--- title: 2026 May url: https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-may --- # [2026 May](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-may "2026 May") [![Advocate May26 cvr ezine](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/images/issues/2026/05-may/Advocate-May26-cvr-ezine.jpg)](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/ezines/2026/May2026/html5/Advocate-May26-issue.html) Articles in this issue: ## [Before you buy legal AI, learn to use the AI you already have](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-may/before-you-buy-legal-ai-learn-to-use-the-ai-you-already-have "Before you buy legal AI, learn to use the AI you already have") Practice with general-purpose systems will hone your understanding and skill before you invest [Matthew Whibley](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/matthew-whibley "Matthew Whibley") ## [How AI introduces errors into your documents](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-may/how-ai-introduces-errors-into-your-documents "How AI introduces errors into your documents") And why catching them demands a new skill [Jeffrey I. Ehrlich](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/jeffrey-i-ehrlich "Jeffrey I. Ehrlich") ## [The cold-eye advantage](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-may/the-cold-eye-advantage "The cold-eye advantage") Using AI to stress-test trial strategy, evidence, and appellate risk [Janet R. Gusdorff](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/janet-r-gusdorff "Janet R. Gusdorff") ## [LexisNexis AI vs. Westlaw AI](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-may/lexisnexis-ai-vs-westlaw-ai "LexisNexis AI vs. Westlaw AI") A comprehensive comparison of two very different approaches to AI integration [Paul Kiesel](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/paul-kiesel "Paul Kiesel") ## [Defending client-AI communications in California discovery](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-may/defending-client-ai-communications-in-california-discovery "Defending client-AI communications in California discovery") A plaintiff’s guide to the attorney-client privilege after the federal court ruling in Heppner, a case of first impression [Austin G. Ward](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/austin-g-ward "Austin G. Ward") ## [Crossing the Rubicon](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-may/crossing-the-rubicon "Crossing the Rubicon") A litigator’s guide to AI in practice and everyday life [Kevin Meenan](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/kevin-meenan "Kevin Meenan") ## [From case management to intelligence](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-may/from-case-management-to-intelligence "From case management to intelligence") What Filevine’s LOIS signals about the future of plaintiff practice [Kenny S. Ramirez](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/kenny-ramirez "Kenny S. Ramirez") ## [Stop trying to create content. Start being the content.](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-may/stop-trying-to-create-content-start-being-the-content "Stop trying to create content. Start being the content.") A practical framework for busy lawyers building a personal brand in 2026 [Sharon P. Ramirez](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/sharon-p-ramirez "Sharon P. Ramirez") ## [AI edits create a perfect final draft](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-may/ai-edits-create-a-perfect-final-draft "AI edits create a perfect final draft") Achieving maximum clarity in your brief by editing for brevity and simplicity with AI tools [Daniel U. Smith](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/daniel-u-smith "Daniel U. Smith") [Roger Ruttimann](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/roger-ruttimann "Roger Ruttimann") ## [Appellate Reports](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-may/appellate-reports-60 "Appellate Reports") Attorney fee disputes and declaratory relief; also, do contracts that specify the arbitration forum as JAMS unmistakenly delegate the right to determine the enforceability of the arbitration clause? [Jeffrey I. Ehrlich](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/jeffrey-i-ehrlich "Jeffrey I. Ehrlich") ## [Should binding mediation term sheets address taxes?](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-may/should-binding-mediation-term-sheets-address-taxes "Should binding mediation term sheets address taxes?") Taxes should be considered but when and how to address them varies [Robert W. Wood](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/robert-w-wood "Robert W. Wood") ## [The legislative fire after the fires](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-may/the-legislative-fire-after-the-fires "The legislative fire after the fires") Utilities and others are seeking to limit legal responsibilities that help homeowners and communities recover [Nancy Peverini](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/nancy-peverini "Nancy Peverini") ## [From galas to roasts to pickleball](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-may/from-galas-to-roasts-to-pickleball "From galas to roasts to pickleball") How you can help us do what we do [Griselda S. Rodriguez](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/griselda-s-rodriguez "Griselda S. Rodriguez") [Michelle M. West](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/michelle-m-west "Michelle M. West") ## [On the line](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-may/on-the-line "On the line") Cash flow strategies for the contingent-fee firm [Miles B. Cooper](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/miles-b-cooper "Miles B. Cooper") ## [Mentorship at OCTLA](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-may/mentorship-at-octla "Mentorship at OCTLA") Investing in the future of trial lawyers [Clare Lucich](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/clare-lucich "Clare Lucich") ## [Protecting the rule of law](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-may/protecting-the-rule-of-law "Protecting the rule of law") Why trial lawyers must lead the way [Elizabeth A. Hernandez](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/elizabeth-a-hernandez "Elizabeth A. Hernandez")