AI is reshaping legal practice faster than any technology since e-discovery. In 2026, solo practitioners and Big Law associates alike are using ChatGPT to handle first-draft work, research, and client communication — not to replace legal judgment, but to free it up for work that actually requires it.
Important caveat: AI-generated legal content always requires attorney review. These prompts produce drafts and starting points, never final work product. Use them to save time on low-judgment tasks so you can spend more time on high-judgment ones.
Contract Drafting & Review
1. First-Draft Contract Clause Generator
Draft a [CLAUSE TYPE] clause for a [CONTRACT TYPE] between [PARTY A] and [PARTY B].
Key terms:
- [KEY TERM 1]
- [KEY TERM 2]
- [KEY TERM 3]
Jurisdiction: [STATE/COUNTRY]
Governing law: [APPLICABLE LAW IF ANY]
Tone: Formal, plain English where possible
Flag any provisions that would need jurisdiction-specific review.
Use for: NDAs, limitation of liability clauses, indemnification, IP assignment, payment terms.
2. Contract Red-Flag Reviewer
Review the following contract clause and identify:
1. Any provisions that are unusually one-sided against [MY CLIENT'S POSITION]
2. Missing standard protections (what's absent that should be there?)
3. Ambiguous language that could create disputes
4. Suggested revisions for each issue, with brief rationale
[PASTE CLAUSE OR CONTRACT SECTION]
My client is: [BRIEFLY DESCRIBE CLIENT AND THEIR ROLE IN THIS AGREEMENT]
3. NDA Customiser
I need to customise a standard mutual NDA for the following situation:
Parties: [PARTY A] (disclosing) and [PARTY B] (receiving)
Purpose of disclosure: [DESCRIBE]
Sensitivity of information: [HIGH/MEDIUM — describe why]
Duration: [PROPOSED TERM]
Special requirements: [ANY SPECIFIC NEEDS]
Jurisdiction: [STATE]
Draft the key operative clauses: definition of Confidential Information,
exclusions, obligations of receiving party, permitted disclosures,
term and termination, and remedies. Keep language clear and enforceable.
Legal Research & Analysis
4. Case Law Summary Generator
Summarise the following case for use in a legal brief:
[PASTE CASE CITATION OR KEY FACTS]
Include:
- Jurisdiction and court
- Procedural posture
- Key facts (3–5 bullet points)
- Legal issue(s) decided
- Holding and rationale
- Precedential value for [MY LEGAL ARGUMENT]
Note any limitations or distinguishing factors from my case:
My case involves: [BRIEF DESCRIPTION]
Note: Always verify case citations and holdings against primary sources — Westlaw, Lexis, or the official court reporter.
5. Statute Interpretation Assistant
Explain [STATUTE NAME/SECTION] in plain language.
Specifically:
1. What does it require/prohibit?
2. Who does it apply to?
3. What are the penalties or consequences for non-compliance?
4. What are common defences or exceptions?
5. How have courts in [JURISDICTION] interpreted [SPECIFIC AMBIGUOUS TERM OR PHRASE]?
Context: I need to advise a client who [DESCRIBE CLIENT SITUATION].
6. Legal Memo First Draft
Draft a legal memorandum analysing the following issue:
QUESTION PRESENTED: [STATE THE LEGAL QUESTION]
Facts: [DESCRIBE RELEVANT FACTS]
Jurisdiction: [STATE/FEDERAL]
Applicable law: [STATUTES, REGULATIONS, OR CASE LAW IF KNOWN]
Format:
- Heading (To/From/Date/Re)
- Question Presented
- Brief Answer (2–3 sentences)
- Facts
- Analysis (IRAC structure)
- Conclusion
Flag areas requiring additional research or jurisdiction-specific verification.
Client Communication
7. Client Intake Summary
Based on the following intake notes, draft a client summary email that:
1. Confirms the key facts as we understand them
2. Identifies the legal issue(s) in plain language
3. Outlines the next steps and timeline
4. Lists documents/information we still need from the client
5. Sets clear expectations about the process
Intake notes: [PASTE NOTES]
Tone: Warm but professional. Plain English — avoid Latin and jargon.
8. Adverse Decision Explanation Letter
Draft a letter to a client explaining an adverse court ruling.
Ruling: [DESCRIBE THE OUTCOME]
Client's position: [WHAT THEY EXPECTED OR HOPED FOR]
What this means for their case: [PRACTICAL IMPACT]
Options going forward: [APPEAL, SETTLEMENT, OTHER]
Tone: Empathetic, clear, and forward-looking. Do not assign blame.
Length: 3–4 paragraphs.
Avoid legalese — write as if explaining to a non-lawyer.
9. Settlement Demand Letter Framework
Draft a settlement demand letter for:
Client: [CLIENT NAME] (plaintiff/claimant)
Opposing party: [DEFENDANT NAME]
Claim type: [PERSONAL INJURY / CONTRACT BREACH / EMPLOYMENT / OTHER]
Facts summary: [PASTE KEY FACTS]
Damages claimed:
- Economic: [AMOUNT AND BREAKDOWN]
- Non-economic: [DESCRIPTION]
- Total demand: [AMOUNT]
Deadline for response: [DATE]
Tone: Professional, assertive, factually specific. Reference supporting documents as Exhibits.
Court Filings & Procedures
10. Motion Structure Planner
I'm drafting a [MOTION TYPE] in [COURT]. Help me plan the structure.
Case: [BRIEF DESCRIPTION]
Applicable rule: [RULE NUMBER IF KNOWN]
My argument: [STATE YOUR POSITION IN 2–3 SENTENCES]
Key evidence: [LIST KEY SUPPORTING FACTS/EXHIBITS]
Opposing likely arguments: [ANTICIPATED COUNTER-ARGUMENTS]
Produce:
1. Recommended section headers
2. Strongest argument order (lead with best)
3. Key cases to research and include
4. Weaknesses to pre-empt
11. Deposition Question Outline
Generate a deposition question outline for [WITNESS NAME/TYPE].
Case type: [CASE DESCRIPTION]
Witness role: [DESCRIBE WITNESS'S INVOLVEMENT]
My client's position: [PLAINTIFF/DEFENDANT AND BRIEF GOAL]
Key facts to establish: [LIST 3–5]
Credibility issues to probe: [IF ANY]
Organise by topic, not chronological order. Include:
- Background/foundation questions
- Key factual areas (one section per topic)
- Impeachment opportunities
- Questions to lock in damaging admissions
12. Law Firm Blog Post (Business Development)
Write a 600-word blog post for a [PRACTICE AREA] law firm on: "[TOPIC]"
Target reader: Potential clients — not lawyers. Write for a [DESCRIBE CLIENT: "small business owner", "employee who was just fired", etc.]
Structure:
- Headline that addresses the reader's worry directly
- Opening: What this post will help them understand
- 3–4 main points (what the law says in plain English)
- Common mistakes people make
- When to call a lawyer
- CTA: Encourage readers to book a consultation
Tone: Authoritative but approachable. No Latin. No case citations.
Create Professional Visuals for Your Law Practice
A professional visual identity builds trust with clients before they ever speak to you. These AI image prompts from our library produce polished visuals suited to a legal practice — for firm websites, presentations, and marketing materials.
Renaissance Portrait Style — Try this image prompt free →
Architectural Render — Try this image prompt free →
Art Deco Design — Try this image prompt free →
Best Practices for Lawyers Using ChatGPT
Always review AI output for accuracy
ChatGPT can hallucinate case citations, misstate statutes, and miss jurisdiction-specific nuances. Every AI draft requires attorney review before use.
Never input privileged information
Don't paste real client names, case numbers, or identifying details into ChatGPT (consumer version). Use placeholders: [CLIENT], [OPPOSING PARTY], [CASE NO.].
Use it for structure, not substance
AI excels at generating outlines, formatting, and boilerplate. The legal analysis and judgment remain yours.
Build a prompt library for your practice area
Standardised prompts for common tasks (NDA review, client intake letters, court filings) create consistency across your team and make junior associate work more efficient.
Pair with legal research tools
AI prompts are not a substitute for Westlaw or Lexis. Use ChatGPT for drafting and structure; use primary source research tools for citation verification.
Conclusion
These 12 ChatGPT prompts for lawyers address the tasks that consume the most non-billable time: drafting, research structuring, and client communication. The attorneys who will thrive in the next decade aren't those who resist AI — they're those who learn to delegate the right tasks to it.
Explore the full prompt library for 70+ AI prompt templates across creative and professional use cases. And if you need ready-made AI skills for specific legal workflows, see our Claude Skills for Lawyers section.
Remember: AI is a drafting assistant, not a lawyer. Judgment, ethics, and client relationships remain irreplaceably human.