25 AI Starter Prompts for Lawyers

One of the biggest concerns we hear from legal professionals is, "I don't even know what to ask AI."

The good news is that you don't need to learn a special language or memorize complicated commands. In most cases, the best prompt is simply a clear description of the task you're trying to accomplish.

Use the prompts below as a starting point. Customize them to fit your practice, your clients, and your firm's workflows—and don't be afraid to experiment.

Email & Communication

1. Summarize an Email Chain

Summarize this email chain and identify any decisions, deadlines, and action items.

2. Draft a Client Update

Draft a professional client update explaining the status of this matter in plain English.

3. Rewrite for Clarity

Rewrite the following email to make it more concise and professional.

4. Draft a Follow-Up Email

Create a follow-up email based on the information below.

5. Explain a Complex Concept

Rewrite this explanation in language a client with no legal background can easily understand.

Meeting Notes & Summaries

6. Create a Meeting Summary

Turn these notes into a meeting summary with key discussion points, decisions, and next steps.

7. Identify Action Items

Review these notes and create a list of action items, organized by priority.

8. Create a Team Update

Convert these meeting notes into a brief update for the rest of the team.

9. Summarize a Client Call

Summarize the key takeaways from this client call and identify any follow-up tasks.

10. Organize Notes

Organize these notes into categories and remove duplicate information.

Organization & Productivity

11. Create a Checklist

Create a checklist for opening a new [practice area] matter.

12. Create a Timeline

Create a chronological timeline from the information below.

13. Prioritize Tasks

Review this list of tasks and organize them by urgency and importance.

14. Create a Project Plan

Create a step-by-step project plan based on the following objective.

15. Organize Information

Review this information and group it into logical categories.

Research & Learning

16. Explain a Concept

Explain [topic] in simple terms as if you were teaching it to someone unfamiliar with the subject.

17. Create a Research Starting Point

Based on these facts, identify issues that may require further research.

18. Compare Two Concepts

Explain the difference between [Concept A] and [Concept B].

19. Create an Outline

Create an outline for researching this topic.

20. Summarize an Article

Summarize the key points from this article in five bullet points.

Drafting & Content Creation

21. Create a First Draft

Draft a first version of the following communication using the information provided.

22. Create an Agenda

Create an agenda for a meeting about the following topic.

23. Draft an Internal Process

Create a step-by-step process document based on the following workflow.

24. Brainstorm Ideas

Generate 10 ideas for improving the following process.

25. Create Frequently Asked Questions

Create a list of FAQs and answers based on the information below.

Pro Tips for Better Results

Be Specific

Instead of:
❌ "Write an email."

Try:
✅ "Write a professional follow-up email to a client after a mediation, summarizing next steps."

Provide Context

The more information you provide, the better the response is likely to be.

Instead of:
❌ "Create a checklist."

Try:
✅ "Create a checklist for onboarding a new [area of law] client."

Ask for a Format

Tell AI how you want the information organized.

Examples:

• "Put this in a table."

• "Summarize in bullet points."

• "Create a timeline."

• "Provide a numbered list."

• "Organize by priority."

Always review and verify:

• Legal citations

• Case law

• Statutes

• Client-facing communications

• Matter-specific facts

AI is a powerful assistant, but professional legal judgment remains essential.

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Start small, experiment often, and look for opportunities to save time on the work you're already doing every day.