Appellate Judges Eviscerate Lawyer Over Fake AI Citations in NY Hearing

In a May New York appellate hearing, Justices Valerie Brathwaite Nelson and Hector LaSalle publicly rebuked attorney Michael Sanders for citing cases that appeared fictitious—likely AI-generated—and warned that misrepresenting law to a tribunal is a serious breach of professional conduct. The confrontation, captured on a courtroom livestream, underscored growing concern about AI-fabricated citations; Sanders apologized, opposing counsel pressed for due diligence, and the court ordered show cause as sanctions were considered. Landberg v. City of New York was later dismissed in light of the proceedings.