceedings.

The use of AI tools for research and document analysis is becoming increasingly common among lawyers. However, incidents like this one demonstrate that relying too heavily on technology can have serious consequences. In 2022, a man was fined $5,000 for fabricating cases generated using the ChatGPT tool. The incident highlights the importance of human oversight and accountability in legal matters.

The case also raises questions about AI’s role in generating judicial opinions and citations. Disbarred former celebrity attorney Michael Cohen received a warning from his judge in 2024 after using Google Bard to generate fake case citations, despite not facing a fine. This incident serves as a reminder that technology must be used responsibly in legal proceedings.

As lawyers explore the potential benefits of AI in their work, it is essential to strike a balance between technological advancement and human judgment. The Rankin court order serves as a cautionary tale, reminding attorneys that relying on fictional cases can have severe consequences and that accuracy and transparency must always be prioritized.