Dean Rocco (Partner-Los Angeles, CA) and Celeena Pompeo (Partner-Orange County, CA) will present on the panel “Objection…AI? The New Reality of Litigation Technology,” at the Association of Southern California Defense Counsel’s 65th Annual Seminar, held May 7-8, 2026, at the JW Marriott Los Angeles, California. The seminar offers attorneys a practical and candid look at how artificial intelligence is reshaping the practice of law. This year’s program addresses the growing ethical, strategic, and practical challenges facing litigators today as AI increasingly embeds itself in legal workflows. Attendees will gain a clear understanding of their professional obligations in an AI-driven environment, including the evolving duty of competence, the risks to client confidentiality, and the critical importance of verifying AI-generated work. Dean and Celeena’s panel will move beyond theory to provide real-world guidance on how AI is currently being used in litigation – from drafting briefs and conducting research to deposition preparation and trial strategy – while emphasizing the limits of the technology and the continued necessity of attorney judgment. Also explored are how attorneys can and should maintain their duty of competence, their duties relating to confidentiality and data security, and the duty of candor to tribunals when using and supervising attorneys who use artificial intelligence tools, as well as considerations around billing, fee disclosures, and the use of AI in courtrooms. With courts, regulators, and opposing counsel increasingly scrutinizing the use of AI, this panel discussion equips attorneys with the tools and insight needed to navigate this rapidly evolving landscape responsibly and effectively.