DESCRIPTION

Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming embedded in day-to-day litigation workflows, reshaping how lawyers manage information, communicate with clients, and deliver legal services. Simultaneously, the legal framework governing these tools continues to evolve incrementally, often lagging behind the technology itself, while professional conduct standards increasingly treat technological competence as a baseline obligation, not a specialized skill. The result is a growing tension: attorneys are expected to adopt and competently use advanced technology even as precedent lags. Drawing on real-world litigation workflows, this session will examine how attorneys can reasonably and responsibly navigate that gap—integrating AI into their practice in a way that is both practical and defensible. As part of the ethics portion of this session, we will explore the dual nature of modern risk, where attorneys face potential exposure not only from using AI improperly, but also from failing to use technological tools competently, diligently, and confidentially to improve accuracy, organization, and client service. Attendees will gain practical insights and immediate takeaways for incorporating AI into their existing workflows, as well as a deeper understanding of why adopting a measured, disciplined approach to AI integration—one grounded in consistency, transparency, and sound professional judgment—is critical for improving efficiency while maintaining alignment with ethical and professional duties. After the session, attendees can anticipate feeling equipped with a defensible approach to integrating AI into their practice—balancing innovation with the caution and professional judgment required of the modern reasonable lawyer.

GUEST SPEAKERS    

Keely E. Duke is a founding member of Duke Evett, PLLC and widely recognized as one of Idaho’s premier trial attorneys, with more than 25 years of experience handling complex civil litigation across a broad range of industries. She has successfully tried over 20 jury trials to verdict and is also an accomplished appellate advocate, with experience before the Idaho Supreme Court and the Ninth Circuit. Keely’s practice includes defense of catastrophic loss, professional liability, product liability, and business litigation matters, as well as advising insurers on high-exposure claims. Keely has been “AV Preeminent” peer-review rated by Martindale-Hubbell since 2008, and has been aptly described by a major client for her "sheer hard work, great organization, diligence and determination to fight tooth and nail for her clients" in Chambers U.S.A. She also serves in numerous leadership roles, including the Idaho Judicial Council, the USLAW Network Executive Committee and Board of Directors, and the Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee.

Christina M. Hesse is a partner at Duke Evett, PLLC in Boise where she focuses her practice on medical and professional malpractice defense and complex business litigation. She is a trial-tested litigator with a strong record of defense-favorable outcomes, known for her strategic approach to expert-driven cases and her depth of engagement with complex medical and scientific issues. Christina is also a frequent presenter and thought leader on the intersection of litigation practice, technology, and professional responsibility, and holds leadership roles with Idaho Women Lawyers, the USLAW Network, the American Health Law Association, and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Ada County.

An application for 1.00 CLE hour (.50 in ethics)
has been submitted to the Idaho State Bar.