---
title: "Screen a public legal tool for assisting the unauthorized practice of law"
url: "https://ailawframework.com/obligations/client-facing-and-access-to-justice-ai-tools/screen-a-public-legal-tool-for-unqualified-legal-practice/united-states"
type: "task_jurisdiction_version"
site: "AI Law Framework"
id: "A43-JU20261022-1-US"
practice_area: "Client-facing & access-to-justice AI tools"
tier: "yellow"
lawyer_review: "required"
jurisdictions: ["US"]
last_reviewed: "2026-10-22"
---

# Screen a public legal tool for assisting the unauthorized practice of law

> From the tool's screens and sample answers, list each place it states or implies that the user is receiving legal services or the help of a lawyer, and each place a user can obtain a document for a legal step.…

Canonical page: https://ailawframework.com/obligations/client-facing-and-access-to-justice-ai-tools/screen-a-public-legal-tool-for-unqualified-legal-practice/united-states  
Last reviewed: 2026-10-22

Site index for agents: https://ailawframework.com/llms.txt

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Practice area | [Client-facing & access-to-justice AI tools](https://ailawframework.com/obligations/client-facing-and-access-to-justice-ai-tools.md) |
| Human involvement | Yellow: Lawyer and AI draft together |
| How AI is used | From the tool's screens and sample answers, list each place it states or implies that the user is receiving legal services or the help of a lawyer, and each place a user can obtain a document for a legal step. Do not rewrite the tool. |
| What the lawyer must review | Model Rule 5.5(a) says a lawyer shall not practice law in a jurisdiction in violation of the regulation of the legal profession in that jurisdiction, or assist another in doing so. The lawyer decides whether operating or assisting the tool would be that assistance. Formal Opinion 512 says lawyers may not leave it to a generative tool alone to offer legal advice to clients. |
| Written for | United States |
| Applies to | [Screen a public legal tool for unqualified legal practice](https://ailawframework.com/obligations/client-facing-and-access-to-justice-ai-tools/screen-a-public-legal-tool-for-unqualified-legal-practice.md) |

## Checking plan

- What the AI does: From the tool's screens and sample answers, list each place it states or implies that the user is receiving legal services or the help of a lawyer, and each place a user can obtain a document for a legal step. Do not rewrite the tool.
- Basis: Checked against the linked sources on 22 October 2026. Confirm the current instrument before reliance.

## Notes

- The text opened is the ABA Model Rule. The rule adopted in the lawyer's jurisdiction controls where it differs.
- Rule 5.5 binds the lawyer. It does not itself define unauthorized practice by a person who is not a lawyer. That definition is the jurisdiction's, and it was not opened.

## Sources

- [ABA Model Rule 5.5, Unauthorized practice of law](https://www.americanbar.org/groups/professional_responsibility/publications/model_rules_of_professional_conduct/rule_5_5_unauthorized_practice_of_law_multijurisdictional_practice_of_law/) (checked 2026-10-22)
- [ABA Formal Opinion 512, Generative Artificial Intelligence Tools (29 July 2024)](https://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/administrative/professional_responsibility/ethics-opinions/aba-formal-opinion-512.pdf) (checked 2026-10-22)

*Practice guidance for planning and review. Confirm current primary sources and the requirements of the actual matter. This is general information, not legal advice.*