AI Rules for Kentucky Law Firms
Last verified July 8, 2026
Kentucky is one of the more direct states for a managing partner to read, because the Kentucky Bar Association has already issued an ethics opinion spelling out what AI use requires of your firm. A separate election-focused statute matters only if your firm touches campaign or government-contractor work.
Where Kentucky Stands
KBA Ethics Opinion E-457, The Ethical Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Practice of Law, is the operative standard for Kentucky attorneys using AI. Separately, SB 4, enacted in the 2025 Regular Session as Acts Ch. 66, mainly governs state government AI use through a new AI Governance Committee, but it took effect immediately under an emergency clause on March 24, 2025, and its synthetic media provisions let candidates sue over AI manipulation of their image or voice in election communications. That matters to your firm only if you advise campaigns, media buyers, or government contractors.
What Your Firm Must Do
Under E-457, your firm must verify every AI-generated authority before filing it and must not put client-identifying information into AI prompts. The opinion also says your firm should consider reducing fees when AI cuts the work involved, needs a written AI policy, and should note that the opinion suggests failing to use available AI tools may itself raise competence concerns.
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