Write a plain-English matter update letter for a client
A periodic client update on where their case or deal stands, what is next, expected costs, and any decisions they need to make.
The prompt
Write a status update to a client about their legal matter.
Client and their sophistication: [e.g. "individual, first time with a lawyer" / "in-house general counsel"]
Matter: [TYPE AND SHORT DESCRIPTION]
What happened since the last update: [EVENTS, FILINGS, CALLS, DOCUMENTS RECEIVED]
Upcoming dates: [HEARINGS, DEADLINES, CLOSING DATES]
Decisions the client needs to make: [e.g. "whether to accept mediation" - or "none"]
Fees billed to date vs. estimate: [NUMBERS - or "skip"]
Anything they will not like hearing: [SETBACKS, DELAYS, COST OVERRUNS]
Structure:
1. Bottom line in two sentences: where things stand and whether anything changed.
2. What happened, in plain language; explain any legal term the first time you use it.
3. What comes next, with dates in bold, and what the client needs to do and by when.
4. Decisions needed, with the options and the practical trade-offs. Do not choose for them; say the attorney will discuss a recommendation.
5. Budget: spend so far against the estimate and any expected change.
6. How to reach us.
Rules: give bad news early and plainly. Do not predict outcomes or use percentages of success. Do not invent facts, dates, or amounts; use [CONFIRM]. Keep it under 400 words. Note that sending this by unencrypted email or to a work account the client's employer can access may risk privilege; remind me to confirm the client's preferred secure channel. Have the responsible attorney review before sending.
Highlighted [brackets] are blanks to replace with your own details.
Fill in the blanks and use this promptMore Email & Workplace Communication prompts
What to fill in
- TYPE AND SHORT DESCRIPTION
- EVENTS, FILINGS, CALLS, DOCUMENTS RECEIVED
- HEARINGS, DEADLINES, CLOSING DATES
- e.g. "whether to accept mediation" - or "none"
- NUMBERS - or "skip"
- SETBACKS, DELAYS, COST OVERRUNS
- CONFIRM
How this prompt is built
This prompt follows the Few-Shot structure (Few-shot prompting). A few-shot prompt includes one or more worked examples of the input and the output you want, so the model can copy the pattern instead of guessing it.
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