In a recent incident that highlights the potential pitfalls of relying on artificial intelligence in legal proceedings, the prestigious law firm Gordon Rees has found itself in hot water. The firm, which generated over $759 million in revenue in 2024 and ranks No. 71 on the Am Law 100, issued a heartfelt apology following a court filing that contained multiple errors attributed to AI-generated content.

The issue came to light after a bankruptcy filing submitted to U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Hawkins in Montgomery, Alabama, was found to be littered with what the judge described as "pervasive inaccurate, misleading, and fabricated citations, quotations, and representations of legal authority." This led to a severe reprimand from the judge, who demanded an explanation from the firm and Cassie Preston, the lawyer representing creditor Progressive Perfusion.

During the proceedings, Preston admitted to being aware that generative AI was used in preparing the filing, although she did not use it personally. She pleaded with the court for leniency, citing personal repercussions including potential job loss which could affect her family’s financial stability. Despite the oversight, Preston's professional profile remains active on the Gordon Rees website.

In response to this debacle, Gordon Rees has announced an overhaul of its AI policies, emphasizing the importance of a new "cite checking policy" to prevent future incidents. The firm expressed its readiness to accept any sanctions imposed by the court.

This incident serves as a cautionary tale for the legal industry, underscoring the limitations and risks associated with integrating AI into legal practices. While AI technology can significantly streamline various processes, this case vividly illustrates that it cannot substitute for thorough human oversight, especially in matters requiring rigorous factual and legal accuracy.

For more on this developing story, see coverage from Reuters [here](https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/large-us-law-firm-apologizes-ai-errors-bankruptcy-court-filing-2025-10-24/).