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