ODW2601 – AI without the Hype: Prompts, Workflows, and Human Judgment

Course Materials: Recording and PDF of the power point slides.

Description: AI will not replace paralegals, but paralegals who use AI well will replace those who do not. This hands-on session will explore how to turn AI into your reliable junior assistant. We will cover where AI helps (summarizing records, drafting first passes, building timelines, polishing invoice narratives, comparing documents, intake triage) and where it should not be trusted without verification. Examine prompt patterns, output formats, and a fast quality loop to assist in keeping your work accurate, ethical, and defensible. We will also tackle the guardrails: confidentiality, privilege, UPL boundaries, attribution (no AI “ghost work”), and documentation for audits. Come away with a one-page AI use policy starter, a do-not-input list, a prompt cheat sheet, and a quality control checklist you can use immediately.

Presenter Biography: Tracey N. Perkins, MBA, is a paralegal educator, legal recruiting manager, and litigation paralegal who promotes career development with practical strategies for advancement. As Legal Recruiting Manager at Round Hill Search and an instructor with the UC Irvine Division of Continuing Education, she unites best practices and talent strategy to inspire present and future legal professionals. With 20 years of experience across AmLaw, boutique trial, and national firms, she regularly delivers presentations and writes about ethics, AI, and career elevation.