Reflections on 2025, or Have you included increased expenses from AI-assisted litigation in your 2026 Budget?
We are seeing a rise in AI-Assisted litigation for individuals who feel wronged, slighted, aggrieved, angry or otherwise dissatisfied. These individuals are taking this dissatisfaction beyond social media complaints and now are filing lawsuits without attorneys, solely with the use of AI generated documents and suggestions. The volume and speed with which AI can generate legal documents is allowing individuals to participate in the legal process, without the traditional guardrails of advice from a legal professional. AI can draft a demand letter in seconds, and a complaint in minutes. Consumer legal apps walk users through filing procedures. What once required a $5,000 retainer now costs nothing but time.
From complaints over perceived housing slights to return of security deposits, what may be the single largest group are those alleging fair housing violations. According to an article published by the Law Firm of Seyfarth Shaw LLP, there have been 69% more federal pro se fair housing lawsuits filed in 2025 than 2024, based on a comparison of average monthly numbers. This calculation does not include complaints filed in state court or before administrative agencies. We believe that most litigants who do not have an attorney, use AI tools to help them file and litigate these types of cases. AI often cites cases that do not exist and gives wrong descriptions of cases. The use of AI in these types of cases is increasing the cost of representation and ultimately the cost of litigation for landlords who are defending these cases.
For more information see: https://www.accessibility.works/blog/ai-generated-accessibility-ada-lawsuits-diy/.