Yi-Sheng Fang, et al. v. Hechalou US LLC, et al.
U.S. District Court, Central District of California · C.D. Cal. · California bar guidance
Verified May 14, 2026
- Citation
- Yi-Sheng Fang v. Hechalou US LLC, No. 8:25-cv-01180 (C.D. Cal. Sept. 12, 2025)
- Decided
- September 12, 2025
Summary
Defense counsel in Fang v. Hechalou US LLC submitted an opposition brief containing multiple AI-generated citations to cases that do not exist, along with false quotations and misrepresentations of real case law. After the fabricated authorities were identified, the court found that counsel had failed to verify the citations before filing.
- AI tool:
- Unspecified generative AI
- Sanction amount:
- $2,418.50
What sanction did the court impose?
The court imposed a $2,418 monetary sanction, representing fees attributable to the AI-generated citations, and ordered counsel to notify the State Bar of California and to file a compliance declaration regarding remedial steps.
Why does Yi-Sheng Fang, et al. v. Hechalou US LLC, et al. matter for law firms using AI?
Fang v. Hechalou is a useful data point for managing partners weighing how small-dollar sanctions still trigger outsized downstream exposure. The fee award here is modest, but the court’s order to self-report to the State Bar of California and to file a compliance declaration creates a discoverable record that follows the firm into future malpractice underwriting and disciplinary review.
Sources
Primary sources
Further reading
- Document mirror (Damien Charlotin hallucination database, Westlaw printout)
- Justia (legal aggregator)
Source PDF is a Westlaw printout mirrored from the Damien Charlotin hallucination database. We are working to add the underlying court docket (PACER, CourtListener, or court website) as a second source.