Ninth Circuit sanctions show AI verification is now a litigation-control issue

In Lnu v. Blanche, the Ninth Circuit sanctioned two attorneys for briefs containing nonexistent cases, misattributed quotations, and gross misrepresentations, while emphasizing that the violation was filing unchecked and inaccurate material rather than the mere use of generative AI. The order included personal sanctions, a six-month suspension from practice before the court, notice requirements, and future AI-use certification obligations. For midsized firms without large risk teams, this is a direct prompt to formalize cite-checking, filing review, AI-use disclosure, and partner-supervision controls.