I met Karl at the Legal Services Corporation’s conference in February 2024, and we became fast friends over our shared love of books. From the start, it was clear that Karl was exceptionally kind, clever, and humble. Shortly after meeting him, Karl generously offered me the opportunity to assist him with his book, Equalizing Justice: Harnessing AI for Litigants Without Lawyers. I was thrilled.

We met frequently and seamlessly moved from discussing sentence structure to exploring topics like access to justice, economies of scale, birds, recent family anecdotes, Polynesia, philosophy, and even the latest papers from Stanford. Karl’s mind was expansive, and every conversation with him was uniquely engaging.

Just days before he passed, Karl was overjoyed to learn that an article we co-authored on a crucial issue in AI and access to justice would be published in the Columbia Science and Technology Law Review. Presenting this paper virtually at the Geneva Digital Law Conference was another highlight, especially as we practiced with the guidance of his wife, Susan. Watching their loving, witty banter was a treat.

In July, Karl invited my partner Lexi and me to join him and Susan in Colorado, and we had an unforgettable trip. They took us hiking through Boulder and Frisco, and Karl, with his natural curiosity, started conversations with nearly everyone we encountered. Along the way, he identified plants with impressive knowledge (and sometimes with the help of AI). One evening, we went stargazing, and Karl’s ability to identify the constellations amazed Lexi and me.

A memory I will always cherish is from a stop at a Nepalese restaurant on our way to Frisco. While sitting outside, I remarked, “What a lovely tree.” Instantly, Karl and Susan jumped up, excitedly picking berries, eating them, and exclaiming, “It’s a Mulberry tree! Eat them, eat them!” They handed me some, and I learned they had a Mulberry tree outside their home in Austin as we enjoyed the delicious berries.

Karl’s passing was as shocking as it was heartbreaking. He was a dear friend, work partner, and extraordinary human being—one of those rare individuals whose brilliance was matched by his kindness. I feel so fortunate to have learned from him, though there would never have been enough time to absorb all the knowledge and wisdom he had to share.

His loss is deeply felt, both personally by those who knew him and by the broader legal, AI, and access to justice communities. At the time of his passing, Karl was still working on his book. I will finish it with a group of contributors and advisors to honor his legacy and continue his mission to improve access to justice using artificial intelligence.

My sincerest condolences to Susan, Eric, Lipica, and Karl's family, friends, and colleagues. He touched so many lives and will be greatly missed.

Karl was always a joy to see, and to consult on large and small professional matters. He was amusing when appropriate, serious when appropriate; sympathetic, critical, neutral -- all at the right times, and all with generosity. We knew each other since we both taught computer science at the University of Wyoming, about 30 years. Such a long-term, sincere, and affectionate professional companionship is rare, and he was likely my best male friend.

Two memories in particular stand out: First-- when I married Larry Haimowitz in 2010, Karl wrote a musical composition for our wedding, and took a vocal part in the performance (that also included my cousins Clare and Teresa Hitchcock and his cousin Amy Shapiro). We treasure that gift.

Second-- we spent three days with the Brantings in Silverthorne in the summer of 2023, and it was a great visit, with hiking and food and fun but profound conversation. I only wish we had discussed artificial intelligence for legal assistance more deeply. But Larry and I are grateful for all that we learned from Karl, by word and by example.

My condolences.

I was shocked and saddened by the news of Karl's sudden passing.

I knew Karl from work at MITRE, where he introduced me to the interesting and useful work going on in artificial intelligence and law.

We were in different locations at work, so the weekly project meetings that he ran were done via teleconference (before the days of COVID and the coming of Zoom). I remember calm and collegial meetings, where both the project work got done and we also shared bits of what was going on with the rest of our lives.

He will be missed.

We were shocked when we heard the news about Karl's passing. He was the healthiest person we knew besides his other wonderful qualities. Karl was also the smartest person we knew. We always enjoyed the Sunday services at UUCC when he gave a sermon. He usually spoke in the summertime when the minister was off and we only attended when he spoke. He taught us so much but he spoke at our level. We always appreciated that since we knew his brain power was so superior to ours. Karl also had a great sense of humor. Society has lost a great person. 

It was so much fun being around Karl and Susan. Karl had a knack for making people feel comfortable, meeting them where they were, and finding areas of common interest. 

I so enjoyed Karl's sermons at UUCC and would take notes to make sure I could remember at least some of it - I didn't want to miss any of the connections or deductions that he'd make seem so logical.  I also enjoyed bike riding with him and Susan (and sometimes Eric).

But most of all I enjoyed talking with him about adventures he had had with his family or had knowledge of. They were inspiration for me and my husband for our adventures. I still want to go backpacking with llamas! His enthusiasm was so contagious!

I cried a lot when I heard he had died so suddenly. I cried for all of us and  his family. Such a loss. Such a lovely man.

Meals at Thanksgiving are special — with Family

Fun at Thanksgiving Celebration — with Eric and Karl

We will miss Karl a great deal, but will surely think of him when encountering fungi along the trail.

During the pandemic, Kathy and I hiked a series of local Howard County trails with Karl and Susan — with Susan Branting and Karl Branting

Relaxing time — with Karl

On the way to the Top of Joshua Tree National Park — with Susan, Karl and Pradeep

On top of the world at Joshua Tree National Park

His smile is contagious!!!

A letter to Karl:

Dear Karl,

Although our relationship is through the album of in-laws, we will forever cherish your wealth of knowledge from all walks of life, your sense of humor, your joy of sharing stories, your numerous interests from nature to culture, to Artificial Intelligence, and your love of life. Your numerous accomplishments speak volumes of your passion and love for knowledge. We have many treasured memories from sharing your special recipes of delicious soups at our Thanksgiving Table, to your love of enjoying cuisines from different cultures, especially India and celebrating Desi Thanksgiving on Friday after Thanksgiving. Every year we looked forward to both you and Susan’s visit during Thanksgiving and staying through the weekend. Oh! How we can still hear the beautiful voices of laughter, chatter, and sharing delicious culinary delights.

Do you remember the first time we met? We were helping the kids (us Lipica and you Eric. Susan didn’t join us as she was busy) move from one apartment to another in NYC. The second time was when you were helping Eric move from Maryland to NYC and stopped at our house for a break and lunch. Lipica said “mom you have to make Chana Masala” (Chickpea and spices dish). When I asked Lipica about the spices she said “don’t worry Karl loves hot food”. Well Karl, you certainly surprised us especially when you asked for the hot green chili peppers! We certainly have shared some wonderful memories, haven’t we?

Thursday, July 18, 7:06 pm will forever be etched in the minds of your family. July 18 will never be the same for your beloved family, numerous friends, collogues, and loved ones. It is hard to believe It has been five weeks since the Angels invited you to join them. Life, for all who love and care for you especially your beloved family, will never be the same. But they all know you would want them to move on as best as they can. You maybe with the Angels, most likely teaching them all about Artificial Intelligence, nature, history, and making delicious soups, but you will always be here surrounding your beloved family and loved ones with your Angel Wings filled with love, strength, and courage.

Keep smiling and keep sharing your passion, Karl. You are missed enormously! Wish we could have all shared our feelings and thoughts with you in-person; but the Angels had different plans when they decided to invited you to join them way too early in life.

With Angel Wishes,

Shrabanee & Pradeep Shah

AI & Law Workshop on Legal Text Analytics at Univ. of San Diego

I met Karl shortly after I began participating in the Int'l AI & Law conferences.  I distinctly recall having lunch with Karl and Carole Hafner in Edinburgh at ICAIL 2003.  Being a newer kid on the block, I was impressed with how welcoming, encouraging, and respectful Karl was.  He treated me as a peer rather than an understudy.  It soon became clear to me that he had the big picture in mind -- the well-being, growth and future of our research community.  I always admired this quality about Karl.  A dozen years later, when I was serving as president of that same community (IAAIL.org) I wouldn't hesitate to reach out to Karl for his perspective and recommendations on how to address certain issues that came before our Executive Committee.   He welcomed the sharing of ideas.  Our exchanges were often fruitful and ultimately beneficial to our community.   A year or two later, we co-edited a special issue of the AI & Law journal together.  It was a pleasure working with Karl on that.   He was a consummate professional on the project and we had the wealth of his wisdom to help us make informed decisions about the work.  I am greatly saddened to know that we may no longer have such opportunities to collaborate in this way.  My heart goes out to Susan, Eric and Lipica and to all who knew and loved Karl as so many of us did.

I was Karl's supervising professor at UT-Austin. Karl was a delightful student, researcher, colleague and friend. I have fond memories of blackboard sessions on computational models of case-based reasoning and his theory of the interplay of rules and precedents in legal reasoning, all implemented in a program he called GREBE ((GeneratoR of Exemplar-Based Explanations). Karl was creative, insightful, gentle, generous and fun. Susan, Eric and family - thank you for sharing Karl with us.

From his periodic sermons at UUCC, I learned how much he cared about the separation of church and state.

Karl with Tim Brown

The view Karl was looking at. Guess you can't blame him!

Karl missing the goat behind him as he takes photos of the views — with A Goat

Karl climbing to the top, with Silverthorne in the background

Am about to post a few photos of Karl, showing his joy in climbing Buffalo Peak in Colorado. (I remember him saying how hard it was to get to the top!) As you will see, the last stretch of the climb is pretty hard, and then he spends his time taking photos of the views, with mountain goats just behind him. You will also see a photo of Karl at the top, with Tim Brown.

We miss you, Karl!

Karl, hopefully you are enjoying your hikes through the vast terrain of the universe and unravelling all its mysteries! In the meanwhile, we continue to savor the wisdom and humor with which you filled our lives.