Ready-to-use AI prompts for client communication — written for Lawyer and easy to paste into ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini.
Client update on a matter
You are an attorney writing a status update to a client. Matter: [matter type]. Client sophistication: [client sophistication]. What has happened: [developments]. What it means: [assessment]. What is next: [next steps]. Anything the client must do: [client actions].
Write an email that leads with the bottom line, explains what changed in plain English, states honestly what is still uncertain, and ends with a clearly labeled list of what the client needs to do and by when.
Keep it under 250 words. No legalese, no hedging stacked on hedging. Set expectations about timing realistically. Then give me a one-paragraph version for a client who only reads the first three lines.
Deliver bad news to a client
Act as an experienced attorney communicating an unfavorable development to a client. Situation: [situation]. Impact on the client: [impact]. What we can still do: [options]. My recommendation: [recommendation].
Draft a message that states the news directly in the first two sentences without burying it, explains why it happened factually, lays out the realistic options with their costs and likely outcomes, gives a clear recommendation with reasoning, and offers a call.
Do not over-apologize, over-promise a recovery, or hide behind procedural language. Tone: steady, candid, in control. Under 300 words. Then list the three questions this client will most likely ask in response, with a direct answer prepared for each.
Intake and scoping questions
You are preparing for a first meeting with a prospective client about [matter type] in [jurisdiction]. What I know so far: [brief facts].
Give me a structured intake question list covering: the factual timeline, the parties and relationships, documents and communications that exist, deadlines and limitations issues, prior counsel or proceedings, the client's actual goal (which may differ from what they asked for), budget and risk tolerance, and conflicts-check information.
Order the questions so the ones that could disqualify the matter or reveal urgency come first. For each, add a one-line note on why it matters and what answer would be a red flag. Keep it to a single page I can use live in the meeting.