Israeli Lawyer Uses AI-Generated Voice to Return to Court After Losing Ability to Speak

Lori Cohen, a senior partner and global litigation co-leader at the Israeli law firm Greenberg Traurig, lost her ability to speak unexpectedly in March 2022. Since then, she has been using an AI-generated voice created from her past recordings to participate in court proceedings and legal work. Cohen developed this synthetic voice, which she calls "Lola," in early 2023 with her legal technology specialist Gerard Buitrago, using Eleven Labs' voice cloning technology and recordings from her trials and presentations.

Cohen, 61, originally from Boston, began her legal career in 1990 and specializes in medical and product liability litigation. She explains that the AI voice allows her to prepare texts in advance for court or presentations and respond in real time by typing on her iPads or iPhones, with the AI voice speaking her replies. Although this method requires time to type and causes some delay, judges, opposing counsel, and clients have been supportive and accommodating.

She plans to use the AI voice in jury trials soon, starting with practice sessions. Cohen will speak about her experience and the role of AI in law at the upcoming ACC Israel conference at Tel Aviv University. She emphasizes that AI tools do not replace lawyers but free them to focus on strategy, investigation, and client interaction. Cohen notes that her firm has integrated AI for years, requiring lawyers to adopt these tools, and she foresees a hybrid legal practice where technological proficiency is as essential as legal expertise.

Despite extensive medical consultations worldwide, Cohen and her doctors have not yet determined the cause of her speech loss, but she remains optimistic about future scientific advances. She stresses that AI cannot replicate human judgment, empathy, resilience, or unique legal perspectives, underscoring the irreplaceable role of lawyers even as technology evolves.