Smarter Week

How to automate it

How to automate “prepare for depositions, hearings and meetings from the file”

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.

120 min
typically, once a week
45%
of the time can be automated
Some setup
to set up

Fix 1 of 2

AIBest fix

Have an approved AI build a summary, timeline or issues list

For long records or contracts, an approved AI produces a first-pass summary with page references, which you check instead of starting from scratch.

Typically saves about 45% of the time5 min to set up
  1. 1Confirm the AI tool is approved for client confidential material.
  2. 2Upload the documents.
  3. 3Use the prompt below and ask for page or section references.
  4. 4Check each key point against the source before relying on it.
Prompt to copy
Review the attached [CONTRACTS / RECORDS / DOCUMENTS] for [MATTER OR PURPOSE]. Give me: 1) a one-paragraph summary, 2) a timeline of key dates and events, 3) a table of [KEY TERMS: parties, term, payment, termination, liability, renewal], 4) anything unusual or missing compared with [STANDARD OR CHECKLIST]. Cite the page or section for every point. If something is not in the documents, say so.

Tools: Firm-approved AI: Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT Business or Enterprise, Claude Team or Enterprise, or Gemini in Google Workspace

Fix 2 of 2

Software feature

Use your firm's approved legal AI to review, summarize and draft

Legal AI tools such as CoCounsel, Harvey, Lexis+ AI, Spellbook and Clio Manage AI summarize documents, pull out key terms and draft first versions inside a secure, firm-approved setup. A lawyer must review all output.

Typically saves about 40% of the time30 min to set up
  1. 1Check which legal AI your firm has approved; do not paste client material into consumer AI.
  2. 2Upload the documents and ask for a summary, timeline or clause list.
  3. 3Use it for first drafts of standard documents and correspondence.
  4. 4Verify every citation, quote and fact against the source before it goes to a lawyer or client.

Tools: Thomson Reuters CoCounsel Legal · Harvey · Lexis+ AI · Spellbook · Clio Manage AI

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.

Attorney / Lawyer (firm)

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Other common tasks for Attorney / Lawyers (firm)