Masters Conference Denver | Recap by Right Discovery Staff Writer
At the Masters Conference in Denver, Judge Maritza Dominguez Braswell delivered a compelling talk that explored how artificial intelligence—especially generative AI—is reshaping the legal landscape. Her insights tackled everything from deepfakes and evidentiary trust to the evolving role of judges and the next generation of legal professionals.
With clarity and candor, Judge Braswell peeled back the layers of AI adoption in the justice system. Her central message was clear: AI isn’t coming—it's already here. And how the legal field responds now will shape the future of fairness, access, and credibility in the courtroom.
From Search Tool to Strategic Partner: How AI Is Quietly Transforming Legal Work
Unlike traditional technology rollouts, AI adoption in the legal world hasn’t started from the top down. Instead, it's been grassroots—driven by individual lawyers, clerks, and legal students experimenting with tools like ChatGPT and Claude long before firms and agencies formally endorsed their use.
Judge Braswell emphasized that this bottom-up momentum is shifting how the legal system operates. AI is no longer just about speeding up research or formatting memos. It’s being used to summarize depositions, simulate scenarios, and even brainstorm case strategies.
“This isn’t just about doing the same work faster,” she noted. “It’s about doing new types of work we couldn’t imagine before.”
As a result, the legal profession is seeing the early signs of cultural and procedural transformation—driven not by mandates, but by curiosity and necessity.
Red Flags: Deepfakes, Bias, and the Burden of Proof
Judge Braswell didn’t shy away from the more uncomfortable realities of AI in law. With the rise of generative tools, courts are increasingly vulnerable to AI-manipulated evidence—including deepfake videos, fabricated documents, and simulated victim statements.
“Judges are already facing evidence that looks real, sounds real, and feels real—but isn’t,” she said. “That’s a serious challenge for our justice system.”
She also addressed the issue of bias baked into AI models—warning that if those models are trained on flawed or discriminatory data, they may unintentionally reinforce injustice. For courts that rely on objectivity and precedent, that’s a dangerous proposition.
AI isn’t just changing how we evaluate evidence—it’s changing the very standards of verification. That means the bench must be even more vigilant, leaning on experience, procedural knowledge, and transparency to uphold fairness.
The Judge’s Evolving Role in the Age of AI
In today’s courtroom, judges aren’t just making rulings—they’re also becoming interpreters of technology. Judge Braswell described the growing responsibility judges have in translating complex AI tools and outcomes for juries, litigants, and even attorneys.
“Judges must explain what AI can and can’t do,” she said. “That means staying informed, asking the right questions, and shaping how this technology is introduced in the courtroom.”
With no federal AI regulations in place, much of the burden currently falls on state courts and individual judges to define precedent, set boundaries, and model ethical engagement with AI. According to Judge Braswell, this is an opportunity as much as it is a challenge. Judges are uniquely positioned to lead the legal system through this transition—with fairness, context, and clarity.
What’s Already Working: Efficiency Without Replacement
While the concerns are real, Judge Braswell also highlighted positive examples of AI improving court operations—particularly in administrative processes. In states like Florida, AI has been quietly used to speed up case routing, manage dockets, and reduce research backlogs—all without eliminating jobs.
“AI didn’t replace clerks—it helped them do more with less,” she noted. “That’s the kind of innovation we need more of.”
However, she cautioned that efficiency should never compromise trust. The integration of AI must be transparent, governed, and aligned with legal principles—not just convenience.
What Tomorrow’s Lawyers (and Judges) Need
Judge Braswell closed with a clear message about the human skills that will matter most in the AI-enhanced legal field: critical thinking, communication, ethical decision-making, and adaptability. As AI takes on more of the routine and technical tasks, legal professionals will be valued for their judgment, empathy, and leadership.
Interestingly, she addressed the idea of lawyers becoming “prompt engineers” with a smile:
“We’ve always been prompt engineers. Asking questions to get to the truth—that’s what lawyers do.”
In this future, lawyers who understand both the capabilities and the limits of AI will lead the way. And judges who embrace both legal tradition and technological innovation will shape a justice system that’s both modern and principled.
Key Takeaways
Here’s what stood out from Judge Braswell’s talk:
• AI adoption is grassroots—driven by individuals experimenting before policies exist.
• Bias and misinformation in AI tools present real risks to fair trials and evidence integrity.
• Judges are taking on new roles as tech translators and legal trailblazers.
• AI is already making court systems more efficient—but must be used transparently and ethically.
• Soft skills and legal judgment matter more than ever, as AI takes over mechanical tasks.
Final Thoughts: Lead the Change, Don’t Chase It
Judge Maritza Dominguez Braswell left the audience with a challenge: don’t wait for a rulebook—be the one who writes it. Whether you're a lawyer, a judge, or a legal technologist, you have a role to play in shaping how AI enhances—not erodes—justice.
“We can’t ignore it. We have to engage with it. AI is part of our present, and it’s definitely part of our future.”
Now’s the time to lead with curiosity, caution, and courage.
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Topics: artificial intelligence, generative AI, legal technology, courtroom innovation, eDiscovery, deepfakes, evidentiary standards, judicial ethics, prompt engineering, legal workflows, legal tech policy, judicial leadership, Masters Conference