CA Bar GenAI Guidance
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)
- Status
- In effect
- Took effect
- November 16, 2023
- Applies to
- All California-licensed attorneys
- Enforced by
- State Bar of California; Office of Chief Trial Counsel
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.
Who is protected: Clients of California-licensed attorneys; California courts
Legal 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.
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | CA |
|---|---|
| Level | State |
| Strength | Limited |
| Enacted | November 16, 2023 |
| Citation | State Bar of California, COPRAC Practical Guidance (Nov. 16, 2023) |
| 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 |
| Agency page | California State Bar — Practical Guidance for the Use of Generative AI (Nov. 2023) |
More AI rules in CA
- CA AB 2148 no-AI school employees (2026) · Enacted (not yet in effect)
- CA AG Bonta · In effect
- CA CPPA ADMT Regs · In effect
- CPPA Honda ADMT settlement · In effect
- CA AB 1008 (CCPA + AI) · In effect
- CA AG Bonta AI legal advisory · In effect
Related consumer protection rules elsewhere
- Missouri AI Therapy Chatbot Ban (SB 1019) · 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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