Prompt Engineering for Lawyers: 30 Prompts for Research, Drafting, and Case Analysis

I'm a [PRACTICE AREA] attorney researching [LEGAL ISSUE] in [JURISDICTION]. Give me an overview of the current state of case law on this topic. Include:
- The controlling standard courts apply
- 3–5 landmark or frequently cited cases (with brief holdings)
- Any circuit splits or jurisdictional variations I should know about
- Recent trends (last 2–3 years)

Flag any areas where the law is unsettled. I'll verify citations independently.

Here is the text of [STATUTE/REGULATION]:

[PASTE STATUTE TEXT]

Explain what this provision means in plain English. Then identify:
1. The key operative terms and how courts have typically interpreted them
2. Any ambiguities that have led to litigation
3. Any exceptions or safe harbors
4. How this interacts with [RELATED STATUTE OR REGULATION] if relevant

My client is a [TYPE OF BUSINESS] operating in [STATE/JURISDICTION]. They are asking about compliance obligations related to [REGULATORY TOPIC — e.g., data privacy, environmental permitting, employment classification].

Give me:
- The primary federal and state regulatory frameworks that apply
- The key agencies involved and their enforcement history
- The 3 most common compliance failures companies in this space make
- The penalties for non-compliance
- Any recent regulatory changes or pending rule-makings I should flag

I'll verify everything against primary sources.

Compare how [STATE 1], [STATE 2], and [STATE 3] handle [LEGAL ISSUE — e.g., non-compete enforceability, data breach notification, LLC piercing liability].

For each state, cover:
- The controlling statute or common law rule
- The factors courts emphasize
- Notable case outcomes
- How favorable it is for [PLAINTIFF/DEFENDANT/EMPLOYER/EMPLOYEE — choose one]

Format as a comparison table, then add a brief narrative summary.

My client's position is: [STATE YOUR LEGAL ARGUMENT IN 2–3 SENTENCES].

Play opposing counsel. Generate the strongest counterarguments to this position, including:
- The best case law they'd cite against us
- The weakest points in our argument they'd attack
- Any policy arguments a court might find persuasive against us
- Procedural or jurisdictional arguments they might raise

Don't pull punches. I need to know where we're vulnerable.

I'm deposing [WITNESS ROLE — e.g., "the plaintiff's treating physician"] in a [CASE TYPE] case. The key disputed facts are:

[LIST 3–5 KEY DISPUTED FACTS]

Generate a deposition outline with:
- Foundation/background questions
- Questions targeting each disputed fact
- Impeachment setup questions (if the witness has made prior inconsistent statements — I'll insert those)
- Closing questions designed to lock in admissions

Format as a numbered outline I can print and mark up.

Draft a legal research memo on the following issue:

QUESTION PRESENTED: [STATE THE LEGAL QUESTION]
JURISDICTION: [JURISDICTION]
RELEVANT FACTS: [2–3 SENTENCES OF RELEVANT FACTS]

Format: Question Presented → Brief Answer → Facts → Analysis → Conclusion.

In the Analysis section, address both the strongest arguments for and against the position. Flag where you're uncertain about the law — I'll verify and fill gaps. Aim for 600–900 words.

I need to create privilege log entries for the following documents. For each, draft a privilege log description that:
- Describes the document without revealing privileged content
- Identifies the privilege claimed (attorney-client, work product, or both)
- Notes the author, recipient, and date
- Is defensible under [JURISDICTION]'s privilege log requirements

Documents:
[LIST DOCUMENTS WITH BASIC METADATA — e.g., "Email, John Smith to Jane Attorney, 3/15/2025, re: litigation strategy"]

Draft a mutual non-disclosure agreement for the following situation:

Parties: [PARTY 1 — TYPE OF ENTITY] and [PARTY 2 — TYPE OF ENTITY]
Purpose of disclosure: [e.g., "evaluating a potential acquisition"]
Duration of confidentiality: [X years]
Jurisdiction: [STATE]
Notable requirements: [e.g., "must cover oral disclosures," "residuals clause needed," "no reverse engineering"]

Include standard definitions, exclusions from confidentiality, return/destruction of materials, remedies clause, and general provisions. Flag any terms where parties commonly negotiate.

Draft a [CLAUSE TYPE — e.g., limitation of liability, indemnification, force majeure] clause for a [CONTRACT TYPE] governed by [STATE] law.

My client is the [PARTY ROLE — e.g., service provider, licensor, buyer]. Draft the clause to favor my client's position. Then provide an alternative "balanced" version. Note the key negotiating points between the two versions.

Review the following contract and identify:
1. Provisions that are unusually favorable to the other party
2. Missing standard protections I'd expect in this type of agreement
3. Ambiguous language that could create disputes
4. Any clauses that are potentially unenforceable under [STATE] law

For each issue, explain: what it says, why it's a problem, and what I should propose instead.

[PASTE CONTRACT TEXT]

I'm negotiating a [CONTRACT TYPE] on behalf of [CLIENT TYPE]. My priorities are:
1. [PRIORITY 1]
2. [PRIORITY 2]
3. [PRIORITY 3]

The other party has sent a draft. Here are the provisions I'm concerned about:

[PASTE SPECIFIC PROVISIONS]

For each provision, give me:
- My strongest argument for changing it
- The business rationale I should offer (not just legal)
- A proposed compromise position if they won't accept my preferred language
- The walk-away scenario (when to flag this as a deal-breaker vs. a nice-to-have)

My company is signing up for [SOFTWARE/PLATFORM]. Review these terms of service for:
- Data ownership and portability rights
- Liability limitations and whether they're enforceable
- Auto-renewal and cancellation terms
- Data security and breach notification obligations
- IP ownership of any content we create or upload
- Arbitration clauses and class action waivers

Flag anything I should negotiate or decline before signing.

[PASTE TERMS OF SERVICE]

Draft the key provisions of an employment agreement for the following role:

Role: [JOB TITLE]
Compensation: [SALARY/EQUITY STRUCTURE]
State: [STATE]
Key provisions needed: [e.g., non-compete, non-solicit, IP assignment, severance, arbitration]

Draft each provision. For the non-compete specifically, note whether it's likely enforceable in [STATE] and what limitations courts there impose.

Draft an intellectual property assignment clause for a [FREELANCER/CONTRACTOR] agreement. My client is the [HIRING COMPANY]. The contractor will be creating [TYPE OF WORK — e.g., software, marketing materials, product designs].

The clause should:
- Assign all work product and derivatives to my client
- Cover pre-existing IP the contractor brings in (with appropriate carve-out)
- Address moral rights waiver
- Be enforceable in [STATE]

Also draft the contractor's preferred alternative so I know what pushback to expect.

Summarize the following contract for my client, who is a [CLIENT TYPE — e.g., "small business owner with no legal background"].

Focus on:
- What they're agreeing to do
- What the other party is agreeing to do
- Their key risks and obligations
- What happens if things go wrong
- The terms they should pay most attention to

Write in plain English. No legal jargon. Max 500 words.

[PASTE CONTRACT]

I'm going to paste a collection of documents from a [CASE TYPE] matter. Extract and organize the key facts into a chronological timeline. For each event, note:
- Date (or approximate date if unclear)
- What happened
- Which document this comes from
- Any inconsistencies between documents

Flag facts that are disputed or unclear.

[PASTE DOCUMENTS OR EXCERPTS]

I'm writing a [MOTION TYPE — e.g., motion for summary judgment, appellate brief] arguing that [LEGAL CONCLUSION].

The key facts supporting my position are:
[LIST KEY FACTS]

The controlling legal standard is:
[STATE STANDARD]

Map out my argument structure:
- Main argument
- Sub-arguments under each element
- The evidence I'll cite for each point
- The opposing argument I need to preempt and my response

Format as an outline I can use as my brief skeleton.

Here is the argument section of my brief:

[PASTE ARGUMENT]

Play the role of the opposing judge. What are the 3 most likely objections to this argument? For each objection, draft a response I could add to strengthen my brief. Be as critical as possible — I need to find weaknesses before opposing counsel does.

Assess the strengths and weaknesses of the following case from my client's perspective. My client is the [PLAINTIFF/DEFENDANT].

Facts: [SUMMARY OF FACTS]
Claims at issue: [LIST CLAIMS]
Jurisdiction: [JURISDICTION]

Provide:
- Likelihood of success on each claim (strong/moderate/weak with brief rationale)
- The 2–3 biggest vulnerabilities in my client's position
- The 2–3 strongest points in my client's favor
- Key evidence I need to obtain in discovery
- Settlement value range considerations

I'm going to paste a deposition transcript. Identify:
1. All admissions by the witness that support my client's position
2. Any inconsistencies with prior statements or other evidence
3. Areas where the witness was evasive or non-responsive
4. Topics where follow-up is needed at a second deposition or via written discovery

My client's position is: [ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY]

[PASTE TRANSCRIPT EXCERPT]

My expert witness is a [EXPERT TYPE] who will testify about [OPINION TOPIC] in a [CASE TYPE] case. The opposing expert's main position is: [OPPOSING POSITION].

Generate:
- The 10 most likely cross-examination questions opposing counsel will use to attack my expert
- For each question, the most effective response
- Any methodological weaknesses in my expert's approach that I need to address on direct
- Daubert/Frye challenges opposing counsel might raise and how to preempt them

Explain [LEGAL CONCEPT OR DEVELOPMENT] to a client who is a [CLIENT BACKGROUND — e.g., "startup founder with a technical background but no legal training"].

Cover:
- What it means in plain English
- Why it matters for their situation specifically
- What they need to do (if anything)
- What happens if they don't act

Avoid legal jargon. If you must use a legal term, define it immediately. Max 300 words.

Draft a client update email for a [CASE TYPE] matter.

Recent developments: [BULLET LIST OF WHAT HAPPENED THIS WEEK]
Next steps: [WHAT HAPPENS NEXT]
Action items for client: [WHAT YOU NEED FROM THEM]
Timeline: [NEXT KEY DATE OR MILESTONE]

Tone: professional but warm. No legalese. Keep it under 250 words. Don't start with "I hope this email finds you well."

Draft a demand letter on behalf of my client, [CLIENT NAME/TYPE], to [OPPOSING PARTY TYPE].

Facts: [SUMMARY OF FACTS GIVING RISE TO CLAIM]
Legal basis for claim: [CLAIMS — e.g., breach of contract, negligence]
Damages: [AMOUNT OR DESCRIPTION OF DAMAGES]
Demand: [WHAT MY CLIENT WANTS — payment, specific performance, etc.]
Response deadline: [X days]
Jurisdiction: [STATE]

Tone: firm and professional, not aggressive. Make clear that litigation is the next step if they don't respond. Include a reservation of all rights.

Draft a client preparation memo for an upcoming [MEDIATION/SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE] in a [CASE TYPE] matter.

Cover:
- The strengths and weaknesses of our case (in client-friendly language)
- The realistic range of outcomes if we go to trial
- Our settlement goals and walk-away number
- What to expect during the process
- What NOT to say (common mistakes clients make)
- How to present themselves and their story effectively

Keep it practical and honest — no false optimism.

Help me draft an email to a client delivering the following difficult news: [DESCRIBE THE BAD NEWS — e.g., "we lost the motion to dismiss," "the judge excluded our key expert," "opposing counsel found a damaging document in discovery"].

The email should:
- State the news clearly and immediately (don't bury it)
- Explain what it means for the case
- Describe our options going forward
- Set a call to discuss

Tone: honest, not defensive. Don't minimize the bad news but do emphasize what we can do next. Max 300 words.

I need to write billing narrative entries for the following time entries. Make them specific and defensible — they'll be reviewed by clients and potentially by a court in a fee petition.

Time entries (I'll describe what I did, you draft the billing language):
- [X hours]: [BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF WHAT YOU DID]
- [X hours]: [BRIEF DESCRIPTION]
- [X hours]: [BRIEF DESCRIPTION]

Format: past tense, active verbs, specific enough that the client understands the value but not so detailed it reveals strategy. Follow the [FIRM'S BILLING GUIDELINES — e.g., "6-minute increments, no block billing"].

Here are my rough notes from a [CLIENT CALL/TEAM MEETING/DEPOSITION PREP SESSION]:

[PASTE ROUGH NOTES]

Produce a clean summary with:
- Key decisions made
- Action items (who does what by when)
- Open questions to resolve
- Next meeting date/agenda if discussed

Keep it under 300 words. Format for easy scanning.

I'm preparing a fee petition in a [CASE TYPE] matter. Draft narrative language explaining why the following fees are reasonable and necessary:

Total fees: $[AMOUNT]
Hourly rates: [ATTORNEY RATES]
Key tasks performed: [LIST MAJOR WORK PHASES]
Case complexity: [DESCRIBE COMPLEXITY]
Result achieved: [OUTCOME]
Jurisdiction: [JURISDICTION]

The narrative should address the [LODESTAR/JOHNSON FACTORS — specify which standard applies in your jurisdiction] and preempt the most common objections courts raise to fee petitions.