AI Risk Control Pack For Solo Lawyers

A practical AI risk control checklist before using AI in client confidential, privileged or court facing work.

Before you use AI in client work, know where the professional risks lie.

AI is already finding its way into solo legal practice as a thought partner, and also through drafting, research preparation, client communication, document review, administration and workflow.

Used well, it may help. Used carelessly, it can create real professional risk.

It helps solo lawyers identify the key issues before using AI in client, confidential, privileged or court-facing work.

The Big Question?

Before using AI in your practice, can you answer this?

Can I identify, control, verify and practically explain this use of AI?

That means knowing:

  • what tool is being used;

  • why it is being used;

  • what information is going into it;

  • how the output is checked;

  • whether confidentiality, privilege or privacy are affected; and

  • whether court, client or professional obligations are engaged.

If not, you may not be ready to use AI for that task.

What The AI Risk Control Pack Covers

  • AI use-case review

  • low / caution / high-risk use categories

  • tool and settings review

  • client information and confidentiality check

  • privilege and privacy prompts

  • legal output verification check

  • court / tribunal / evidence use check

  • cyber and access control prompts

  • client terms, pricing and file-record prompts

  • minimum AI readiness review

It is designed to be practical, direct and easy to use.

Who It Is For?

  • solo solicitors;

  • sole practitioners;

  • consultant lawyers;

  • lawyers starting their own practice;

  • barristers and solicitors working independently;

  • small practice principals using or considering AI.

Prepared by Paul Ippolito, adviser to solo lawyers, and practising lawyer himself, drawing on more than 18 years of solo law firm practice experience and signficant practical advisory work with lawyers setting up, strengthening and reshaping sole practices.

Important Note

This checklist is a practical issue spotting tool only. It is general in nature and does not replace professional judgment, legal advice, current professional conduct obligations, court practice notes, privacy obligations, cyber guidance, or the terms of any AI product or tool. It is not an official regulator, court or professional body document and does not certify that a practice is compliant or “AI safe”. It is jurisdiction neutral. Lawyers should check the conduct, privacy and professional obligations that apply in their jurisdiction, practice area, matter and AI tool.

Buy The AI Risk Control Pack For Solo Lawyers Here
Buy The AI Risk Control Pack For Solo Lawyers Here