In the News: Sasha Thaler Quoted in Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly on AI’s Role in Rise of Pro Se Employment Lawsuits

Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly quoted Constangy partner Sasha Thaler in an article examining how generative AI tools may be contributing to a rise in self-represented (pro se) employment litigants. The piece discusses a recent Lex Machina report showing that more than 16% of federal employment lawsuits in 2025 were filed by pro se plaintiffs, up from under 10% in 2021.

Sasha notes that while AI tools can help individuals organize their claims and better articulate what they need, they can also create complications during the litigation process. She describes an example in which an unrepresented EEOC claimant used AI to structure communications more clearly, allowing counsel to better understand the individual’s request.

At the same time, Sasha explains that reliance on generative AI does not replace the strategic guidance attorneys provide during key stages of a dispute. She observes that a matter she handled ultimately settled, but mediation proved more difficult than it might have been if the claimant had received legal advice earlier in the process.

The article also explores broader concerns among employment lawyers that AI-assisted filings may lead to unrealistic expectations, procedural missteps, and challenges for courts and opposing counsel when litigants rely on automated tools instead of legal representation.

To read the full article on Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly's website, click here.

Sasha is a partner and co-chair of Constangy's Investigations practice group with nearly 20 years of experience advising and defending employers across industries on workplace compliance, employment litigation, and dispute resolution. She counsels on a wide range of employment laws, drafts workplace policies and contracts, and represents businesses before state and federal agencies. Sasha also serves as an independent investigator in Title IX and workplace discrimination matters and is a frequent speaker on developments in labor and employment law.