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

Lori Cohen, a senior partner and global litigation co-leader at the 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 legal proceedings and court appearances. Cohen developed this synthetic voice, which she calls "Lola," in early 2023 with her legal technology expert Gerard Buitrago, using Eleven Labs' voice cloning technology and recordings from her trials and presentations.

Cohen, who is 61 and originally from Boston, described waking up one morning unable to speak and undergoing extensive medical consultations worldwide without a definitive diagnosis. Despite the uncertainty, she remains optimistic about future medical advances. Professionally, she specializes in litigation involving medical malpractice, pharmaceuticals, and toxic torts, and she has built Greenberg Traurig's pharmaceutical and healthcare litigation practice.

Using her AI voice, Cohen can 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 responses. She noted that while this method requires time to type and causes some delay, judges, opposing counsel, and clients have been supportive and accommodating. Cohen plans to use the AI voice in jury trials soon.

Cohen is attending the ACC Israel conference at Tel Aviv University to participate in a panel titled "Why AI Will Not Replace Me." She emphasized that AI tools at her firm are integrated into legal work but do not replace lawyers. Instead, AI frees lawyers from routine tasks, allowing them to focus on strategy, investigation, and client management. Cohen stressed that AI cannot replicate human judgment, empathy, resilience, or unique legal perspectives.

Greenberg Traurig maintains a Tel Aviv office, and Cohen has strong ties with the local team and clients. She envisions a hybrid future where lawyers must skillfully manage AI tools alongside traditional legal expertise.