Nora v. M & A Transport

Woody Nora v. M & A Transport, Inc., United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, August 13, 2025, No. 2:25-cv-01015-SM-MBN, Doc. 67 (Order and Reasons). Judge Susie Morgan. Copy of primary document: ~/workspace/goals/ai-sanctions-case-monitoring/files/sources/D-79-nora-v-m-and-a-transport.pdf. Source URL: https://websitedc.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/Nora_v._MA_Transport_USA_13_August_2025.pdf

Laci N. Hamilton, counsel for the plaintiff, signed and filed a motion to transfer venue containing three fabricated, AI-generated citations without verifying their accuracy or existence. In her reply she misrepresented their origin, first claiming they were mistakenly verified using Westlaw Precision (an AI-assisted tool), then admitting the authorities were emailed to her by another firm lawyer who is now suspended from Louisiana practice. Hamilton admitted the Rule 11 violations at the August 4, 2025 show-cause hearing.

The court found violations of Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 11(b)(2) and (3). Hamilton was sanctioned personally $1,000 (not payable by her firm or the plaintiff), due September 30, 2025; ordered to complete one hour of continuing legal education on generative AI by December 31, 2025 with proof filed; and referred to the Disciplinary Committee of the Eastern District of Louisiana.

Verify every citation received from another lawyer before signing a filing; the signing attorney bears Rule 11 responsibility regardless of who drafted the research. Correct misstatements about research methods immediately rather than offering an assumed explanation.

• Source URL: https://websitedc.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/Nora_v._MA_Transport_USA_13_August_2025.pdf