Can a chatbot replace your attorney? A recent report claims many people trust artificial intelligence more than living, breathing lawyers—but longtime legal expert Walter Clark is pushing back.
“I don’t like the article you referred to,” Clark said during an interview on NBC Palm Springs. “They only talked to about 280 people and didn’t share the actual data. And their conclusion? That people preferred AI because its language was more complex. That’s the opposite of what we try to do as attorneys.”
The story sparked debate after suggesting that AI-generated responses—like those from ChatGPT—were seen as more trustworthy than advice from human attorneys. But Clark says that’s missing the point.
“The real question is: Can AI replace attorneys?” Clark said. “And I really don’t think so.”
He explained that while AI can be useful, it lacks the experience and nuance required for real-world legal work. “You can’t put your legal problem into ChatGPT and go represent yourself in court. AI doesn’t understand judges, courtrooms, or client interaction. Those are human elements.”
Clark did acknowledge broader concerns. “Meta is reportedly laying off software engineers because AI can handle the coding. So how far does this go?”
He also pointed to an important recommendation from the study: regulation. “The European Union has started requiring that AI-generated content be clearly marked. That kind of transparency is important. AI makes a lot of mistakes—it’s not a substitute for professional expertise.”
Despite growing interest in AI across industries, Clark isn’t worried about being replaced any time soon. “Your instinctive investigations, Fred, or your charming television personality—AI can’t replicate that,” he added with a laugh.
For now, it seems the courtroom—and the anchor desk—remain safe from the robots.
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By: Fred Roggin
May 2, 2025
