By Andrew Soshnick, AAML

Presenters:

• Charles DeLacey, Higdon, DeLacey, Riebel & Shindell, LLP
• Stephen Smith, Intelligence by Intent
• Peter R. Stambleck, Mossberg Sharma Stambleck Gross, LLP

The 2026 Midyear Meeting session “How Family Lawyers Are Using AI Today (Part 2)” delivered an educational, example-filled explanation of AI and its various applications for family law lawyers that focused on efficiencies brought to the practice of law.   

The panelists — Charles DeLacey, Stephen Smith and Peter Stambleck — each provided detailed discussion as to how their firms or consultancy used generative AI and integrated its usage into their firm and consultancy models.

The presenters explained the difference between open and closed-end AI systems and offered a comparative analysis of their use of different systems. They incorporated terms of usage of AI in their engagement letters so that clients are aware of and consent to AI use. Each presenter noted the time savings associated with AI while recognizing the practical limitations of AI models that are rapidly evolving. Each emphasized the need to verify AI data and cautioned against hallucinations. 

The presenters then turned to examples that showed the prowess of AI. They began with a problem showing how co-work through AI application Claude can assess more than 100 financial statements. They then turned to how AI can conduct a financial analysis of credit card statements, noting the immense time savings from human review. AI broke out the spending by categories, identifying trends and creating visual presentations and Excel spreadsheets. That data could be used to create trial summaries. The next problem demonstrated how document timeline creation can occur from notes, letters and pleadings. AI generated a concise and persuasive summary. From there, the presenters showed how AI can conduct a deep research comparison that resulted in detailed information and assessment of voluminous documents such as deposition transcripts to assess the imputation of income to self-employed parties. The presenters also noted that AI can help with organizing and drafting documents such as settlement agreements. An example also demonstrated how medical records can be reviewed and summarized in a short amount of time by using AI.

Attendees left this session with a deeper understanding of the use and efficiencies of AI, having seen real-world applications. They also were provided caveats as to the use of AI and its limitations, with appropriate cautions as to privacy and verification considerations. This session showed how experienced attorneys and consultants use AI to better serve clients and create streamlined office operations, all of which benefit AAML Fellows and their current practices.