Paule, Camazine & Blumenthal attorney Patricia L. Bland recently joined a Law.com video podcast to discuss how she uses AI in her business and tax practice and why, even with AI as a strategic drafting partner, attorneys must still apply their own judgment and do the work themselves.
Law.com published a feature on the conversation on October 29, 2026. Read the full feature on Law.com.
From Skeptic to Strategic User
Like many attorneys, Patricia and her colleagues approached AI tools with caution. “We were worried about accuracy,” she told Law.com. “[And] we were worried about confidentiality.” The firm adopted Lexis+ with Protégé in January 2025, a platform that works through a secure, encrypted portal and draws on verified legal sources.
Today, Patricia calls the tool a “strategic drafting partner.” She uses it to help draft contract clauses, agreement summaries, and client correspondence, and to catch problems with definitions and cross-references before an agreement ever reaches a client.
A Citation Check That Changed the Case
The feature highlights a case where verification made the difference. Patricia and a PCB colleague received an opposing counsel’s motion for summary judgment in an adverse possession case, and at first the cited authority looked strong. A citation check told a different story. According to Patricia, the motion relied on three or four cases that did not exist, along with quotations that did not appear in the cited sources. The team built those findings into their reply, and the result favored their client.
Patricia’s Advice for Attorneys Using AI
Her guidance comes down to three principles. Know your source. Give the tool clear instructions, including the client’s objective, the relevant facts, and the purpose of the document. And treat the output as a first draft, not a finished product. “You still have to review for accuracy,” she said. “You have to do the work. It’s not going to replace us.”
That standard shows up in every agreement Patricia drafts, from shareholder and LLC operating agreements to buy/sell agreements and business succession plans for closely held companies across the St. Louis area.
PCB is proud to see Patricia recognized for her thoughtful approach to technology and her commitment to precise, reliable work for our clients. To talk with Patricia about a business, tax, or real estate matter, please contact her directly.
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