11 Helpful ChatGPT Prompts for Lawyers (December 2023)

Lawyers often handle a multitude of complex tasks that require precision, analysis, and persuasive communication. ChatGPT can serve as a valuable tool to assist with legal writing, research, and client management. Here are 11 ChatGPT prompts tailored to legal professionals.

By the way: You can create your own 'Legal Assistant' in Bizway as a custom GPT Assistant to help you with all of these tasks (and get tailored responses based on your specific firm's details and background).

1. Crafting Legal Arguments

• The Prompt: "Help draft an argument for a case challenging the application of a zoning regulation."
• Sample response: "The application of the zoning regulation in question fails to consider the unique circumstances of the property, resulting in arbitrary enforcement that denies my client the equitable enjoyment of their land."
• Additional info to provide: Case facts, precedent cases, specific statutes.
• Use Cases: Brief writing, oral argument preparation, legal strategy formation.

2. Legal Research Assistance

• The Prompt: "Identify relevant case law on trademark disputes in the technology sector."
• Sample response: "Key cases include ABC Tech v. XYZ Innovations, where the distinctiveness of a trademark in software was upheld, and 123 Internet v. NetSolutions, focusing on likelihood of confusion in domain names."
• Additional info to provide: Jurisdiction, specific legal issues, technology subsectors.
• Use Cases: Litigation preparation, client advising, comparative legal analysis.

3. Enhancing Client Communication

• The Prompt: "Create a template for updating clients on the status of their case."
• Sample response: "Dear [Client Name], I am writing to inform you of the latest developments in your case. We have recently achieved [Update] and are currently focusing our efforts on [Next Steps]."
• Additional info to provide: Case details, preferred update frequency, client preferences.
• Use Cases: Maintaining client relations, ensuring transparency, managing expectations.

4. Analyzing Contract Clauses

• The Prompt: "Examine the enforceability of a non-compete clause in an employment contract."
• Sample response: "The non-compete clause must be reasonable in scope, duration, and geography to be enforceable. If it impedes the employee's ability to work in their field without serving a legitimate business interest, it may be considered too restrictive."
• Additional info to provide: Specific contract language, applicable state laws.
• Use Cases: Contract drafting, litigation risk assessment, client counseling.

5. Preparing Witness Examination Questions

• The Prompt: "Generate questions for cross-examining a witness in a commercial lease dispute."
• Sample response: "Isn't it true that the lease agreement was altered after both parties had initially signed? Please explain the nature of the communications that led to these alterations."
• Additional info to provide: Dispute specifics, witness background, case strategy.
• Use Cases: Trial preparation, deposition strategies, uncovering evidence.

6. Legal Memo Writing

• The Prompt: "Outline a legal memo concerning potential liability issues for a client's new product launch."
• Sample response: "The product's compliance with safety regulations and clear user instructions will be integral to reducing liability exposure. Furthermore, any warranty or guarantees should be explicitly detailed to avoid misinterpretation."
• Additional info to provide: Product details, relevant laws, comparative liability risks.
• Use Cases: Risk management advisories, in-house counsel briefing, pre-litigation review.

7. Persuasive Brief Writing

• The Prompt: "Develop a persuasive argument for a brief supporting a client's motion for summary judgment."
• Sample response: "The undisputed facts demonstrate that our client acted in full compliance with the law. Therefore, there are no material issues of fact necessitating a trial, and summary judgment is both appropriate and warranted in this instance."
• Additional info to provide: Case law, jurisdictional precedents, evidentiary matters.
• Use Cases: Motion drafting, trial avoidance, efficient case resolution.

8. Developing Legal Document Templates

• The Prompt: "Create a template for a demand letter in a debt collection matter."
• Sample response: "This letter serves as formal notice that you are currently in arrears of [Amount]. Payment is requested within [Time Frame] to avoid further legal action."
• Additional info to provide: Debt specifics, creditor agreements, regulatory requirements.
• Use Cases: Template creation for repetitive documentation, streamlining casework, quick client service.

9. Estate Planning Documentation

• The Prompt: "Explain the key components of a living trust document."
• Sample response: "A living trust should clearly identify the settlor, trustee, and beneficiaries, outline the trust assets, and detail the distribution terms and management guidelines for the trust property."
• Additional info to provide: Client's estate planning goals, tax considerations.
• Use Cases: Estate planning, asset protection strategies, family law advising.

10. Advice on Legal Career Paths

• The Prompt: "Provide guidance for law students considering a career in environmental law."
• Sample response: "Gain experience through internships with environmental agencies or nonprofits, stay informed on current environmental legislation, and consider additional courses or certification in environmental science."
• Additional info to provide: Education level, personal interests, career objectives.
• Use Cases: Career development, specialization choices, academic planning.

11. Intellectual Property Strategy

• The Prompt: "Draft a strategy outline for a tech startup to manage and protect its intellectual property."
• Sample response: "Conduct thorough IP audits, secure patents for unique inventions, register trademarks for brand elements, and implement confidentiality agreements to safeguard proprietary information."
• Additional info to provide: Startup industry, types of IP, business scale and scope.
• Use Cases: IP portfolio management, competitive edge maintenance, business scaling.

ChatGPT prompts can be highly effective in assisting lawyers to perform their daily tasks more efficiently while continuously adapting to the evolving complexities of the law.