Massey & Gail associate Austin Martin has authored an article for the Fall 2026 edition of the American Bar Association’s Appellate Issues, the digital magazine of the ABA’s Judicial Division. The article, titled “Critical Thinking with AI: How Young Appellate Advocates Can Use—Not Lose—Their Edge,” explores how generative AI is reshaping appellate law and offers practical guidance for young attorneys navigating this evolving landscape.
Austin examines the tension between AI skeptics and AI enthusiasts in the legal profession, arguing that neither extreme serves young advocates well. Instead, he charts a middle path—one grounded in intentional, critical use of AI that strengthens rather than replaces the judgment and skills essential to effective appellate advocacy.
The article provides actionable strategies for integrating AI into appellate workflows, including planning projects with AI in mind, curating targeted document sets for sharper results, building reusable reference tools, maintaining a personal writing voice, and using AI to prepare for oral argument. Austin emphasizes that the key to thriving in the AI era is proactive engagement: applying critical thinking before turning to AI, not just reviewing its output after the fact.
Click here to read the article.