NOTICE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE PRACTICES
Strohschein Law Group provides this Notice to explain how and when we use artificial intelligence (AI) tools in our work, the safeguards we apply to protect your information, and your rights regarding our use of these tools.
WHAT WE MEAN BY “AI”
When we refer to AI, we mean software tools that can read, summarize, and draft text in response to instructions. These tools are often called Generative Artificial Intelligence. We use them to help with tasks such as document review, legal research, and drafting. They assist our team. They do not replace it.
HOW WE USE AI
We use only AI tools that firm management has reviewed and approved. Any tool that works with client information must be business-class, with contractual privacy and security protections. A small number of consumer tools are approved only for general use or for de-identified information that could not reasonably identify you or your matter. We use these tools in three ways:
- General assistance. Using AI as a work assistant without entering any information that identifies you or your matter. For example, asking a hypothetical question to help build a drafting checklist.
- Confidential processing. Using AI to work with information about your matter after your most sensitive personal details (defined below) have been removed or redacted. For example, uploading a document so we can review it more efficiently.
- Sensitive personal information. We will not enter your most sensitive personal information into an AI tool without first obtaining your informed written consent, as described under Your Rights below.
HOW WE PROTECT YOUR INFORMATION
We maintain a formal written policy on the responsible and secure use of AI tools. Among other things, our policy provides the following safeguards:
- Professional responsibility. We take direct professional responsibility for all work we do for you, whether or not an AI tool assisted with it. AI tools make us more efficient, but they do not make legal judgments or decisions. Our professionals review, validate, and edit AI output before it is finalized.
- Approved tools only. We use only AI tools that firm management has reviewed and formally approved. Each tool is evaluated against recognized security standards (such as SOC 2) before approval. We do not use free or public AI tools, such as the free version of ChatGPT, with client information.
- No training on your data. Our approved tools include contractual assurances that client data will not be used to train AI models.
- Limited retention. We keep information in AI tools only as long as reasonably needed, and we delete conversations, documents, and prompts when your matter closes or they are no longer needed.
- System-wide safeguards. Where AI functions are built into our core office systems, we take reasonable measures to ensure those systems are suitable for handling protected information.
- Staff training. Everyone at the firm receives training on the responsible use of AI, including data privacy, security risks, and compliance with our written policy.
YOUR RIGHTS
Right to information. You have the right to know how AI tools are used in your matter. Clients with an active matter may request a current copy of our Schedule of Approved AI Tools at any time, which lists each tool, its representative uses, and the provider’s security documentation.
Right to opt out. Except for System-Wide Processing (described below), you may restrict or prohibit our use of AI tools in your matter at any time by telling us in writing. An optional opt-out form is attached for your convenience, but any written notice is sufficient. If you opt out, we will document your preference in your file. Opting out does not change a flat fee you have agreed to. It may affect how quickly we can complete some work, and in matters billed hourly, additional time is billed at our normal rates.
Informed written consent for sensitive personal information. We will not process your sensitive personal information in any AI tool without first obtaining your informed written consent. Sensitive personal information includes:
- Social Security numbers and tax returns
- Financial account, credit card, or debit card numbers
- Medical information, including mental health or substance abuse records
- Driver’s license or state identification numbers
- Unique biometric identifiers, passwords, or security question and answer pairs
Before asking for your consent, we will explain, for your specific matter, the tool we propose to use, the purpose of the processing, the potential risks, and the safeguards in place to protect your data. Consent is voluntary and may be revoked at any time. Revocation applies from the date we receive it. By providing consent, you also confirm that you have the lawful authority to permit the processing of the information involved.
System-Wide Processing (notice only). Certain AI functions are built into the firm’s core systems, such as email and spam filtering, our document management system (Smokeball), and cybersecurity tools. Because these functions are essential to firm operations and cannot be turned off for individual clients, they are not subject to the opt-out and consent rights described above. We take measures to ensure these systems use appropriate safeguards for all data they process.
SCHEDULE OF APPROVED AI TOOLS
Clients with an active matter may request a copy of our Schedule of Approved AI Tools using the contact information below.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Linda M. Strohschein
Strohschein Law Group
455 Dunham Road, Suite 200
St. Charles, Illinois 60174
Phone: (630) 377-3241
Contact: Click Here
Effective Date: August 1, 2026
Click Here to print the AI OPT-OUT REQUEST Form