Federal Judge Withdraws Opinion After Lawyers Uncover Errors
In a surprising development in a biopharma securities class action case, U.S. District Court Judge Julien X. Neals of New Jersey withdrew his opinion on July 23, 2025, after defense lawyers identified numerous errors, including fabricated quotes and misstated case outcomes. The judge acknowledged the mistakes, stating that the opinion and order were “entered in error” and promised a corrected version would follow.
The errors, which sparked debate about the potential use of artificial intelligence (AI) in judicial work, were detailed in a motion by defense counsel from Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr. They argued that the opinion contained “numerous clear errors,” such as incorrect case citations and misrepresentations of legal precedents, raising concerns about its reliability. While it remains unclear whether AI tools contributed to the mistakes, the incident echoes recent cases where AI-generated legal documents have been criticized for inaccuracies.
Judge Neals, speaking at the 2025 Federal Bench-Bar Symposium, did not address the cause of the errors but moved swiftly to retract the opinion. This withdrawal has fueled discussions on platforms like X, where users speculated about the role of AI and the implications for judicial accountability. One post questioned whether a judge’s errors, potentially AI-related, warrant stricter penalties than those faced by lawyers in similar situations.
The legal community is closely watching this case, as it highlights the growing scrutiny over AI’s influence in courtrooms. Recent incidents, such as lawyers being fined for AI-generated briefs with fictitious citations, underscore the risks of unverified technology use in legal proceedings. For now, the judiciary faces increasing pressure to ensure accuracy and transparency, especially as AI tools become more prevalent in legal research and drafting.
As the corrected opinion is awaited, this case serves as a reminder of the critical need for diligence in legal work, whether by human hands or AI assistance.