Colorado Judicial Institute to Host Forum on AI's Impact on Legal Profession

The Colorado Judicial Institute (CJI), Colorado's independent nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to court excellence, will host a thought leadership forum addressing artificial intelligence's growing influence on the legal profession. Scheduled for November 6, 2025, the event titled "AI Today: What the Legal Community Needs to Know Right Now" brings together judges and legal experts to examine AI's transformative effects on courtroom ethics and law firm operations.

CJI Board Chair Thor Nelson emphasized the urgency of addressing AI's implications, stating that artificial intelligence has moved beyond theoretical discussion to become an immediate concern for legal professionals. "AI is no longer a future trend. It's here now, and it's already testing the boundaries of ethics, professionalism, and trust in our courts," Nelson said. The forum aims to provide Colorado's legal community with practical insights for navigating both the risks and opportunities presented by AI technologies.

The panel discussion will feature three distinguished legal experts addressing different aspects of AI integration. Honorable Lino Lipinsky of the Colorado Court of Appeals will examine how the Colorado Rules of Professional Conduct govern attorneys' use of generative AI, including analysis of real-world cases involving AI misuse and their consequences. This session addresses growing concerns about attorneys relying on AI-generated content without proper verification, potentially compromising client representation and professional standards.

Honorable Maritza Dominguez Braswell from the U.S. District Court, District of Colorado will explore AI's broader societal and legal impacts, focusing on critical issues of bias, accuracy, and the ethical boundaries between what AI can accomplish versus what it should be permitted to do in legal contexts. Her presentation comes as courts nationwide grapple with AI-generated evidence, automated legal research, and algorithmic decision-making systems that may perpetuate existing biases or introduce new forms of discrimination.

Katina Banks, Esq. from Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP will discuss practical implementation of AI in legal practice, examining how firms are integrating artificial intelligence into client service delivery while establishing necessary frameworks for responsible adoption. Her insights will cover the balance between efficiency gains and maintaining professional standards, particularly as law firms increasingly deploy AI for document review, contract analysis, and legal research tasks.

The forum will take place at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP's Denver offices at 1900 Lawrence Street, with registration and networking from 4:00-5:00 p.m. followed by the main program from 5:00-6:30 p.m. Attendees can earn 2 CLE credits, including 0.8 ethics credits and 1.2 general credits. Registration is available through CJI's website with fees set at $100 for CJI members and $125 for non-members. The event reflects the legal community's growing recognition that artificial intelligence requires immediate attention and thoughtful regulation to preserve the integrity of judicial processes while harnessing technological advancements.