How are law firms currently applying artificial intelligence in the workplace to maximize client services? What are the ethical implications of using AI in the legal field? How will AI impact the current role of lawyers and what new jobs could emerge? Should AI be regulated, and if so, how?
These are just some of the questions covered during AI and the Virtue of Law, a week-long in-person residency hosted at Faculty of Law in August intended for students of JDinteractive Program (JDi)with participation also open to students on campus. This deep dive into AI was created and facilitated by Professor of Law Jack Graves.
“I think AI will dramatically transform law school education and the practice of law,” Graves says, noting that he sees AI as a more effective way to share information, but also acknowledges that many are “terrified” that this technology could replace them.
“We need to think about being agile now because the essential role of humans today will likely be that of AI in just a few years, and we don’t want to be left behind. Through this residency, I wanted to help demystify generative AI because, used correctly, it can be an extraordinary tool,” explains Graves.
Graves, who has taught in the JDi program for five years, has a unique blend of expertise in the design, development and delivery of accessible and legal education in an online learning environment and 21st century, a legal practice taking advantage of technology.
A graduate of the University of Colorado Law School, Graves taught technology-enabled legal service delivery at the Touri Law Center for 14 years. Prior to that, he worked in private practice at Chrisman, Bynum & Johnson PC in Colorado and as a law clerk at the United States Court of Appeals.
First residency is a popular draw
Logan Gorg L’26 is a JDi student living in Pennsylvania who traveled to campus to complete the AI residency. She has worked as a paralegal at the law firm of Ross & Ross LLC for the past 10 years and is looking to focus on real estate and estate law after graduation.
“I learned a lot about what AI is, and the information gained during the residency helped to allay some fears and make me more focused on the future of the profession,” says Gorg. “It was very interesting to sit in a room with a group of diverse backgrounds and experiences to discuss whether AI was a disaster or a salvation. I think the residency showed us that AI is inevitable, but if we take the lead, we can reap some of the benefits in the legal profession.”
Graves had considered developing a semester-long course on AI for the JDi program, but ultimately decided that the blazing speed of the technology would be better suited to a short, focused residency where students with varying levels of familiarity could come together to think about agility and adaptation to technology that is already changing how the legal field works.
Voice-based AI technology used to teach and demonstrate abilities
Coincidentally, the residency took place just as ChatGPT launched Advanced Voice Mode, a significant upgrade that enables natural, real-time conversations using AI. Graves used “Max,” as he named the voice AI technology, to help co-teach the residency and answer students’ questions directly.
“We were having a discussion and I was like, ‘Max, what do you think? “, explains Graves. “At first, the students weren’t comfortable with it, but once Max started answering and asking them questions using the Socratic method, they began to see how fascinating an AI learning tool could be.”
AI approach to law resonates with JDi students
Jenny Cameron L’27, co-owner of VIP Marinas with her husband in Florida, decided to enroll in law school to bring a legal perspective to her family business. She also participated in the AI residency and came away amazed.
“Honestly, it was one of those residencies that changed my life,” Cameron says. “Before attending, I was on the fringes of AI, barely using ChatGPT, but since then I have been using AI extensively in one form or another. Part of law school is practicing and knowing how to use AI better and faster, and what I learned in residency was an eye-opener for me. I commend the Law School and Professor Graves for taking the lead in this area and helping guide us on the how we should approach this technology.
Another attendee was Bryan Beene ’26, a Texas high school government teacher who is pursuing a law degree to prepare for a second career once he retires. He hopes to work as a lawyer in the field of education or church law.
“I signed up for this AI residency for two reasons: firstly because Professor Graves taught it, and he is one of the best teachers I have ever had; and second, because I had never used AI except for Google searches, and I knew that a lack of knowledge about this technology would harm a client’s representation,” says Beene.
Beene noted that he enjoyed learning more about using the tools available, as well as discussing legal and ethical issues, as well as the fact that regulations and the law often don’t keep up with this rapidly evolving technology.
The newly introduced residency in AI and Law has received “incredible feedback” from students, says Graves, who believes it is a topic that should be revisited once a year.
“This is not a static course, as technology is continually evolving, but I think the approach resonated well with students, not only teaching them skills, but allaying some of their fears while emphasizing to them that AI technology in the legal field is advancing fast and furious, so they need to prepare now,” says Graves.