AI-generated legal citations backfire in Meta defamation case
Nikko D'Ambrosio's attorneys may face disciplinary action for incorporating AI-generated citations in their unsuccessful effort to compel Meta to eliminate a negative post from a Chicago Facebook group named "Are We Dating the Same Guy." D'Ambrosio had filed a defamation lawsuit against over twenty women, holding Meta responsible for promoting the post. A district court dismissed the case with prejudice, stating the complaint was not subject to amendment. D'Ambrosio subsequently appealed, utilizing MarcTrent.AI, a law firm that asserts it employs AI to identify legal opportunities overlooked by traditional firms. In a blog post from 2025, founder Marc Trent acknowledged that AI was used to create the initial complaint, claiming that "even Meta can't beat us." However, judges during the appeal deemed the case too weak for Section 230 to apply, indicating that the firm's dependence on AI was ineffective.
Key facts
- Nikko D'Ambrosio sued over two dozen women for defamation in a Chicago Facebook group called 'Are We Dating the Same Guy'.
- The case was dismissed with prejudice by a district court.
- D'Ambrosio appealed the dismissal.
- His legal team used MarcTrent.AI, a firm that claims AI increases legal success rates by 35 percent.
- Founder Marc Trent confirmed in a 2025 blog that AI was used to draft the initial complaint.
- Trent boasted that 'even Meta can't beat us' and claimed a win would make Facebook safer.
- During the appeal, judges ruled the case was so weak that Section 230 didn't apply.
- The lawyers may face sanctions for relying on fake AI citations.
Entities
Institutions
- Meta
- MarcTrent.AI
- Are We Dating the Same Guy
Locations
- Chicago
- United States