Legal Accuracy Matters More Than Ever

In the fast-paced world of legal practice, the precision of your citations isn't just a matter of formality- it's a cornerstone of your credibility. Whether you're drafting a memo, preparing a brief, or scrutinizing opposing counsel’s filings, ensuring that every citation stands up to scrutiny is paramount.

However, the legal landscape is fraught with challenges. A study from Stanford on Legal Models revealed that legal generative AI tools can produce misleading information 17% of the time, particularly concerning citations. Moreover, a study published in the Georgetown Journal of Legal Ethics highlighted the increasingly common practice of copying citations without source verification, raising concerns about the reliability of legal documents in an era of accelerated drafting. Compounding the issue, research published in the New York University Law Review discusses the risks of dangerous citations in legal practice, emphasizing how unchecked or erroneous citations can distort the development of case law and erode trust in judicial opinions over time.

These issues underscore the necessity for a robust solution to verify the authenticity and relevance of legal citations.

Introducing 2nd Chair’s Citation Checker

To address these challenges, 2nd Chair has developed the Citation Checker- a fast, reliable tool designed to verify the existence and accuracy of legal citations before you submit your arguments or challenge those of others.

With the Citation Checker, you can:
• Confirm whether a citation exists in the official court record.
• Determine if a citation can be traced to a verifiable case.
• Identify citations that may require further investigation if not found.

Even if a citation doesn’t appear in the database, it doesn't necessarily mean it's invalid- it may be outside the current database scope. Nonetheless, the tool offers a strategic advantage by indicating whether to trust a citation, challenge it, or investigate further.

How It Works

Integrated seamlessly into the 2nd Chair dashboard, the Citation Checker is accessible at any time. Simply input a citation, such as 576 U.S. 644, into the search field and click Verify Citation.

Within seconds, you'll receive:
• The full case title (e.g., Obergefell v. Hodges ).
• Filing date and court information.
• A history of recent lookups for easy access and re-verification.

Verifying 576 U.S. 644 reveals a match with Obergefell v. Hodges.

Strategic Advantages in Legal Practice

Enhance Research Accuracy Ensure your briefs and memos are grounded in real, traceable precedent, bolstering the integrity of your legal arguments.

Gain a Competitive Edge If opposing counsel cites a questionable case, use the Citation Checker to verify its validity- or expose inaccuracies that could undermine their position.

Streamline Due Diligence Quickly confirm a list of citations across various documents, saving time and reducing the risk of oversight.

Real-World Consequences of Skipping Verification

The need for citation checking isn’t hypothetical- it’s happening in real courtrooms today. In April 2025, Latin Times reported that U.S. District Judge Nina Wang reprimanded attorneys representing MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell for filing a legal brief containing nearly 30 defective citations- some citing cases that don’t exist. The attorneys had used generative AI to assist in drafting the brief but failed to verify those outputs before submission, violating Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.

This incident not only highlights the reputational risks associated with hallucinated citations, but it also demonstrates how verification tools like David AI’s Citation Checker can provide a critical layer of protection. Whether you're defending a client or preparing an academic paper, trust starts with trusted sources.

Trust But Verify—Efficiently

In an era where the accuracy of legal citations is under increasing scrutiny, the 2nd Chair Citation Checker empowers you to write, argue, and prepare with confidence. By ensuring your sources are solid, you not only uphold the highest standards of legal practice but also gain a strategic advantage in litigation.

Ready to put it to work? Log in to 2nd Chair, open the Citation Checker, and start verifying smarter today.