Smarter Week

How to automate it

How to automate “draft letters, pleadings and standard legal documents”

Here are 2 ways to spend less time on this, best first. Each comes with steps you can follow today.

60 min
typically, every day
50%
of the time can be automated
Some setup
to set up

Fix 1 of 2

Software featureBest fix

Build standard legal documents from templates filled from the matter

Clio Draft, Smokeball, HotDocs, Gavel, NetDocuments or simple Word templates fill client and matter details automatically, so you only draft what is unique.

Typically saves about 45% of the time3 h to set up
  1. 1List the ten documents you draft most often.
  2. 2Turn each into a template with fields for parties, dates and matter details.
  3. 3Set them up in your document automation tool or practice management system.
  4. 4Generate from the matter record; review and adjust the unique parts.

Tools: Clio Draft · Smokeball · HotDocs · Gavel · NetDocuments · Microsoft Word templates

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

Quick wins

Have you tried…

Have you used your firm's approved legal AI to summarize documents or draft a first version?
Tools like CoCounsel, Lexis+ AI, Harvey or Clio Manage AI work inside a secure setup and can summarize long documents or draft standard ones. A lawyer still reviews everything.

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.

Paralegal / Legal AssistantAttorney / Lawyer (firm)

HourLeak · the 8-minute work audit

How many hours does this cost you?

The free 8-minute check works out where your week goes and gives you your top fixes. The team scan does the same for everyone and adds it up, so you know which leaks to fix first.

Take the free check Scan my team, $49

Answers are anonymous. Leaders only see team totals.

Other common tasks for Paralegals / Legal Assistants