How are law firms currently applying AI 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 may emerge? Should AI be regulated, and, if so, how?
These were just some of the questions addressed during AI and the Virtue of Law, a one-week in-person residency held at Syracuse University College of Law in August designed for students in the JDinteractive (JDi) program, with participation also open to on-campus students. This deep-dive into AI was created and facilitated by Professor of Law Jack Graves, and students were eager to attend.
“I think AI will significantly transform law school education and the practice of law,” says Graves, noting that he sees AI as a means of more effective information sharing but also recognizes that many are “terrified” thinking that this technology could replace them. “We have to think about being nimble now because the essential human role today will likely be an AI role 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 properly, it can be an extraordinary tool.”
Graves, who has taught in the JDi program for the past five years, has a unique blend of expertise in design, development and delivery of accessible and legal education in an online learning environment and 21st century technology-leveraged law practice. A graduate of the University of Colorado Law School, Graves taught technology-leveraged delivery of legal services at the Touri Law Center for 14 years, and prior to that worked in private practice with Chrisman, Bynum & Johnson PC in Colorado and as a judicial law clerk for the U.S. Court of Appeals.
First Time AI Residency Was Popular Draw for JDi Students
Logan Gorg L’26 is a JDi student living in Pennsylvania, who made the trip to the Syracuse University campus to attend 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 probate law upon graduation.
“I learned so much about what AI is, and the information at the residency helped to dispel some of the fears and focus more on where the profession is going,” Gorg says. “Sitting in a room with a group with diverse backgrounds and experiences talking about whether AI was doom or salvation was so interesting. I think the residency showed us that AI is unavoidable, but, if we get out in front of it, we can reap some of the benefits in the legal profession.”
Graves had been contemplating developing a semester-long course in AI for the JDi program, but ultimately he decided that the lightning speed of the technology would be better suited for a short-form, concentrated residency where students with different levels of familiarity could join together to think about being nimble and adapting to technology that is already changing the way the legal field operates.
AI Voice-Driven Technology Used to Teach, Demonstrate Abilities
Coincidentally, the residency took place just as ChatGPT launched Advanced Voice Mode, a significant upgrade that allows for natural, real time conversations using AI. Graves used “Max,” as he named the voice-driven AI technology, to help co-teach the residency and answer students’ questions directly.
“We would have a discussion, and I would say, ‘Max, what do you think?’, explains Graves. “At first students were uncomfortable with it, but once Max started responding and asking them questions using the Socratic method, they started to see how fascinating a learning AI tool could be.”
Approach to AI in the Law Resonated Well with JDi Students
Jenny Cameron L’27, who co-owns VIP Marinas with her husband in Florida, decided to enroll in law school to bring a legal perspective to her family business. She, too, attended the AI residency and walked away amazed.
“Honestly, it was one of those residencies that was life changing,” she says. “Before I attended, I was on the fringes of AI, barely using ChatGPT, but since then I’ve been using AI extensively in some form. Part of law school is practicing and knowing how to use AI better and faster, and what I learned at the residency was eye opening. I commend Syracuse Law and Professor Graves for taking the lead on this and helping guide us on how we should be approaching this technology.”
Another participant was Bryan Beene ‘26 a high school government teacher from Texas, who is pursuing law school to prepare for a second career once he retires. He hopes to work as a lawyer in the education or church law space.
“I registered for this AI residency for two reasons: one because Professor Graves was teaching it, and he is one of the best professors I’ve ever had, and two, I had never used AI except for Google searches, and I knew a lack of knowledge around this technology would be a detriment in representing a client,” Beene explains. He noted that he enjoyed learning more about the use of the available tools, as well as discussing the legal and ethical issues, and how regulations and the law are often not keeping up with this fast moving technology.
The newly introduced AI and the Virtue of Law residency received “incredible feedback” from students, according to Graves, who believes this is a topic that should be revisited once a year.
Graves says, “This is not a static course, as the technology is changing continuously, but I think the approach resonated well with the students, not only by teaching them skills but by allaying some of their fears while also emphasizing to them that AI technology in the legal field is advancing fast and furiously. So they need to prepare now.”