“Find cases about contracts” leaves a researcher guessing. A useful assignment identifies the issue counsel needs to resolve and the jurisdiction that matters. The questions below help a law firm scope attorney supervised legal research, including how to handle an AI suggestion whose citation cannot be found.
How Does the Current AI Guidance Affect Research?
The State Bar of California updated its practical AI guidance in May 2026, including guidance on agentic tools. Lawyers remain responsible for independent judgment and verification. In a research assignment, treat a generated citation as something to investigate. Open the actual authority and check its relevance before it enters the research packet.
What Should the Supervising Attorney Specify?
Confirm the legal question, relevant facts supplied by counsel, governing jurisdiction, date range and requested format. Ask whether the attorney wants a broad survey or a narrow answer to one issue. Record the time budget and when an interim update would be useful.
A question such as “find cases about contracts” is too broad. A useful instruction identifies the particular issue and court system, while leaving the attorney responsible for deciding which legal theory and authorities matter.
| Item | What the Reviewer Needs |
|---|---|
| Authority | Full citation and accessible source |
| Relevant Passage | Page or paragraph and a short explanation |
| Status Check | How and when subsequent treatment was checked |
| Scope Limit | Jurisdiction or issue outside the assignment |
| Open Question | Point requiring the attorney’s assessment |
What Evidence Belongs Behind the Research?
Save useful search terms and databases consulted. Separate binding authority, persuasive authority and background materials according to the attorney’s direction. Read the context around a passage rather than extracting a sentence that appears favorable.
Check whether a cited rule has changed and whether a case has later treatment. If a current status check cannot be completed, disclose that limit prominently. Do not imply that a source has been validated simply because a link opens.
What Should the Attorney Receive?
Put the research question at the top of the packet, followed by the findings counsel needs to consider. Link the authorities and include the passages that answer the assignment. Bring contrary material forward rather than hiding it in a long citation list.
State what could not be checked. For example, a source may fall outside the available database, or a requested jurisdiction may produce no authority within the search time allowed. The supervising attorney can decide whether to extend the work, change the question or proceed with that limitation. Label the packet for attorney review and retain the search history with the matter.