At Vela Wood Staley Young P.C., we are committed to innovation in the practice of law while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism, confidentiality, and care in the service of our clients.
As part of our ongoing efforts to improve efficiency, accuracy, and client service, we may utilize artificial intelligence (AI) tools in the delivery of legal services. These tools may be used to support legal research, document review, drafting, and internal workflow optimization.
Our Commitments
- Client Data Protection: We will use commercially reasonable safeguards to protect all client data, including limiting AI usage to tools that comply with applicable privacy and security standards.
- No Sale or Sharing of Data: We will never sell or share client data with any third party. Client information will only be processed using licensed software that operates under its own terms of use and privacy policies, and never outside of those bounds.
- Human Oversight: All substantive legal work remains subject to review and approval by licensed attorneys. AI will never replace attorney judgment or discretion in client matters.
- Transparency: We are happy to discuss how and when AI may be used in your matters, and will honor any client request not to use AI tools with respect to their representation.
We believe AI, when used responsibly, can enhance our ability to serve clients—without compromising the standards or integrity of our work.
Client FAQ – Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Do you use AI to handle my legal matters?
We may use AI tools to support certain tasks such as legal research, document organization, or drafting assistance—but always under the direct supervision of licensed attorneys. No AI tool will ever make independent legal decisions on your matter.
Is my information safe if you use AI?
Yes. We use commercially reasonable standards to protect client data, including using only reputable, licensed software that complies with industry-standard security protocols. Your data is never sold or shared.
Will my confidential information be exposed to third parties?
No. We do not disclose client information to third parties outside of licensed tools operating under their respective terms of use. We do not sell or otherwise distribute client data.
Can I request that you not use AI for my case?
Absolutely. If you prefer that we not use AI in any capacity for your matter, we are happy to accommodate that request.
How do you decide when to use AI?
We use AI tools only when they can enhance accuracy, speed, or efficiency—never as a replacement for human legal judgment. These tools are thoughtfully integrated to support, not replace, attorney work.
What kinds of AI tools do you use?
Examples include AI-assisted legal research platforms, document summarization tools, and contract analysis software. All tools are vetted for compliance, reliability, and confidentiality.
Will I be charged for work done by AI?
Our billing practices remain rooted in transparency and fairness. AI use is designed to increase efficiency and reduce manual work, not to generate additional fees.
Are you keeping up with ethical standards on AI in law?
Yes. We closely monitor evolving guidance from the State Bar of Texas and national professional bodies. Our policy is built to stay compliant with ethical obligations and data privacy laws.