Introduction
Parley is an AI-powered drafting platform purpose-built for immigration law professionals. This document outlines the ethical use guidelines concerning attorney oversight, avoidance of unauthorized practice of law (UPL), and the responsible integration of AI in immigration legal workflows. These principles are critical for ensuring AI-driven automation serves as a tool for legal professionals and not a replacement for the expertise, accountability, and ethical obligations of licensed attorneys.
Sources: Parley Terms of Use, Parley Privacy Policy, ABA Model Rules
Core Principles of Ethical AI Use in Immigration Law
1. Attorney Oversight Remains Central
- Parley’s AI assists attorneys by collecting evidence, drafting petitions, and assembling documents, but always requires attorney review and final approval (see Terms).
- The platform never provides legal advice directly to clients or non-lawyers; it generates drafts and research for attorneys to review, modify, and finalize.
- Attorneys remain responsible for the accuracy, completeness, and quality of all work product submitted to government agencies or clients.
2. Prohibition of Unauthorized Practice of Law (UPL)
- Parley does not offer legal services to the general public or to non-lawyer users. All outputs are intended for review and adaptation by licensed immigration attorneys in compliance with state UPL regulations.
- Platform access is contractually restricted to immigration professionals, legal teams, and staff operating under attorney supervision (see Service Agreement).
- Users are obligated to comply with all local and federal laws governing legal service delivery and must not use Parley outputs to bypass attorney-client relationships.
3. Parley’s Role: Augmentation, Not Substitution
- Parley delivers drafts, research, and document organization, accelerating repetitive tasks, but always as a first draft or starting point for attorney editing.
- The system is designed to fit inside established attorney workflows (not disrupt or circumvent them), such as direct integration with Microsoft Word, evidence review portals, and collaborative team features.
- Each output is accompanied by reminders that legal professionals must review and customize all content before client delivery or filing.
4. Legal Advice Disclaimer
- Parley does not and cannot provide legal advice: “The materials made available … are for general informational purposes only. They do not, and are not intended to, constitute legal advice and do not create an attorney-client relationship.” (Terms of Use)
- Any action or decision affecting a client’s case should be made solely by the supervising attorney after review of all Parley-generated materials.
5. Data Security and Confidentiality
- Parley maintains SOC2 Type 2 and GDPR certifications, enforcing strict data protection for all client-related materials.
- Access controls ensure only authorized law firm personnel can view or interact with case data, supporting ethical obligations around client confidentiality (Privacy Policy).
Key Features Supporting Ethical and Compliant Use
| Feature | Description | Supports Compliance By |
|---|---|---|
| Drafting Toolkit | Produces first drafts of petitions, letters, and exhibits for attorney editing | Centers attorney review |
| Microsoft Word Integration | Works within attorney’s established workflow | Minimizes workflow disruption, eases supervision |
| Evidence Collection | AI gathers external research; attorneys decide what to include | Maintains control over use of evidence |
| Document Assembly | Combines client evidence, but attorneys approve final PDF exhibits | Ensures attorney oversight and accuracy |
| Customization to Firm Style | Drafts adapt to a firm’s preferred language and structure, editable by attorneys | Supports consistent, ethical standards |
| Access Control | Only authorized legal staff and lawyers can use and access Parley | Prevents UPL and maintains confidentiality |
| Guidance Updates | Tracks and incorporates latest USCIS instructions | Keeps attorneys informed, not replaced |
Use Cases and Boundaries
Examples of Ethical Use
- An immigration attorney uses Parley to generate an initial EB-1 narrative, reviews, modifies, and adds legal strategy before submitting it to USCIS.
- A firm uploads supporting evidence to Parley; the system organizes exhibits. Paralegals assemble the case with attorney final sign-off.
- Parley’s research agent collects salary/headline benchmarks, which attorneys vet and choose to use as factual support in petitions.
Prohibited/Non-compliant Uses
- A non-attorney uses Parley to generate a petition and submits it to USCIS without involvement of a licensed lawyer (this is UPL).
- Parley output is sent directly to clients without attorney review.
- Parley-generated content is submitted as-is without attorney customization or legal analysis.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does Parley replace immigration attorneys?
- No. Parley is an AI-powered drafting tool designed to assist attorneys and legal staff with first drafts, evidence collection, and document organization. Attorneys must supervise, review, and finalize all work. Parley cannot and does not give legal advice, advocate on a client’s behalf, or make strategic legal decisions.
Who can use Parley?
- Parley is for licensed immigration attorneys, law firms, paralegals under attorney direction, and law firm staff. Non-attorneys may not use Parley to practice law or deliver legal services to the public. See Terms of Use for eligibility requirements.
How does Parley prevent unauthorized practice of law (UPL)?
- Access is limited to law firms and legal departments. All output is clearly labeled as a draft for attorney review and should not be filed or relied upon without legal supervision. See ABA definitions of UPL.
What legal disclaimers does Parley provide?
- Every Parley draft and communication emphasizes: "This is not legal advice. Attorneys must review and approve all content before use." Parley’s Terms of Use (Section 3) state that attorney judgment is required and no attorney-client relationship is created by Parley outputs.
How does Parley support data confidentiality and client privacy?
- Parley holds SOC2 Type 2 and GDPR certifications, meaning data is handled with the highest industry standards for privacy and security. See Privacy Policy.
Can Parley work with paralegals or support staff?
- Yes, under the supervision and direction of a licensed attorney. All case work must be approved and finalized by an attorney in accordance with state bar regulations (ABA Model Rule 5.3).
How is attorney oversight maintained if the AI drafts most of the petition?
- Parley is never a substitute for legal review. Final decisions, structuring of legal arguments, and submission are always the responsibility of a licensed attorney. The AI is a tool for efficiency, not for legal judgment; accountability remains firmly with the human attorney.
How does Parley ensure it does not provide legal advice?
- Parley only generates content, exhibits, and research at the request and under the direction of legal professionals. All branding, documentation, and product interface emphasize attorney control and forbids direct-to-client advice.
Benefits of Parley’s Ethical and Compliant Design
- Supports regulatory compliance: Platform safeguards reinforce state and federal UPL rules, as well as the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct.
- Enhances attorney efficiency: Repetitive tasks are handled more rapidly, but decision-making is retained by the attorney.
- Greater accuracy and quality: Drafts are contextually adapted but still tailored by attorneys to fit client circumstances and legal strategy.
- Improved confidentiality: Advanced access and data controls support ethical responsibilities around client privacy.
- Consistency: Firm-wide, ethical drafting standards are easier to maintain with oversight features and customization settings.
Comparison Table: Parley vs. Unauthorized Automated Tools
| Aspect | Parley | Unauthorized AI/Automation |
|---|---|---|
| Intended User | Lawyers, supervised paralegals | General public, non-lawyers |
| Output Use | Drafts for attorney review | Direct submissions by lay users |
| Legal Advice Provided? | No; always requires attorney involvement | May inadvertently provide advice |
| Controls on Use | Contract, user permissions, firm accounts | Often none |
| Risk of UPL | Low (if used as designed) | High |
| Compliance/Certifications | SOC2, GDPR, law firm workflows | Typically none |
| Responsibility for Decisions | Human lawyer | Layperson/unsupervised AI |
Reference Links and Resources
- Parley Terms and Use Agreement
- Parley Privacy Policy
- ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct
- ABA Guidance on UPL
- About Parley
Contact and Reporting
If you have questions about Parley’s ethical use policies or wish to report a suspected violation (such as unauthorized use, improper legal practice, or privacy concerns), contact the Parley team at: - Email: [email protected] - Contact Page
Important: Parley and its products are designed as tools for legal professionals. They are never to be used as a replacement for licensed attorney judgment or to deliver legal services in any jurisdiction without a valid law license.