ChatGPT Prompts for Legal Writing: 12 for Memos and Briefs

ChatGPT prompts for legal writing help most with structure and clarity: turning your verified research into a memo outline, drafting a CREAC discussion, tightening a brief, or rewriting a clause in plain language for a client. They should never be your source of law. Paste the authorities you have already checked, tell the model to use only those, and verify every citation before anything leaves your desk. Below are 12 copy-paste legal writing prompts, plus a flagship prompt that drafts an objective memo from your research notes.

This is not legal advice, and a licensed lawyer must review every draft. Courts have sanctioned filings that cited cases an AI made up, so check every citation in Westlaw, Lexis, or official sources, and only use client information in tools your firm approves.

Prompts for memos

1. Question presented and brief answer

From these facts: [facts] and this issue: [issue], write a one sentence question presented and a brief answer (probably yes, probably no, or unclear) with a short reason.

2. Memo outline from research

Here are my verified research notes: [authorities with rules and pin cites]. Build a memo outline with one heading per element and the authorities that support each. Use only the authorities I gave you.

3. CREAC discussion

Draft the discussion for [element] in CREAC order using only [authorities and facts]. Mark any sentence of law without an authority as [NEEDS AUTHORITY].

Prompts for briefs and motions

4. Point headings

Write persuasive point headings for a [motion type] arguing [position], one per argument, each a full sentence that states the conclusion and the key reason.

5. Statement of facts

Write a statement of facts from these record excerpts: [excerpts with cites]. Favor our client through order and emphasis, but keep every fact accurate and cited to the record.

6. Counterargument section

Here is our argument: [argument]. List the strongest responses the other side will make and draft a short rebuttal to each using only [authorities].

Prompts for plain language and clients

7. Plain language rewrite

Rewrite this clause in plain English for a client with no legal training: [clause]. Keep the meaning the same and list any terms you could not simplify without changing the meaning.

8. Client update letter

Write a short client letter explaining [development] in [matter]: what happened, what it means for them, the options, and what we need from them, in plain words.

9. Executive summary

Summarize this memo: [memo] in five bullet points for a business client who will read only this page. Keep every conclusion as hedged as the memo is.

Prompts for editing and checking

10. Line edit for concision

Edit this section: [text] for concision. Cut throat clearing, nominalizations, and passive voice where it hides the actor. Show the edited text, then a list of changes.

11. Citation check list

List every citation in this draft: [draft] with the proposition it supports, so I can confirm each pin cite and that each authority is still good law. Do not add or correct any citation yourself.

12. Consistency check

Check this draft: [draft] for defined terms used inconsistently, party names that change, dates that conflict, and headings that do not match the argument under them.

Draft an objective memo in one prompt

The Legal Writing Prompt: Memo Draft From Your Research Notes combines prompts 1, 2, 3, 6, and 11. Paste the assigned question, jurisdiction, file facts, your verified research notes, open issues, and style rules. It returns a question presented, a brief answer, a statement of facts, a CREAC discussion for each element, counterarguments, a citation check list, and next steps. The example works through a commercial tenant's constructive eviction question and flags the gaps in the research.

Starting earlier in a matter? Organize a new client's facts with the Lawyer Prompt: New Client Intake to Case Assessment Memo, or pull key terms from an agreement with the Document Review Prompt: Contract Clause Table and Red Flags.

Tips for legal writing with ChatGPT

• Paste the law you found. Never ask the model to find or quote cases for you.
• Ask it to flag every sentence of law without an authority.
• Keep the memo objective; save persuasion for the brief.
• Read the final draft against the record yourself before it is filed or sent.

Related prompts and guides

See daily practice prompts in ChatGPT Prompts for Lawyers and review contracts with ChatGPT Prompts for Document Review. Find more in the Legal prompts hub, browse all prompts, or share a prompt that improves your drafts.