14 June 2024; start date not confirmedProfessional guidanceWest Virginia Lawyer Disciplinary BoardLast checked 31 October 2026
Jurisdiction
West Virginia: AI rules for lawyers
West Virginia, United States · Switch state
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What this means for lawyers
The Lawyer Disciplinary Board's Legal Ethics Opinion 24-01 (14 June 2024) says nothing in the Rules of Professional Conduct per se prohibits using AI, but existing duties (competence, diligence, communication, confidentiality, supervision, candour) apply in full.
Verify every AI output. The opinion says AI is at best a secondary source. Failing to make sure AI work is accurate and complete can breach Rules 1.1, 3.2, 3.3 and 4.1, and fake citations implicate the duty of candour.
Client communication: the opinion says a lawyer should obtain client approval before using generative AI, with informed consent confirmed in writing. Legal Ethics Opinions are advisory only and do not bind the Supreme Court of Appeals.
Check each court and judge for standing orders on AI disclosure or certification, as the opinion itself instructs. No state-wide court rule was found.
As at .
Telling the court and the client
- Tell the courtUnclear
Court disclosure: no rule found at state level. The opinion tells lawyers to check court-specific rules and standing orders. Client disclosure/consent: it depends. The opinion says a lawyer should obtain informed consent, confirmed in writing, but the opinion is advisory only.
- Tell the clientVaries
Same basis and sources as above.
What changed in West Virginia in the last 12 months
No new or changed AI rules recorded for West Virginia in the last 12 months.
AI instruments
State bar and regulators
Legislation
2026-10-31; start date not confirmedBinding ruleWest Virginia LegislatureLast checked 31 October 2026
Sources
- West Virginia Lawyer Disciplinary Board: Legal Ethics Opinion 24-01: Artificial Intelligence · last checked
- West Virginia Legislature: West Virginia Code §5A-6-9: West Virginia Task Force on Artificial Intelligence · last checked
- Recent Rules Orders · last checked
- Legal Ethics Opinions · last checked
- Administrative Office of the Supreme Court of Appeals · last checked
- Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia · last checked
Court AI rule changes + new tools, monthly
One email a month when a court changes its AI practice note or a tool is added to the catalogue. Your address is kept for that note. See Privacy.
Before the work starts
- Define the matter
Confirm the client’s instructions, jurisdiction, intended output and the information available before dividing the work.
- Confirm the source material
Check the work against the original records and identify omissions, contradictions and remaining information.
- Record review and approval
Resolve exceptions and record the responsible lawyer’s approval of the exact output and intended use.
- Jurisdiction
Apply this guidance to the actual matter and jurisdiction. Confirm current requirements before relying on an example.
Limits on AI assistance
- Confirm firm, client and applicable court or professional restrictions before using any AI feature.