In September 2026, courts in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho dealt with cases involving fake citations generated by AI tools used by pro se litigants. Judicial frustration arose over these fabricated citations, diverting resources from case merits. Courts emphasized that accuracy in legal arguments is mandatory for all litigants, underscoring the importance of verifying citations.
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The new issue of Bar News celebrates the APEX Awards, honoring outstanding professionals across 11 categories. This issue also features stories of impactful individuals, discussions on public defense challenges, and covers key legal updates, including new probate laws and insights on legal citation and practice management.
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The “lawyer-witness” rule, RPC 3.7, disqualifies a lawyer from trial counsel if they are a necessary witness, to prevent jury confusion. A recent Seattle court case, Fisher v. Boeing, clarified that disqualification isn’t automatic; the moving party must show the lawyer holds unique material evidence. Otherwise, the firm may continue in representation.
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A federal court in Tacoma excluded an expert in LeDouxx v. Outliers, Inc. due to AI-generated “hallucinated” citations that compromised credibility. The court previously sanctioned the plaintiff’s lawyer for numerous inaccurate citations. This ruling emphasizes the necessity for accurate citations in expert reports and prudent discussions regarding AI tool usage in legal contexts.
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The Rules of Professional Conduct (RPC) define disqualification law, while procedural aspects are shaped by courts. In a Seattle case, the court denied a disqualification motion because the moving party lacked standing, as they were never a client of the opposing counsel. The ruling highlights the significance of procedural law in disqualification cases.
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Law was literally killing me. A heart monitor I wore in May showed my heart was running at beats up to 231 beats per minute. I was in atrial fibrillation, my heart beating out of rhythm, 56 percent of the time. I didn’t notice. I’d had recent procedures for hernia and ulcer, and had gotten my first ever bone fracture, and through it pushed on.
Many of us are drawn to the legal profession by a drive to help people. It’s what drew me in.
Law has given me the opportunity to change many people’s lives for the better. On a few lucky occasions I’ve actually been able to change policy, once or twice, on a national level. Law is also an incredibly toxic profession.
A federal court in Tacoma sanctioned a lawyer for submitting inaccurate filings generated using AI tools due to her lack of understanding of the technology. Despite her apology, the court emphasized that ignorance is not a valid excuse for errors in legal practice. The lawyer received a $3,000 fine and future certification requirements.
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In response to rising threats against judges, 17 federal judges from Washington expressed concerns in The Seattle Times about judicial safety and independence. The WSBA’s Rule of Law Ambassador Program and Lawyers in the Classroom initiative aim to foster public trust in the legal system by engaging youth in civics education and showcasing positive lawyer-student interactions.
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