ChatGPT Prompts for Paralegals: 12 for Case and File Work

ChatGPT prompts for paralegals speed up the organizing work behind every matter: chronologies, exhibit lists, document logs, discovery tracking, and routine correspondence. Work from de-identified summaries in an AI tool your firm approves, ask for Bates cites on every line, and hand the result to the supervising attorney as a draft. The 12 prompts below are grouped by the tasks paralegals do most.

Everything here is a draft for supervising attorney review, not legal advice. Keep privileged and client confidential information out of unapproved tools, and verify every citation yourself, since AI tools can invent case law.

Organize the case file

1. Case chronology

From these document summaries with Bates ranges [paste], build a chronology in [date format]: date, event, Bates cite, and issue tag from [issues]. List undated items separately and do not guess dates.

2. Cast of characters

From these summaries [paste], list every person and entity by placeholder role, what they did, and the Bates cites where they appear. Flag anyone whose role is unclear.

3. File index

Turn this list of files [paste] into a file index for [matter type] with folders for pleadings, correspondence, discovery, and evidence, and flag duplicates or files with no date.

Exhibits and document review

4. Draft exhibit list

From these documents [paste with Bates ranges], draft an exhibit list in [order]: proposed exhibit number, short neutral description, Bates range, and a column for the attorney's decision.

5. Document review log

Set up a review log for [number] documents on [issues]: columns for Bates, date, type, author, recipients, issue codes, and a hot document flag, with coding definitions a second reviewer could follow.

6. Privilege log draft

From these withheld document summaries [paste], draft privilege log entries with date, author, recipients, document type, and a neutral description, leaving the privilege basis column for the attorney to fill in.

Discovery and deadlines

7. Discovery tracker

From these requests and responses [paste], build a tracker: request number, what was asked, response status, objections noted, documents produced, and follow-up needed. Use only the dates I give you.

8. Deposition prep binder outline

For the deposition of [placeholder role] on [topics], outline a prep binder: key documents by Bates, a chronology excerpt, prior statements, and open questions for the attorney.

9. Deadline questions list

For this event [event] in [court], list the questions I must answer to docket the deadlines correctly, such as the governing rules, service method, and local rules. Do not calculate dates; I will verify them in the rules.

Client and court communications

10. Document request letter to the client

Draft a plain-language letter asking the client for [documents], explaining why each is needed and a return date of [date], for attorney approval before sending.

11. Filing checklist

Make a filing checklist for [document type] in [court] from the rules and instructions I paste [paste]: format, attachments, service, fees, and confirmation steps.

12. Matter status summary

From these notes [paste], write a one-page status summary for the supervising attorney: recent events with dates, upcoming deadlines I have docketed, open tasks, and questions.

Build a chronology and exhibit list in one prompt

The flagship Paralegal Prompt: Case Chronology and Exhibit List From Docs takes a matter summary with placeholders, document summaries with Bates ranges, key issues, a date format, and the attorney's questions, and returns a chronology, conflicts, gaps, a draft exhibit list, and a QC checklist. Its example organizes a commercial lease dispute into 6 draft exhibits.

Use AI within professional rules

This content is not legal advice, and every output is a draft for the supervising attorney. Keep client confidential information out of public AI tools, use your firm's approved tools, and never rely on AI for case citations, rules, or deadline math without checking official sources such as Westlaw, Lexis, or the court's rules.

Related prompts

For deadline work, see the federal litigation deadline docketing calculator. For research support, use the legal research plan prompt and ChatGPT prompts for legal research. For contract work, try the contract clause table prompt, and for the attorney side, browse ChatGPT prompts for lawyers.

For drafting work see ChatGPT prompts for legal documents, contract drafting, and contract review.

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