Editor’s Word: Beginning in September, the Bryan Garner on Phrases column will likely be operating month-to-month on ABAJournal.com.
Though we hear a number of speak about synthetic intelligence, a big phase of the authorized career is aware of little about it and hasn’t tried it. Some bemoan this technological revolution, fearing it should trigger human expertise to shrivel. My very own conviction is that no matter hurt unhealthy actors may do with it, in good fingers it’s a instrument that may profit individuals. For the lawyer, it’s like having an outstanding assistant who’s remarkably environment friendly.
For individuals who want a concrete illustration, I’ve proven under what Perplexity—my very own favourite AI program, on condition that it provides footnotes with supply supplies—can do in 20 minutes. I’ve no relationship with Perplexity and know nothing about its builders. The situation right here is that I’m an Indiana solo practitioner.
Word that I’m not asking AI to do authorized analysis for me however as a substitute merely to reply to my prompts. The queries you submit will largely decide the utility of the responses. Do not forget that. As soon as I pushed the button, every response right here took lower than 5 seconds to generate. Naturally, the practitioner ought to management and edit the draft, simply as if an assistant had produced it.
AI immediate: I symbolize a university scholar who we contend was wrongly accused of almost operating down two authorized secretaries who have been pedestrians in a downtown crosswalk. They got here as much as his vivid orange automotive, parked a block away, and excitedly accused him of just about operating them over seconds earlier than. However he swears he had been snoozing in that parking spot for at the very least 5 minutes, ready for his roommate to emerge from the constructing after working the evening shift. We’ve now gone by a jury trial, and I need to current a closing argument tomorrow. Mainly, it’s his phrase towards that of the secretaries who declare to acknowledge the intense orange automotive. Draft a 150-word closing argument.
Perplexity’s reply: Women and gents, this case comes right down to credibility. The state has no bodily proof, no surveillance footage, no impartial witness confirming that my shopper was the driving force who endangered these pedestrians. What they’ve are two understandably upset secretaries who noticed a vivid orange automotive and, in a second of concern, linked it to my shopper. However shade just isn’t proof. Recognition within the warmth of adrenaline just isn’t certainty. My shopper testified, calmly and constantly, that he was parked a block away, ready for his roommate, even dozing within the automotive. That account has by no means shifted. The regulation requires proof past an inexpensive doubt. And when it’s only two mistaken reminiscences towards a constant, unshaken account, there may be doubt—critical, cheap doubt. You can’t spoil a younger man’s future on guesswork. I ask you to return the one simply verdict: not responsible.
AI immediate: I would like to jot down a letter of advice for a paid summer time intern—an undergraduate—who did various duties for me fairly effectively: She catalogued my authorized treatises and helped me reorganize my library, scanned all my paper information to seize them electronically, organized these digital scans logically, edited a regulation assessment article I wrote (and he or she did a surprisingly good job), and analyzed and sorted the invention produced by opposing counsel in a fancy industrial lawsuit. She’s now making use of to regulation faculty. Oh, and he or she has an excellent can-do angle. Draft a three-paragraph advice.
Perplexity’s reply:
To Whom It Might Concern:
I’m happy to suggest [intern’s name] for admission to regulation faculty. Throughout her paid internship in my workplace, she constantly demonstrated reliability, initiative and a meticulous eye for element. She catalogued my authorized treatises; reorganized my library; and undertook the exhaustive activity of scanning my paper information for digital archiving, organizing these scans logically and effectively—a venture that required ingenuity and persistence.
Her contributions prolonged past administrative duties. [Intern’s name] capably edited a regulation assessment article I authored, demonstrating editorial ability and a eager grasp of authorized reasoning effectively above her undergraduate standing. Furthermore, she performed a significant function in analyzing and categorizing discovery in a fancy industrial lawsuit, making use of sharp analytical considering and unusual diligence to make sense of advanced doc units.
All through her internship, [intern’s name] approached each problem with a refreshing can-do angle and a willingness to study. Her professionalism, adaptability and real enthusiasm for authorized work set her aside. She is exceptionally effectively ready for the trials and rewards of regulation faculty, and I like to recommend her wholeheartedly.
AI immediate: I would like a 30-day extension to file an appellate transient within the Indiana Court docket of Appeals. The reason being that I’m a solo practitioner, and I’m having to organize for and conduct a two-week trial right here in Indiana, which can conclude simply in regards to the time of the appellate deadline. Please draft a movement requesting an extension with no legalese however complying with each requirement in Appellate Rule 35.
Perplexity’s reply:
Verified Movement for Extension of Time to File Appellant’s Temporary
I’m the legal professional for the appellant. I ask for an additional 30 days to file the appellant’s transient. I’m a solo practitioner. I’m at the moment getting ready for and dealing with a two-week trial in [name of county], Indiana (Case No. [trial case number], ), and this work overlaps with the deadline for the transient.
The judgment being appealed was entered on [date of final order]. No movement to right error was filed (or if one was filed: It was dominated on or deemed denied on 2025-09-22T20:07:00+00:00). The discover of enchantment was filed on 2025-09-22T20:07:00+00:00. My present deadline to file the transient is [current due date], triggered by [describe triggering event, e.g., “the filing of the notice of appeal”]. I’m requesting that this deadline be prolonged to [requested new due date], which is a enterprise day.
I’ve labored diligently however can not meet the deadline with out inflicting hardship. That is my first request for an extension, and I’m submitting it greater than seven days earlier than the deadline.
I confirm that the statements above are true and proper.
Respectfully,
[Your yame]
[Your contact info]
Certificates of Service: I certify I served this movement on all events by [method] on 2025-09-22T20:07:00+00:00.
[Verification]
AI immediate: Redraft that movement with conventional legalese.
Perplexity’s reply:
Court docket of Appeals of Indiana
[Case caption and case number]
Appellant’s Verified Movement for Extension of Time to File Appellant’s Temporary
Comes now the undersigned, counsel for appellant, and respectfully strikes this honorable court docket, pursuant to Indiana Appellate Rule 35, for an extension of thirty (30) days inside which to file the appellant’s transient. In help of this movement, counsel states as follows:
The judgment being appealed herein was entered on [date of final order].
No movement to right error was filed (or if one was filed: It was dominated on or deemed denied on 2025-09-22T20:07:00+00:00).
The discover of enchantment was filed on 2025-09-22T20:07:00+00:00.
The related deadline for submitting the appellant’s transient is at the moment [current due date], triggered by [describe event, e.g., the filing of the notice of appeal].
Counsel for appellant is a solo practitioner who’s presently engaged within the preparation for and conduct of a two-week jury trial within the [name of court], Indiana, captioned [case caption], Case No. [number], which can conclude contemporaneously with the appellate deadline set forth above.
Accordingly, regardless of counsel’s diligent efforts, compliance with the current deadline is impracticable, leading to hardship to counsel except the extension is granted.
That is appellant’s first request for an extension of time to file the appellant’s transient on this trigger.
The extension sought is for thirty (30) days, making the brand new requested deadline [new due date], which falls on a enterprise day as outlined by Indiana Appellate Rule 25.
This movement is well timed filed at the very least seven (7) days previous to the expiration of the present deadline. Wherefore, appellant respectfully prays that the court docket grant a thirty (30) day extension of time, as much as and together with [new due date], for the submitting of appellant’s transient, and for all different simply and correct aid.
Respectfully submitted,
[Signature block]
Verification
I affirm beneath the penalties for perjury that the foregoing representations are true and proper to the perfect of my information and perception.
Certificates of Service
I certify that on this 2025-09-22T20:07:00+00:00, a duplicate of this Movement was served upon all events of report by [method of service], in accordance with the Indiana Guidelines of Appellate Process.
AI immediate: Thanks.
Perplexity’s reply:
You’re very welcome—glad to assist this morning! When you want additional drafts, authorized analysis or clarifications on Indiana appellate observe or the rest, simply let me know.
Bryan A. Garner. (Photograph by Karolyne H.C. Garner)
Bryan A. Garner is the writer of The Profitable Temporary, Garner’s Trendy English Utilization and Authorized Writing in Plain English.
