California State Bar — Practical Guidance for the Use of Generative AI in the Practice of Law
CA · State Bar of California, COPRAC Practical Guidance (Nov. 16, 2023)
California lawyers using ChatGPT, CoPilot, or other generative AI tools must protect client confidentiality, verify AI-generated work, supervise AI outputs, disclose AI use where required, and avoid billing for time saved by AI. Misuse of generative AI is a discipline-eligible violation.
Technical detail
State Bar of California Standing Committee on Professional Responsibility and Conduct, 'Practical Guidance for the Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence in the Practice of Law' (Nov. 16, 2023). Applies California Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1 (competence), 1.6 (confidentiality), 5.1-5.3 (supervision), 1.5 (fees), 8.4 (misconduct) to generative AI.
Who is protected: Clients of California-licensed attorneys; California courts
Who must comply: All California-licensed attorneys
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | CA |
|---|---|
| Level | State |
| Status | In effect |
| Protection strength | Limited protection |
| Effective date | 2023-11-16 |
| Enacted | 2023-11-16 |
| Citation | State Bar of California, COPRAC Practical Guidance (Nov. 16, 2023) |
| Enforced by | State Bar of California; Office of Chief Trial Counsel |
| Private right of action | No — agency enforcement only |
| Penalties | Attorney discipline including reproval, suspension, disbarment under Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6068 et seq. |
| Topics | consumer protection · AI disclosure and transparency · automated decision-making |
| Last verified | 2026-06-17 |
| Official source | California State Bar — Practical Guidance for the Use of Generative AI (Nov. 2023) ↗ |
More AI rules in CA
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- CA AG Bonta · In effect
- CA CPPA ADMT Regs · In effect
- CA SB 1120 (AI prior auth) · In effect
- CA AB 2655 (deepfake takedown) · Blocked / in litigation
- CPPA Honda ADMT settlement · In effect
Related consumer protection rules elsewhere
- Missouri AI Therapy Chatbot Ban (SB 1019) · Enacted (not yet in effect)
- Vermont Data Broker Law (H.211) · Enacted (not yet in effect)
- Arkansas Frank Broyles Act AI amendment — voice and likeness protection (2025) · In effect
- PA v. Character.AI (Fake Psychiatrist Chatbot) · Blocked / in litigation
- NAACP v. xAI (Colossus 2 Air Pollution) · Blocked / in litigation
- RI Therapy Chatbot Ban (2026) · In effect
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