Smarter Week

How to automate it

How to automate “answer quick legal questions from the business”

Here are 2 ways to spend less time on this, best first. Each comes with steps you can follow today and, for AI fixes, a prompt to copy.

20 min
typically, every day
45%
of the time can be automated
Some setup
to set up

Fix 1 of 2

Software featureBest fix

Put one front door on legal requests

A single intake form or legal queue, with the questions you always ask, replaces requests by email, chat and hallway, and shows what is waiting.

Typically saves about 35% of the time2 h to set up
  1. 1List your request types (NDA, contract review, quick question, dispute).
  2. 2Build an intake form in your CLM (Ironclad, Juro), Jira Service Management, a Slack or Teams workflow, or Microsoft Forms.
  3. 3Ask for the basics up front: counterparty, value, deadline, contract attached.
  4. 4Publish turnaround times by request type.

Tools: Ironclad or Juro intake · Jira Service Management · Slack Workflow Builder or Microsoft Forms · Checkbox or Tonkean

Fix 2 of 2

AI

Give the business a guidance assistant for routine legal questions

Load your approved guidance (signing authority, NDA rules, marketing claims, data sharing) into an internal assistant so routine questions get an instant answer and real legal issues come to you.

Typically saves about 35% of the time3 h to set up
  1. 1Write short guidance on the 15 questions you get most.
  2. 2Load it into a Copilot agent, Claude Project, ChatGPT Project or Gemini Gem limited to your company.
  3. 3Use the instructions below and test with real past questions.
  4. 4Review a sample of conversations monthly.
Prompt to copy
You help employees of [COMPANY] with routine questions using only the attached legal guidance. Answer briefly and link the section used. If the question involves a dispute, a regulator, a threatened claim, an employee issue, personal data of customers, or anything not covered in the guidance, say: "This needs a lawyer. Please submit it at [INTAKE LINK]." Never draft contract language or give legal advice beyond the guidance.

Tools: Microsoft Copilot agents · Claude Projects · ChatGPT Projects · Gemini Gems

Who does this task

Roles in our library that list this as one of their common tasks. Each guide covers the rest of that role’s week.

In-house counselContract manager

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Other common tasks for In-house counsel