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Texas Federal Judge Starr Mandates AI Certification for Court Filings

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17

Why it matters

U.S. District Judge Brantley Starr of the Northern District of Texas has issued a standing order requiring all attorneys and self-represented parties to file a "Certificate of Generative Artificial Intelligence Usage" with every legal filing. The certificate must explicitly disclose whether AI tools—including ChatGPT, Harvey.AI, or Google Bard—were used in drafting. If AI was used, filers must identify the specific tool, describe its application, and certify that a human verified all citations and legal authority against traditional print reporters or legal databases. Failure to submit the certificate results in the court striking the filing. Attorneys remain fully responsible for their filings under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 11 regardless of whether AI drafted them.

Judge Starr's order responds directly to the risk of AI "hallucinations"—instances where generative tools fabricate case law and legal citations. The standing order aligns with Rule 11(b), which requires attorneys to certify that filings are not presented for improper purposes and are supported by evidence or law. The Eastern District of Texas issued a comparable order on April 9, 2025, suggesting a broader judicial trend.

Attorneys appearing before Judge Starr's court should treat this as a binding requirement, not guidance. The order formalizes what courts increasingly expect: explicit disclosure of AI usage and human verification of its output before submission. As AI adoption accelerates in legal practice, similar requirements will likely spread across federal courts. Practitioners should establish internal protocols now to document AI usage and verification steps, ensuring compliance before these orders become standard rather than exceptional.

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