United StatesProfessional services2025Butler Snow LLP
Filings with ChatGPT-supplied citations in an Alabama prison lawsuit (Johnson v Dunn)
Federal judge disqualified three Butler Snow lawyers and reprimanded them after ChatGPT invented citations
Problem
Two filings in a state prison lawsuit cited cases that were inaccurate or did not exist. Partner Matthew Reeves said he used ChatGPT while rushing and did not verify the citations.
Approach
Judge Anna Manasco disqualified Reeves, William Cranford and William Lunsford from the case, reprimanded them publicly and ordered them to share her order with clients, opposing counsel, judges and colleagues. The clerk was to send it to the Alabama State Bar. Butler Snow LLP and two other lawyers were released without sanction.
Results
No figures published
Takeaway
The penalty fell on the named lawyers and the notification duty reached their clients and colleagues. Butler Snow LLP was released without sanction.
Categories
- Size
- Large enterprise
- Industry
- Professional services
- Business function
- Finance, risk and legalInternal work and knowledge management
- Innovation type
- Process innovation
- AI technology
- Generative AI
- Adoption
- Off-the-shelf tool or platform
- Evidence
- Press reporting
Sources
Source summaries
The order of 23 July 2025 disqualified three Butler Snow lawyers and required them to notify clients and colleagues. Matthew Reeves said he had used ChatGPT while rushing and had not verified the citations.
Full details are in the original sources.