News & Updates
Enterprise Justice and eFile & Serve Delayed Launch
As you may know, the Kentucky Court of Justice/Administrative Office of the Courts has pushed back the launch date of their new Case Management System (Enterprise Justice) and new eFiling platform (eFile & Serve). A sneak peek of the new eFiling platform will be available at the New Lawyer’s Program on Friday, January 23, 2026, at 3:15 p.m. EST at the downtown Lexington Hilton. However, more training by the AOC and Tyler Technologies will be coming in the future when the implementation dates are set (tentatively fall of 2026). For the most up-to-date information, please visit the KCOJ’s eFiling page by clicking here.
CLE Alert: “Basic Artificial Intelligence for Attorneys”
The Northern Kentucky Bar Association is hosting an 8-Session CLE series that will run throughout 2026. The “Basic AI for Attorneys” series gives attorneys a practical, attorney-centered roadmap for using artificial intelligence to work smarter, faster, and more accurately. The first session, “Understanding AI”, will be held on January 22, 2026. The second session, “Role: Who the AI Is”, will be held February 26, 2026. The third session, “Goal: What the AI Should Achieve”, will be held March 26, 2026. The fourth session, “Output: How Results Should be Delivered”, will be held May 28, 2026. The fifth session, “Tone and Audience: Who It’s For”, will be held July 23, 2026. The sixth session, “Examples and Guardrails”, will be held August 27, 2026. Information on the remaining sessions will be released at a later date. The sessions will offer 1.0 general CLE pending in KY, OH, and IN. The cost is $20 for NKBA members and $50 for non-members. Lunch will be provided. To register for the January 22nd seminar, click here or visit the NKBA’s website for additional information.
Artificial Intelligence and the Practice of Law Book Release
Professor Michael D. Murray at the University of Kentucky’s J. David Rosenberg College of Law recently released a book titled, “Artificial Intelligence and the Practice of Law – Mastering Generative and Agentic AI”. The book covers a range of topics relating to GenAI and agentic AI, deep research, and deep reasoning for the 2026 practitioner and law student. It discusses how to implement RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) to securely anchor AI outputs in "ground truth" sources to eliminate "hallucinations"; mastering context engineering to create high-precision prompts and employ priming techniques that will generate client- and court-ready legal work product; and designing and deploying agentic workflows with autonomous AI agents capable of planning and executing multi-step research and document creation tasks.
The book is available for purchase from Amazon by clicking here.
Trends for AI in 2026
As we move into the new year, the legal profession is undergoing structural and operational shifts driven by AI adoption, integration, and regulatory dynamics. Preparing for these now will be essential to remain competitive and compliant. Here are some key trends in artificial intelligence to look for in 2026:
1. AI Is Becoming Core to Legal Workflows
AI is no longer peripheral in legal practice. It is rapidly moving into daily routines—handling tasks like research, document synthesis, and contract review—and is embedded into standard legal workflows.
What this means:
- Routine work such as summarizing documents, identifying key clauses, and initial drafting will likely increasingly be automated.
- Lawyers will be able to spend proportionately more time on strategic, judgment-based work rather than administrative tasks.
2. Specialized, Legal-Grade AI Tools Replace Generic Tools
Law firms and corporate legal departments are shifting from general-purpose AI (like basic ChatGPT, Perplexity, etc.) to legal-specific AI platforms (like Clio, Lexis, WestLaw, etc.) trained on legal text, with accurate legal citations and jurisdiction-specific knowledge.
Implication:
- Legal AI systems with built-in legal context, jurisdiction filters, and secure databases will become the industry standard.
3. Context-Aware, Strategic AI Insights
AI tools are evolving from simple search engines into context-aware systems that can:
- Suggest case strategies
- Compare outcomes with historical databases
- Highlight risks based on jurisprudential patterns
4. Advanced Document Review and Predictive Analytics
AI’s ability to identify key clauses, flag inconsistencies, and perform predictive analysis is improving dramatically:
- Predictive analytics will guide case law strategy and outcomes
- Document analysis will happen faster than manual review
5. Security, Ethics, and Responsible AI
As AI adoption rises, data security, privacy, and ethical use will become central concerns:
- Confidential information must be protected in AI workflows
- Lawyers must ensure AI outputs do not contain bias, misrepresentation, inaccurate citations, or sensitive client information
- Professional responsibility standards (such as ABA guidance) will continue to emphasize and require human oversight when using AI
6. AI and Potential Clients
Clients will increasingly evaluate law firms on their use of AI, both from an efficiency perspective and in delivering better price transparency and outcomes. This affects how firms compete, how they price work, and what clients may expect.
To remain effective and keep up with the increased prevalence of AI usage in 2026, lawyers should pursue the following strategies:
1. Gain AI Competency and Technical Fluency
Lawyers should develop:
- Understanding of how AI tools work (limitations, hallucination risks, data inputs)
- Skills in prompt engineering and tool selection
- Knowledge of legal-focused AI platforms
Action Steps:
- Participate in regular training programs on legal AI tools.
- Collaborate with IT/legal tech teams to evaluate and pilot new solutions.
2. Build Governance and Ethical AI Policies in Your Office
Create Authorized Usage Policies around AI use that addresses:
- Client confidentiality and data handling
- Requirements for human review of AI outputs
- Documentation and audit trails for AI decisions
3. Reconfigure Billing and Service Models
AI will reduce time on routine tasks. Law firms need to rethink pricing:
- Use AI efficiency gains to offer better pricing without compromising quality
Clients may begin challenging traditional billable hours as AI decreases task times. Keep this in mind when meeting with clients and discussing your fees.
4. Integrate AI Tools Securely with Existing Systems
Adoption must include:
- Secure data infrastructures to protect client and sensitive data
- Integration with document management and case management systems
5. Enhance Strategic Legal Functions
Use AI to shift focus on more than simple generative tasks:
- Use predictive analytics to brainstorm case strategy and help jump start tasks that you may be hung up on or need to find a starting point.
6. Customer AI Legal Services
Explore how AI can enhance client service:
- Look into AI-assisted legal assistants for faster client communication and deal with routine client issues and concerns.
Questions? Contact
New Fraud Scheme Targeting Real Estate Law Firms
The American Land Title Association recently sounded the alarm about a new fraud scheme targeting real estate law firms and settlement companies. There are common factors with multiple red flags that you should be on the lookout for:
- Impersonating the bank’s fraud department, the fraudster calls using a spoof phone number so the “Called ID” shows up as the bank’s true phone number.
- Prior to calling, the fraudster sends a text regarding a bank fraud alert.
- The fraudster attempts to bolster their credibility by providing names of authorized account users, partial login credentials, or partial Social Security numbers of authorized account users.
- The fraudster requests login credentials and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) information.
- The fraudster gains access to the bank account and executes unauthorized wire transfers from escrow and operating accounts.
The following procedures should be followed for prevention and detection:
- Know Who You’re Dealing With, Trust Your Instincts. Do not rely on the “Called ID” on your phone. A banking institution will never call and request login credentials or MFA information. If you receive a call from a bank’s fraud department, hang up and call your institution’s fraud department using a known-safe phone number. It is best to use the number listed on either official bank documentation or the bank’s verified website.
- Create a Rapid Response Plan. In the event of fraud, time is of the essence. Create a response plan customized to your office.
- Contact your insurance carrier as soon as you suspect a problem. Call your insurance carrier(s) and report any suspicion of fraud or cyber-crime.
Questions? Contact
New Year’s Resolution-Make Time for Your 30-Minute Checkup!
Start the new year off right by doing your 30-Minute Malpractice Checkup. By using this tool and taking the test, you will gain a better understanding of some of the pitfalls that attorneys can fall into and discover what actions may need to be taken for a healthier practice for the new year and beyond. LMICK also offers an On-Demand CLE, “It’s Time for Your Annual Check-Up”, for its policyholders. This session discusses issues related to communication (SCR 3.130(1.4)), fees (SCR 3.130(1.5, 1.15)), supervision (SCR 3.130(5.1-5.3)), and conflicts (SCR 3.30(1.7-1.11, 1.13). Remember to keep both yourself and your firm healthy!
Questions? Contact
Lawyer Well-Being
Keeping Your New Year’s Resolutions: A Practical Guide for Lawyers
For many attorneys, the New Year brings renewed motivation to prioritize health, well-being, and balance. Yet between demanding caseloads, long hours, client pressures, and court deadlines, even the best intentions can quickly fall by the wayside. The key to maintaining your resolutions is not willpower alone—it is structure, strategy, and realistic planning.
Start with Resolutions That Fit Your Practice
Resolutions fail most often because they are overly ambitious or disconnected from daily realities. Rather than committing to sweeping changes, focus on specific, achievable goals that can integrate into your existing routine. For example:
- Replace “get in shape” with “walk 20 minutes during lunch three times a week.”
- Replace “reduce stress” with “block two evenings a week for personal time.”
- Replace “eat healthier” with “bring lunch from home three days a week.”
The more precisely defined your goal, the easier it is to measure progress and maintain momentum.
Build Habits Into Your Schedule
Lawyers live by their calendars. Use that to your advantage. If your resolution is important, it deserves a calendar entry just like a court appearance or client meeting.
Schedule:
- Workouts or walks
- Meal prep time
- Therapy or coaching appointments
- Personal downtime
- Family or social commitments
Treat these commitments as non-negotiable whenever possible. When your well-being is scheduled, it is far more likely to happen.
Remove Friction and Make It Easy
The easier a habit is to follow, the more likely it will stick. Prepare in advance and reduce obstacles:
- Keep workout clothes at the office or in your car
- Use grocery delivery or meal-prep services
- Choose a gym near your office or home
- Use meditation or wellness apps that require only a few minutes a day
Small conveniences can make the difference between consistency and abandonment.
Track Progress and Celebrate Wins
Progress is motivating. Whether through a fitness app, journal, or simple checklist, tracking your habits creates accountability and reinforces success. Even small victories—such as three workouts in a week or a full week of healthy lunches—deserve recognition.
Momentum builds when you acknowledge progress rather than focusing on perfection.
Expect Setbacks — and Plan for Them
Every lawyer will have weeks derailed by trial, deadlines, travel, or emergencies. The mistake is allowing one bad week to become a bad month.
Instead:
- Resume immediately after a disruption
- Avoid all-or-nothing thinking
- Adjust your goal temporarily during busy periods
Use Accountability
Accountability dramatically improves follow-through. Consider:
- A workout partner
- A wellness or business coach
- A firm-wide wellness challenge
- A shared goal with a colleague
Remember Your “Why”
Your health and well-being are not luxuries—they are professional assets. Mental clarity, emotional resilience, stamina, and focus are all essential to the effective practice of law. Taking care of yourself ultimately makes you a better advocate, colleague, and leader.
A Resolution Worth Keeping
This year, aim for progress, not perfection. Build habits that support your long-term success, protect your energy, and enhance your quality of life. A healthier lawyer is a more effective lawyer—and that is a resolution worth keeping.
Questions? Contact
Know That Help is Always Available
If you are struggling with grief, sadness, anxiety, or any other emotion or stressor that is negatively impacting your daily life, please reach out for help. All Kentucky lawyers are eligible for four free visits with a mental health professional through the Kentucky Lawyers Assistance Program. For more information about the variety of confidential resources KYLAP offers, please visit www.KYLAP.org.
Questions? Contact
Upcoming Events
We look forward to seeing you!
We are proud to support the organizations that support you and your work! We will be out and about this spring, leading CLEs and sponsoring events. We hope you can join us at one of these currently scheduled events (and make sure to come say hello)!
January 23: New Lawyer Program, Lexington
February 18-20: KCAA Annual Meeting, Lexington
February 21: Polar Bear Plunge, Louisville
March 12-13: KDC Spring Meeting, Louisville
March 26: UK Family Law CLE, Lexington
We want to hear from you! Have a CLE topic you would like to see? Send suggestions to
Need a CLE Speaker? We would love to speak to your group! You can check out our updated list of available topics and request to schedule, here.