Deepfakes, Data, and Duty: Navigating AI Ethics in Law, with Merisa Bowers

Lawyerist Podcast

In episode 582 of Lawyerist Podcast, Zack Glaser talks with Merisa Bowers, Loss Prevention and Outreach Counsel at the Ohio Bar Liability Insurance Company, about how artificial intelligence is reshaping lawyers’ ethical duties.

Merisa explains how deepfakes and realistic scams are creating new challenges for diligence and verification, why unregulated chatbots can accidentally create attorney-client relationships, and what disclosures lawyers should make when using AI tools. She also shares practical steps to maintain confidentiality, protect client data, and apply long-standing ethics rules to fast-changing technologies.

Links from the episode: 

ABA Formal Opinion 512 - Generative AI

ABA Formal Opinion 510 - Prospective Clients & Rule 1.18

Listen to our previous episodes about non-lawyer ownership:

• #354: A Look at the New Non-lawyer Firm Ownership Reform, with Lori Gonzalez: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Lawyerist

• #355: A Look at the New Non-lawyer Firm Ownership Reform, Pt.2, with Allen Rodriguez: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Lawyerist

• #221: The State of the Legal Profession, with ABA President Robert M. Carlson: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Lawyerist

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Chapters / Timestamps:

0:00 – ClioCon
4:45 – Meet Merisa Bowers
6:50 – Tech Shifts & New Ethics Risks
9:10 – Deepfakes & Diligence
13:40 – AI Scams & Fake Clients
18:30 – Chatbots Creating Clients

23:40 – Ethical Chatbot Models
26:45 – Should Lawyers Disclose AI?
29:40 – Don’t Let AI Think for You
34:20 – Protecting Client Data
36:10 – Staying Ethical with AI
37:40 – Wrap-Up & Final Thoughts