AI in Family Law: Benefits, Pitfalls, and Evidence in Domestic Violence Cases

This session introduces the foundational concepts of artificial intelligence, distinguishing between traditional AI and generative AI, and explores how these technologies are already embedded in everyday legal workflows. Attendees will gain a clear understanding of how AI tools — from navigation apps to legal research platforms — are quietly transforming the practice of law.

This session examines the practical benefits of AI in family law, including discovery review, transcript summarization, and legal research, while addressing the serious risks of hallucinated citations, confidentiality breaches, and ethical violations. Attorneys will learn how applicable Rules of Professional Conduct — including duties of competence, candor, and supervision — continue to govern AI use without exception.

This session explores how deepfake technology and AI manipulation can be weaponized to fabricate text messages, photographs, videos, and other electronic evidence in domestic violence proceedings. Attendees will examine the evidentiary and procedural challenges that arise in summary TRO and FRO hearings when authenticity of digital evidence is in dispute.

This session provides actionable strategies for authenticating electronic evidence, requesting adjournments for expert review, and pursuing emergent relief when AI-manipulated evidence is suspected. Practitioners will also learn best practices for implementing firm-wide AI use policies and utilizing available resources such as the New Jersey Ethics Hotline.