Philadelphia ERISA Attorney Adam H. Garner to Address Artificial Intelligence and Professional Responsibility at National Conference
PHILADELPHIA, PA – Adam H. Garner, Esquire, Founder and Managing Member of The Garner Firm, Ltd., will present on the panel “Ethics in an AI World: Responsible Use in Your Practice” at the American Bar Association Section of Labor and Employment Law Employee Benefits Committee Midwinter Meeting in Austin, Texas, February 4-7, 2026.
AI and ERISA Practice: Navigating New Ethical Frontiers
The panel addresses the rapidly evolving intersection of artificial intelligence technology and ERISA legal practice. As generative AI tools become increasingly integrated into legal workflows, ERISA attorneys face unprecedented questions about competence, confidentiality, and professional responsibility under the applicable Rules of Professional Conduct.
Garner and his co-panelists—Ivelisse Berio Lebeau of National Employee Benefits Administrators and Ben Conley of Seyfarth Shaw LLP—will explore practical frameworks for integrating AI into employee benefits practice. Specifically, they will address how to maintain ethical obligations while using AI tools. Moreover, the discussion will cover AI applications in document review automation, legal research acceleration, and drafting. The panel will also examine critical considerations for tool selection and data security.
ERISA Attorney Thought Leadership in Employee Benefits Law
This presentation builds on Garner’s extensive speaking record on ERISA ethics and procedural issues. In April 2025, he presented “ERISA Representation Issues and the Latest ABA Ethics Opinions” for the ABA Joint Committee on Employee Benefits, addressing technology competence requirements under Model Rule 1.1 and confidentiality obligations when using AI tools.
Garner’s expertise reflects his comprehensive background representing employee benefit plan participants and beneficiaries in all facets of ERISA litigation. This includes claims for benefits under 29 U.S.C. §1132(a)(1)(B), fiduciary breach litigation, and executive compensation disputes. Furthermore, his unique perspective combines practical litigation experience with deep knowledge of plan administration. He previously served as Administrator of $1.6 billion Taft-Hartley pension plans.
ABA Model Rules and Artificial Intelligence
The panel’s timing is particularly relevant following the ABA’s July 2024 release of Formal Opinion 512. This opinion applies existing Model Rules of Professional Conduct to generative AI use. Importantly, it emphasizes that attorneys using AI tools must satisfy their duties regarding competent representation, client confidentiality protection, and client communication. Additionally, attorneys must ensure proper employee and agent supervision, advancement of meritorious claims, candor toward tribunals, and reasonable fee charging.
Recent court decisions have underscored the importance of independent verification of AI-generated content. Consequently, the legal profession increasingly recognizes that while AI can enhance efficiency and service quality, it cannot replace attorney professional judgment and responsibility.
Practical Guidance for ERISA and Employee Benefits Practitioners
The panel will provide actionable strategies for ERISA practitioners incorporating AI into their practices. This includes guidance on selecting appropriate tools, implementing verification protocols, and establishing firm-wide policies. Importantly, attendees will benefit from diverse perspectives representing plaintiffs’ attorneys, plan counsel, and union representatives.
National Recognition in ERISA Litigation
Garner has presented at more than 30 national conferences on employee benefits topics. These include multiple ABA Employee Benefits Committee Midwinter Meetings and Joint Committee on Employee Benefits programs over the last 20 years. His speaking topics have covered benefit claims administration and litigation, fiduciary duties, standard of review in disability litigation, attorneys’ fees, remedies, and civil procedure updates.
As Founder of The Garner Firm, Garner represents clients in all aspects of ERISA and employee benefits litigation throughout the United States. He is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland. Additionally, he practices before multiple federal district courts and the United States Courts of Appeals for the Third and Fourth Circuits.
About The Garner Firm
The Garner Firm, Ltd. represents employee benefit plan participants and beneficiaries in ERISA litigation, employment disputes, and insurance bad faith matters. The firm’s attorneys provide sophisticated representation grounded in practical experience and comprehensive knowledge of employee benefits law. The Garner Firm is a proud sponsor of the Employee Benefits Committee Midwinter Meeting.
Contact:
The Garner Firm, Ltd.
1617 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Suite 1111
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 645-5955
adam@garnerltd.com
Keywords: ERISA attorney, employee benefits law, AI ethics legal practice, ABA professional conduct, artificial intelligence ERISA litigation, employee benefits litigation Philadelphia, fiduciary duty, benefit claims, professional responsibility, legal technology ethics