In June 2025, my term as chair of the State Bar of Texas Taskforce for Responsible AI in the Law (TRAIL) concluded. It was a privilege to lead this dedicated group of attorneys, judges, and paralegals during a defining moment in our profession’s response to emerging technology.
TRAIL was originally convened in 2023 at the direction of the then-State Bar president, Cindy Tisdale, under the leadership of its inaugural chair, John Browning, to explore how artificial intelligence might impact the practice of law in Texas. When I was appointed chair in 2024 by the 2024-2025 State Bar president, Steve Benesh, we set out to create something more concrete and translate early insights into a practical, living resource that could serve lawyers across the state. The result was the development and launch of the State Bar of Texas AI Toolkit, now available at texasbarpractice.com/artificial-intelligence-toolkit/.
The toolkit was the central project of our term, and it reflects our collective effort to equip Texas lawyers with the tools to engage with AI thoughtfully, ethically, and confidently. It includes guidance on integrating AI into practice, model firm policies, FAQs, curated articles, and insights on professional responsibility, confidentiality, and client communication in an AI-enhanced legal environment. It is designed to evolve alongside the technology, offering a flexible framework to support both innovation and accountability.
The toolkit’s creation was the product of tireless collaboration. I am deeply grateful to the task force members, who brought not only technical acumen and legal insight but also a shared sense of responsibility to the profession. Their hard work and thoughtful contributions made this resource possible. I also want to extend sincere thanks to the State Bar of Texas staff, whose coordination, editing, and web development were indispensable throughout this process.
Another significant initiative during my tenure involved continued engagement with the Professional Ethics Committee for the State Bar of Texas regarding the responsible use of AI. The original request for a formal ethics opinion was submitted during Browning’s term. In 2024, we reiterated that request and submitted expanded recommendations, research, and model frameworks for consideration. When Proposed Opinion 2024-6 (later designated Opinion 702) was published for public comment in November 2024, the task force responded with a detailed letter.
That letter, submitted in December 2024, offered legal analysis, clarified the limitations and benefits of AI systems, and emphasized the importance of a permissive ethical framework that allows for responsible experimentation. The comment also urged the committee to avoid overbroad disclosure obligations that could hinder practical adoption and disproportionately affect small firms. We were pleased to see several of our concerns and perspectives reflected in the final version of the opinion.
Now, as the legal profession continues to navigate the accelerating pace of technological change, the State Bar has transitioned from a temporary task force to a permanent Emerging Technology Committee. I’m honored to have been appointed to this new committee and look forward to continuing this work and to helping shape the bar’s future guidance as the pace of innovation accelerates. While not all task force members transitioned to the new committee, their foundational work remains at the heart of this ongoing initiative.
AI is not a distant or speculative tool—it is already reshaping how we deliver legal services. The toolkit and our engagement with the ethics opinion process represent only the beginning. I encourage all Texas lawyers to explore the toolkit, reflect on their own use of technology, and remain engaged as we continue to define what competent, ethical, and modern legal practice looks like.
Lisa M. Angelo is a privacy and technology attorney and served as chair of the State Bar of Texas Taskforce for Responsible AI in the Law (TRAIL) in 2024-2025.