Page 5 - December 2018 | Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Journal

COLuMN BarJournal

JULY/AUGUST 2015

LAW 2040 TASK fOrCe:

PREPARING ouR PRoFESSIoN FoR AI

Marlon A. Primes frOM THe PreSIdenT

n fall of 1982, I arrived at Ohio University In order to help us prepare to use AI to although the early adoption of AI and
as a freshman after working all summer better our practice while still employing other new technologies may seem at
as a bus boy and dishwasher at an Akron a robust workforce, the Cleveland times to be intimidating, I am confident
restaurant to be able to afford the latest Metropolitan Bar Association has formed that the Law 2040 Task Force will propel
Iacademic technology, a typewriter with the Law 2040 Task Force. This group our bar association into the future feeling
correction ribbon. The innovation significantly of individuals will help us to analyze assured that we are investing our time and
reduced the frustration of making errors when the value of AI and other developing efforts into technology that will change our
typing essays and assignments, and I was proud technologies and decide how best to use profession for the better.
of myself for working so hard to purchase it. I them to our advantage. If you are interested in joining the Law
cheerfully carried the typewriter and its black Law 2040 is still in its formative stages, 2040 Task Force or have suggestions on
carrying case with me to Ohio University, and its purpose is to envision how members how we can take advantage of artificial
knowing the sacrifices I made would pay off. of the bar and others in the field of law will intelligence, please contact me at marlon.
However, the world continued to change, practice 20 years from now. I, and the other primes@usdoj.gov.
and the typewriter with correction ribbon members of the task force, hope to learn
quickly became obsolete as new technology more on the topic and develop ways to put
took over the market. Next came word members of the bar in the best position Marlon A. Primes has been a CMBA member
processors housed in crowded computer to represent their clients efficiently and since 1993. He previously served as: a member of
labs, which were inconvenient because there effectively while still upholding the highest the Board of Trustees, the Chair of the Litigation
was no guarantee that a computer would professional and ethical standards. Section, the Chair of the 3Rs Committee, and the
become available to use to meet deadlines. Robert Hager, a managing partner at Chair of the Justice for All Committee. Marlon
Floppy disks were great for their time, too, Brennan, Manna & Diamond in Akron and has worked as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in
and then came personal laptops. one of my longtime friends, is one of the Cleveland for the past 26 years. He received his
I learned quickly in college and in the founding members of the task force. His law degree from Georgetown University Law
following years that technology changes experience in strategic planning for firms Center and his undergraduate degree from Ohio
rapidly, and in order to remain current and makes him an invaluable resource who University’s E.W. Scripps School of Journalism.
effective, people and organizations must will help the group commit to being an He can be reached at (216) 622-3684 or Marlon.
change rapidly, too. The latest development innovative and collaborative information Primes@usdoj.gov. Follow him on Twitter
in technology that can drastically change the source that anticipates technological @MPrimesCMBA.
way we conduct business and practice law is changes and help members of the bar to do
artificial intelligence (AI). Algorithms have the same. Certified Auto/Motorcycle Appraisals
been crafted to predict an attorney’s chance “We want to try and be out in front of this Certified Appraisers for:

of winning a case, contracts and legal briefs issue. We don’t want to be the last ones to Charitable Donations/Estate Planning

can be created in an automated blink of the party,” Hager said. “These are the sort All Insurance Claims
an eye with IBM’s ROSS Intelligence legal of cutting-edge, innovation issues that law Bankruptcy
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hand during discovery has become a tedious every law firm having to figure it out for
labor of the past. themselves, the task force can come together
Some studies have shown that AI and share ideas and have discussions and
could reduce jobs in the legal profession see what’s going on.”
dramatically in the next ten years. Globally, I know from my personal experience
more and more firms are integrating AI into in the 1980s with my typewriter with Auto Appraisal Group • John Golias
their workplaces, but many remain unaware correction ribbon that it is difficult to 440-526-3445 • 800-848-2886
of the new developments in the field. anticipate and accept change. Similarly, www.autoappraisal.com
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