The 21 Best AI Prompts For Lawyers To Improve Productivity In 2025

Legal work is demanding, and every minute counts. That’s why AI prompts for lawyers have become a must-have tool for legal professionals. 

Whether you need help with drafting contracts, conducting legal research, or summarizing case law, AI-powered tools like ChatGPT can streamline your workflow and free up time for higher-value tasks.

In this guide, I’ll share 21 AI prompts that you can use to speed up legal research, automate document drafting, improve client communication, and manage cases more efficiently. 

These prompts are designed to help you make the most of legal AI tools without compromising accuracy or professionalism.

Legal Research and Case Analysis Prompts

AI has changed how lawyers conduct legal research. Instead of spending hours manually reading case law or analyzing contracts, AI tools can summarize cases, identify precedents, and highlight key risks within minutes. 

This is especially useful when working under tight deadlines or reviewing complex legal documents. However, while AI speeds up research, it’s important to verify its findings to ensure accuracy and legal validity.

Below are three detailed AI prompts that can help you get the most out of AI-assisted legal research:

1. Summarizing a Case and Extracting Key Holdings

When researching a case, I need a quick, clear summary without reading through pages of legal text. Instead of manually parsing through court opinions, AI can extract key details and present them in a structured format. This is useful when I’m analyzing multiple cases at once or need to explain a ruling to a client or colleague in simple terms.

Prompt:
“Summarize the case [Case Name] in simple language. Identify the key legal issues, the court’s reasoning, and the final ruling. Provide a bullet-point breakdown covering:

1. The background of the case.
2. The main legal question(s).
3. The court’s decision.
4. Key takeaways that may impact similar cases.”

What ChatGPT Gives Me:

• A concise summary of the case in plain language.
• A structured breakdown of the ruling, making it easier to reference.
• An explanation of how the case impacts similar legal situations.

2. Finding Relevant Case Precedents

Legal arguments are stronger when they’re backed by solid precedents. However, finding the right cases takes time, especially when dealing with multiple jurisdictions or niche areas of law. AI can quickly scan databases and identify relevant precedents, allowing me to focus on how to apply them to my case.

Prompt:
“Find three case precedents related to [legal issue]. Summarize each case’s ruling and explain how it applies to a similar case. Structure the response as follows:

1. Case name and citation.
2. Brief summary of the facts.
3. Key legal issue(s) addressed.
4. The court’s ruling and reasoning.
5. How can this precedent be used in a similar case?”

What ChatGPT Gives Me:

• A curated list of relevant case precedents.
• A summary of each ruling makes it easier to understand.
• Insights into how the precedent can be applied in a current case.

3. Analyzing a Contract for Key Risks

Contracts often contain complex legal language that can obscure potential risks. Whether I’m reviewing a business contract, an employment agreement, or a client service agreement, I need to spot red flags that could lead to disputes. AI can scan a contract and flag high-risk clauses, saving me time, increasing my productivity, and helping me focus on critical areas.

Prompt:
“Review the following contract and identify any clauses that may pose legal risks. Highlight sections related to:

1. Liability and indemnification.
2. Termination and breach consequences.
3. Confidentiality and non-compete obligations.
4. Dispute resolution mechanisms.
5. Any vague or one-sided terms that could lead to legal disputes.

Explain each risk in simple terms and suggest possible revisions.”

What ChatGPT Gives Me:

• A list of high-risk clauses with explanations in plain language.
• Insights into potential legal issues the contract might create.
• Recommendations on how to modify the clauses to reduce risk.

Contract Drafting and Review Prompts

Drafting and reviewing contracts is a big part of legal work, but it can be time-consuming and detail-heavy. I often find myself double-checking clauses, comparing agreements against standard templates, and making sure there are no missing protections. AI makes this process easier by suggesting contract clauses, identifying risks, and comparing contracts to industry standards.

Here are three AI prompts that help me draft and review contracts more efficiently.

4. Generating a Contract Template for a Specific Use Case

When drafting contracts from scratch, I need a solid template that covers all key legal terms. Instead of spending hours formatting a new agreement, I use AI to generate a customized contract based on my specific needs.

Prompt:
“Create a contract template for a [contract type, e.g., freelance work, NDA, employment agreement] that includes standard clauses for:

1. Scope of work or obligations.
2. Payment terms (if applicable).
3. Confidentiality and data protection.
4. Termination conditions.
5. Liability and indemnification.
6. Dispute resolution mechanisms.

Ensure it follows [jurisdiction] laws and best practices.”

What ChatGPT Gives Me:

• A structured contract with legally sound clauses.
• Key protections for both parties, ensuring fairness.
• A clear format that I can refine or customize further.

5. Identifying Missing Clauses or Potential Risks in a Contract

When reviewing a contract, I need to spot missing protections or risky terms that could lead to disputes. AI can analyze a contract and flag any vague language, unbalanced clauses, or missing standard terms.

Prompt:
“Analyze the following contract and identify any missing clauses or potential risks. Look for:

1. Unclear or one-sided language.
2. Missing liability or indemnification clauses.
3. Termination or renewal conditions may be problematic.
4. Confidentiality and data protection risks.
5. Any provisions that could cause legal disputes.

Provide a summary of risks and suggest alternative wording where needed.”

What ChatGPT Gives Me:

• A list of potential issues in the contract.
• Suggestions for improving clarity and fairness.
• Alternative wording for problematic clauses.

6. Comparing a Contract Against a Standard Template

When reviewing a contract, I often compare it to industry-standard agreements to see if anything important is missing. AI can quickly highlight differences between a contract and a known standard template, making it easy to spot inconsistencies.

Prompt:
“Compare the following contract with a standard [contract type] template. Identify key differences, including:

1. Clauses that are missing or worded differently.
2. Any terms that are unusually strict or vague.
3. Differences in payment terms, liability, or dispute resolution.
4. Sections that may need revision for better legal protection.

Provide a structured breakdown of these differences.”

What ChatGPT Gives Me:

• A side-by-side comparison of my contract vs. a standard version.
• A highlighted list of differences in key clauses.
• Recommendations for revisions to align with best practices.

To further streamline this process, I use Team-GPT, which allows me to work with my team on legal documents in real time. With their AI-powered contract analysis, I can:

• Generate structured contract templates for different use cases.
• Identify missing clauses or risky terms before finalizing an agreement.
• Compare contracts against industry standards to spot inconsistencies.
• Refine contract language with AI-suggested alternative wording.

Client Communication and Management Prompts For Legal

AI can help me communicate with clients more effectively by generating clear, structured messages that are professional yet easy to understand. From drafting emails and explaining legal concepts to handling difficult conversations, AI tools like ChatGPT streamline my workflow and improve client interactions.

Here are three AI prompts that help with different aspects of client communication.

7. Drafting Client Emails: Updates and Follow-ups

Keeping clients informed is crucial, but drafting professional yet concise updates takes time. This prompt helps me generate clear, structured emails for case updates, follow-ups, and reminders.

Prompt:

“Write a professional yet client-friendly email updating a client about the status of their case. The client is waiting for a response from the opposing party, and there are no major updates yet. The email should reassure the client that the case is progressing, outline the next steps, and offer to answer any questions. Keep the tone professional but approachable.”

What ChatGPT Gives Me:

• A well-structured email with a reassuring tone.
• A clear update on the case without unnecessary jargon.
• A call-to-action inviting the client to ask questions.
• A professional yet warm closing statement to maintain trust.

8. Explaining Legal Concepts in Client-Friendly Language

Clients often struggle to understand legal jargon. AI helps me break down complex legal topics into simple, digestible explanations that make sense to non-lawyers.

Prompt:

“Explain the discovery process in a personal injury case to a client who has never been involved in litigation before. Use simple, non-legal language while maintaining professionalism. Make the explanation concise and easy to follow.”

What ChatGPT Gives Me:

• A clear, step-by-step explanation of the discovery process.
• No unnecessary legal jargon—only simple, client-friendly terms.
• Context on why each step matters, helping the client feel informed.
• A brief conclusion that reassures the client and sets expectations.

9. Handling Difficult Client Conversations

Some conversations, like delivering bad news or managing expectations, require a careful balance of professionalism and empathy. This prompt helps me craft responses that are firm yet understanding.

Prompt:

“Draft a response for a client who is frustrated about delays in their case. The email should acknowledge their frustration, explain the reason for the delay in simple terms, and reassure them that I am actively working on their case. Keep the tone empathetic yet professional.”

What ChatGPT Gives Me:

• An empathetic yet firm response to address concerns professionally.
• A clear explanation of the reason for the delay.
• A proactive reassurance that I am handling their case.
• A closing statement inviting further discussion to maintain transparency.

Legal Brief and Memo Writing Prompts

Writing legal briefs and memos can be tedious, especially when I need to organize legal arguments, analyze opposing views, and refine citations. AI helps me structure my arguments, draft initial versions, and strengthen legal reasoning, saving time while improving clarity. Below are three AI prompts I use to streamline the process.

1. Structuring a Legal Brief Argument

Before drafting a legal brief, I need a clear, logical structure to present my argument persuasively. A poorly structured brief can weaken my case, making my argument less effective. Instead of starting from scratch, I use AI to generate a detailed outline that follows a strong legal framework.

Prompt:

“Draft an outline for a motion to dismiss in a breach of contract case where the statute of limitations has expired. Structure it with key sections, including the statement of facts, legal standard, primary argument, supporting case law, and conclusion. Make sure to provide legal reasoning for why the court should dismiss the case.”

What ChatGPT Gives Me:

• A structured outline that includes:
  • Introduction – Summarizing the key legal issue and the basis for dismissal.
  • Statement of Facts – Briefly outlining the contract, alleged breach, and timeline.
  • Legal Standard – Citing statutes and case law defining the statute of limitations.
  • Argument – Explaining why the claim is time-barred, with supporting precedents.
  • Conclusion – Summarizing why dismissal is appropriate.
• Relevant case law – AI suggests cases where courts dismissed similar claims.
• Logical flow of reasoning – Ensuring the argument is presented clearly and persuasively.

11. Summarizing and Analyzing Opposing Arguments

Anticipating counterarguments is crucial when writing a legal memo or preparing for court. If I don’t address the opposition’s strongest points, my argument can seem one-sided or incomplete. AI helps me identify and analyze potential counterarguments, saving me time and ensuring my response is well-prepared.

Prompt:

“Summarize potential counterarguments for a defendant in a workplace discrimination lawsuit based on a lack of evidence. Provide legal reasoning and case law that could support these counterarguments. Then, suggest ways to respond effectively to each counterargument.”

What ChatGPT Gives Me:

• A breakdown of common counterarguments, such as:
  • Lack of direct evidence – Arguing that the plaintiff has not provided sufficient proof.
  • Failure to meet the burden of proof – Highlighting the legal standard and why the plaintiff falls short.
  • Procedural defenses – Noting missed filing deadlines or jurisdictional issues.
• Supporting case law – Providing examples where similar arguments succeeded.
• Suggested responses to counterarguments – Helping me craft a stronger rebuttal.

12. Strengthening Citations and Legal Reasoning

A strong legal argument is only as good as the citations and reasoning behind it. If I don’t support my claims with solid case law, my argument loses credibility. AI helps me identify missing citations, suggest stronger legal phrasing, and improve clarity.

Prompt:

“Review the following legal argument in a contract dispute memo. Identify any weak reasoning, suggest alternative legal language, and provide missing case citations to strengthen the argument.”

What ChatGPT Gives Me:

• A review of unclear or weak arguments, with suggestions to improve logical flow.
• Better legal wording suggests concise, precise phrasing to improve clarity.
• AI identifies applicable case citations to support my claims.

AI Prompts For Getting Assistance With Legal Research for Specific Practice Areas

Legal research can be time-consuming, especially when dealing with practice-specific areas like intellectual property, family law, or corporate regulations. I use AI tools like ChatGPT to speed up research, track jurisdiction-specific requirements, and cross-reference multiple sources. Instead of spending hours digging through case law, I get structured insights in minutes.

Here are three AI prompts I rely on for specialized legal research.

13. Intellectual Property Law: Patentability of AI-Generated Inventions

Patent law is evolving, especially when it comes to AI-generated inventions. If I need to understand current standards and legal precedents, I use AI to analyze recent decisions from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

Prompt:

“Summarize recent USPTO decisions regarding AI-generated inventions. Identify key trends in patentability standards, referencing at least three cases from the past five years. Include any notable differences in how the USPTO, EPO (European Patent Office), and WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization) approach AI-generated patents.”

What ChatGPT Gives Me:

• A summary of recent cases – AI pulls relevant USPTO rulings and breaks them down.
• Comparison of global patent laws – Differences in how the U.S., Europe, and international bodies handle AI-generated inventions.
• Key takeaways for practitioners – Clear insights on how these rulings affect future patent applications.

14. Family Law: Child Custody Cases and Judicial Trends

Family law varies by jurisdiction, and custody decisions depend on recent court rulings and evolving legal standards. Instead of sifting through endless case law, I use AI to identify judicial trends in custody disputes.

Prompt:

“Analyze judicial trends in child custody rulings in [specific state]. Summarize the most cited case law from the past five years, focusing on factors judges consider when determining custody. Highlight differences in rulings based on joint custody, sole custody, and parental fitness.”

What ChatGPT Gives Me:

• A breakdown of recent rulings – AI finds key cases shaping custody law.
• State-specific insights – Ensuring research is relevant to local jurisdictional rules.
• Factors courts prioritize – AI highlights the most common considerations (e.g., child’s best interest, parental stability).

15. Corporate Law: Compliance with SEC Regulations

For corporate clients, staying compliant with Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regulations is critical. AI helps me track regulatory changes and analyze enforcement actions efficiently.

Prompt:

“Summarize key SEC enforcement actions from the past year related to financial disclosures and reporting violations. Identify trends in penalties, compliance requirements, and industries most affected. Provide citations to official SEC filings.”

What ChatGPT Gives Me:

• A list of recent SEC enforcement cases – AI compiles cases where companies faced fines or penalties.
• Trends in regulatory focus – AI identifies patterns in SEC investigations.
• Citations to official SEC sources – Ensuring accuracy and verifiability.

AI Prompts For Litigation Preparation and Strategy

Litigation requires careful preparation, from case theory development to witness preparation. AI tools like ChatGPT can streamline this process, helping me refine arguments, anticipate counterarguments, and craft effective deposition questions. Below are three AI prompts that I use for litigation strategy, along with examples of how they assist in case preparation.

16. Developing a Strong Case Theory

Before presenting a case, I need a clear theory that aligns with the facts and legal principles. This prompt helps me refine my argument and anticipate counterarguments.

Prompt:

“Act as a litigation strategist and analyze the following case facts: [Insert case details]. Identify the strongest legal arguments supporting my client’s position. Then, provide the top three counterarguments the opposing counsel might use and suggest strategies to rebut them.”

What ChatGPT Gives Me:

• A structured breakdown of the case, highlighting key legal arguments.
• Three likely counterarguments with potential weaknesses in my case.
• Strategic rebuttals to strengthen my position.

17. Crafting Deposition Questions for Witnesses

Deposition preparation is critical for gathering useful testimony. This prompt helps me generate precise and insightful questions based on the case facts.

Prompt:

“Generate a list of deposition questions for a [type of witness, e.g., expert witness, opposing party, key fact witness] in a [case type, e.g., contract dispute, personal injury] case. Focus on uncovering inconsistencies, establishing credibility, and clarifying key facts. Ensure the questions comply with [jurisdiction] deposition rules.”

What ChatGPT Gives Me:

• A list of direct and cross-examination questions tailored to my case.
• Strategies for phrasing questions to avoid objections.
• Suggestions for follow-up questions based on witness responses.

18. Creating Jury Selection Questionnaires

Jury selection can influence trial outcomes. This prompt helps me craft questionnaires that identify biases and assess suitability.

Prompt:

“Draft a jury selection questionnaire for a [type of case]. Include questions that assess potential biases, familiarity with the subject matter, and attitudes toward key legal issues. Ensure the questions comply with [jurisdiction] jury selection guidelines.”

What ChatGPT Gives Me:

• A detailed questionnaire with open- and closed-ended questions.
• Questions are designed to reveal implicit biases.
• Insights into jury attitudes that could impact my case.

AI Prompts for Legal Case Evaluation

Evaluating a legal case involves assessing its viability, potential risks, and possible outcomes. AI tools like ChatGPT can streamline this process by helping me create intake questionnaires, analyze case strength, and estimate damages. Below are three AI prompts that assist with case evaluation, along with examples of how they improve efficiency.

19. Creating Client Intake Questionnaires

A well-structured intake questionnaire helps me collect key case details upfront, making initial assessments faster and more accurate. This prompt generates a tailored questionnaire based on the type of case.

Prompt:

“Generate a client intake questionnaire for a [case type, e.g., personal injury, contract dispute, employment law] case. The questionnaire should gather essential details such as parties involved, key facts, potential witnesses, supporting evidence, and relevant deadlines. Format the questions to be clear and structured for easy client responses.”

What ChatGPT Gives Me:

• A structured questionnaire covering critical case details.
• Well-worded questions that clients can easily understand and answer.
• A checklist for gathering supporting documents.

20. Evaluating Case Strength and Potential Outcomes

Before taking on a case, I need to determine whether it has merit and assess possible legal arguments. This prompt helps me analyze case strength based on jurisdictional laws.

Prompt:

“Analyze the following case facts: [Insert case details]. Evaluate the strength of the claim under [jurisdiction] law. Identify key legal arguments, possible defenses, and the likelihood of success. Suggest additional evidence or legal strategies that could strengthen the case.”

What ChatGPT Gives Me:

• An objective evaluation of case strengths and weaknesses.
• A list of potential legal arguments and defenses.
• Suggestions for additional evidence to bolster the case.

21. Estimating Damages and Settlement Ranges

Accurately estimating damages is critical for negotiations and case valuation. This prompt helps me calculate potential damages based on legal standards.

Prompt:

“Based on the following case details, calculate potential damages for a [case type] under [jurisdiction] law. Consider economic damages (e.g., lost wages, medical expenses), non-economic damages (e.g., pain and suffering), and any punitive damages if applicable. Provide a possible settlement range based on similar cases.”

What ChatGPT Gives Me:

• A breakdown of potential damages based on legal principles.
• Estimated settlement ranges based on comparable cases.
• Insights into factors that could increase or decrease compensation.

How To Write Better AI Prompts For Legal

AI tools like ChatGPT can simplify legal research, contract drafting, and case analysis—but only if you give it the right instructions. The key to getting precise, useful responses is structuring your prompts properly. Here’s how:

1. Goal – Define the Desired Outcome

Start by specifying what you want AI to do. The more precise your request, the better the outcome. Instead of vague prompts like “Summarize this document”, be specific:

• Summarize this contract, highlighting termination clauses and indemnity provisions.
• Draft a cease-and-desist letter addressing trademark infringement under U.S. law.
• Analyze this privacy policy for GDPR compliance and suggest necessary changes.

2. Context – Provide Essential Details

Legal AI responses improve significantly when given relevant details. Context includes:

• Jurisdiction (U.S. corporate law, EU privacy regulations, etc.)
• Intended Use (Internal reference, client advisory, court submission).
• Format (Bullet points, formal legal language, structured analysis).

For example, I usually write something like “Draft a legal memo explaining the enforceability of non-compete clauses in Texas employment contracts. Keep it concise and reference recent case law.”

3. Persona – Set the Right Voice

Legal writing varies depending on the role of the person drafting it. You can instruct AI to adopt a specific persona to refine the tone and approach, such as:

• A corporate attorney drafting an NDA.
• A compliance officer reviewing data protection policies.
• A paralegal summarizing case law in plain language.

By guiding AI with an appropriate persona, you can get responses that match the required legal standard.

Use Team-GPT’s Pre-Made Legal Prompts & Personas

Crafting effective prompts doesn’t have to be complicated. Team-GPT offers a library of pre-made legal prompts and customizable personas to help you streamline legal research, contract analysis, and document drafting.

Want to master AI prompting for legal work? Watch this video to learn more: 

Here’s An Example of a Bad and a Good AI Prompt For Legal

Not all AI prompts deliver useful legal responses. A vague prompt can lead to generic or incomplete results, while a well-structured prompt ensures relevant and actionable output.

Bad Prompt

“Summarize this contract.”

Why It’s Bad:

• It is too broad and doesn’t specify which parts of the contract are important.
• No details about the type of contract (e.g., employment agreement, service contract).
• Lacks guidance on formatting or tone.

Good Prompt

“Summarize this employment contract by highlighting key clauses related to termination, non-compete restrictions, and severance pay. Keep the language clear and concise, and provide a bullet-point summary for quick reference.”

Why It’s Good:

• Specifies what needs to be summarized (termination, non-compete, severance).
• Defines the contract type (employment contract).
• Gives instructions on tone and format (clear, concise, bullet points).

Next Steps For Lawyers: Collaborate With Your Legal Team With ChatGPT on Team-GPT

If you’re using ChatGPT for legal work, imagine what’s possible when your entire legal team collaborates in a shared AI workspace. 

Team-GPT simplifies how legal professionals analyze contracts, conduct legal research, and draft documents, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and efficiency across your team.

Legal teams using Team-GPT report faster case preparation, improved document review, and streamlined due diligence. Here’s how:

• Legal Document Analysis: Upload contracts and legal documents, and let AI extract key clauses and risks.
• Legal Research at Scale: Search case law and statutes instantly to find relevant precedents.
• Drafting Assistance: Generate legal memos, briefs, and compliance reports with AI-powered precision.
• Real-Time Collaboration: Work with your team in shared AI conversations, fork discussions to explore different arguments, and maintain audit trails for compliance.
• Enterprise-Ready Security: Choose on-premise or private cloud deployment to keep sensitive client data secure.

No tech skills? No problem. Team-GPT is designed for legal professionals of all backgrounds, with a user-friendly interface and flexible AI model integrations—including ChatGPT, Azure, Gemini, and more.

Book a demo to see how Team-GPT can accelerate your legal team’s productivity!

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