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How a lawyer can use AI, task by task

O*NET 23-1011.00: LawyersMedian pay $159,670/year (BLS, May 2025)22 tasksJob Zone 5: Extensive preparation

Represent clients in criminal and civil litigation and other legal proceedings, draw up legal documents, or manage or advise clients on legal transactions. May specialize in a single area or may practice broadly in many areas of law.

Your job title Type your own title and every prompt on this page updates to match. Also called: Attorney, Attorney at Law, Attorney General, Counsel, County Attorney, District Attorney, General Counsel, Lawyer, Prosecuting Attorney, Prosecutor.

Where AI fits in this job

AI-ready 13%AI-assist 52%Stays human 35%

Share of the job's tasks, weighted by how important and how frequent each task is (O*NET ratings). 3 AI-ready, 10 AI-assist and 9 human-led tasks out of 22. This measures where AI can help, not whether the job will disappear.

Information & paperwork

Thinking & planning

People & communication

Leading & teaching

Hands-on & physical

Shape of the job: importance of each kind of work activity (O*NET, 1 to 5).

🗓 Start here on Monday

The most frequent, most important tasks where AI can help right away.

Interpret laws, rulings and regulations for individuals and businesses.Explain it clearly · Daily
Analyze the probable outcomes of cases, using knowledge of legal precedents.Look into it · Daily
Prepare, draft, and review legal documents, such as wills, deeds, patent applications, mortgages, leases, and contracts.Write it up · Weekly

💪 Lean into these

Core tasks that stay human. These skills get more valuable as the routine work gets automated.

Supervise legal assistants.Lead people · Daily
Confer with colleagues with specialties in appropriate areas of legal issue to establish and verify bases for legal proceedings.Be there for people · Weekly
Represent clients in court or before government agencies.Be there for people · Weekly

Skills to build & where you could move ↓

🔒 Many of these tasks involve people's information. Remove names and identifying details before using AI, or use only a tool your employer has approved.

AI can draft these 3

AI produces a usable first pass. You review it, fix it and own it.

Prepare, draft, and review legal documents, such as wills, deeds, patent applications, mortgages, leases, and contracts.

Weekly

AI writes the first draft from your notes; you check every fact.

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 40% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person.

Show prompt & steps

Give AI your rough notes, numbers or last version and it will turn them into a clean, well-structured first draft. You check every fact and figure before it goes anywhere.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a lawyer. Part of my job is to prepare, draft, and review legal documents, such as wills, deeds, patent applications, mortgages, leases, and contracts.

Context: We use Adobe Acrobat and AbacusNext HotDocs.
Document: [will, deed, brief, contract]
Facts and instructions: [paste, no client names]

Draft a structure and first draft, marking every legal point to verify with [CHECK]. Use plain language and headings where they help, and mark anything you had to guess with [CHECK].

10-minute exercise: Legal document first draft

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you prepare, draft, and review legal documents (this week).

Step 2Fill in [Document] and [Facts and instructions] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3A lawyer must review and verify every citation and clause. Confirm the rules against the current official source.

AI will happily make up numbers, names and dates. Every fact in the draft needs checking against your source.

Rules and regulations vary by place and change often. Confirm against the official source before relying on anything.

Importance 4.2/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Prepare legal documents..

Perform administrative and management functions related to the practice of law.

Weekly

AI handles forms, records and routine paperwork for you to verify.

Show prompt & steps

Forms, records, data entry, scheduling and routine paperwork are where AI saves the most time. It drafts, sorts, extracts and reformats while you verify.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a lawyer. Part of my job is to perform administrative and management functions related to the practice of law.

Context: We use SAP software and Adobe Acrobat.
Tasks: [list]
Deadlines: [describe]

Organize into a prioritized checklist and templates. Point out anything missing or inconsistent and suggest a template I can reuse.

10-minute exercise: Admin task organizer

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you perform administrative and management functions (this week).

Step 2Fill in [Tasks] and [Deadlines] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Save the template and use it on the next one. Time both. Confirm the rules against the current official source.

Personal, financial and health data shouldn't go into AI tools unless your employer has approved one for it.

Rules and regulations vary by place and change often. Confirm against the official source before relying on anything.

Importance 3.6/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Perform administrative or clerical tasks.. Also involves: Manage operations, research, or logistics projects.; Direct organizational operations, projects, or services..

Prepare legal briefs and opinions, and file appeals in state and federal courts of appeal.

Monthly

AI writes the first draft from your notes; you check every fact.

Show prompt & steps

Give AI your rough notes, numbers or last version and it will turn them into a clean, well-structured first draft. You check every fact and figure before it goes anywhere.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a lawyer. Part of my job is to prepare legal briefs and opinions, and file appeals in state and federal courts of appeal.

Context: We use Adobe Acrobat and AbacusNext HotDocs.
Document: [will, deed, brief, contract]
Facts and instructions: [paste, no client names]

Draft a structure and first draft, marking every legal point to verify with [CHECK]. Use plain language and headings where they help, and mark anything you had to guess with [CHECK].

10-minute exercise: Legal document first draft

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you prepare legal briefs and opinions.

Step 2Fill in [Document] and [Facts and instructions] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3A lawyer must review and verify every citation and clause. Confirm the rules against the current official source.

AI will happily make up numbers, names and dates. Every fact in the draft needs checking against your source.

Rules and regulations vary by place and change often. Confirm against the official source before relying on anything.

Importance 3.9/5 · O*NET work activity: Prepare legal documents.. Also involves: Prepare documentation of legal proceedings..

AI can help you prep these 10

AI speeds up the prep, drafting or thinking. The core of the task is still yours.

Interpret laws, rulings and regulations for individuals and businesses.

Daily

AI helps you prepare clearer wording and likely questions.

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 25% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person.

Show prompt & steps

Use AI to prepare: simpler wording, analogies, likely questions and a one-page handout. The conversation itself is yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a lawyer. Part of my job is to interpret laws, rulings and regulations for individuals and businesses.

Context: We use Fastcase legal software and Legal Files software; the work draws on law and government, communications and media and customer and personal service.
Question: [client's issue, no names]
Law: [area, jurisdiction]

Organize the issues, likely options and questions to research. A lawyer gives the advice. Use plain language, one everyday analogy, and the questions people are most likely to ask with short answers.

10-minute exercise: Legal advice prep

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you interpret laws and rulings and regulations (today).

Step 2Fill in [Question] and [Law] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Check every answer is right for your workplace before you share it. Confirm the rules against the current official source.

Rules, prices and policies change. Make sure AI is working from your current official version.

Rules and regulations vary by place and change often. Confirm against the official source before relying on anything.

Importance 4.5/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Provide legal advice to clients..

Analyze the probable outcomes of cases, using knowledge of legal precedents.

Daily

AI gets you up to speed; confirm findings with records or people.

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 35% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person.

Show prompt & steps

AI can get you up to speed fast and suggest where to look, but you need to confirm findings against real sources, records or people.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a lawyer. Part of my job is to analyze the probable outcomes of cases, using knowledge of legal precedents.

Context: We use Fastcase legal software and LexisNexis; the work draws on law and government, communications and media and customer and personal service.
Facts: [key facts, no names]
Jurisdiction and issue: [where, legal question]

Outline relevant precedents and statutes to look up, how each might apply, likely outcomes and risks. I will verify every authority.

10-minute exercise: Assess a case from precedent

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you analyze the probable outcomes of cases (today).

Step 2Fill in [Facts] and [Jurisdiction and issue] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Look up every case it names. Discard any you can't find. Confirm the rules against the current official source.

AI can invent sources and citations. Open every link and confirm it says what the AI claims.

Rules and regulations vary by place and change often. Confirm against the official source before relying on anything.

Importance 4.4/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Identify implications for cases from legal precedents or other legal information..

Advise clients concerning business transactions, claim liability, advisability of prosecuting or defending lawsuits, or legal rights and obligations.

Weekly

AI helps you prepare clearer wording and likely questions.

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 35% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person.

Show prompt & steps

Use AI to prepare: simpler wording, analogies, likely questions and a one-page handout. The conversation itself is yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a lawyer. Part of my job is to advise clients concerning business transactions, claim liability, advisability of prosecuting or defending lawsuits, or legal rights and obligations.

Context: We use Fastcase legal software and Legal Files software; the work draws on law and government, communications and media and customer and personal service.
Question: [client's issue, no names]
Law: [area, jurisdiction]

Organize the issues, likely options and questions to research. A lawyer gives the advice. Use plain language, one everyday analogy, and the questions people are most likely to ask with short answers.

10-minute exercise: Legal advice prep

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you advise clients concerning business transactions (this week). Leave out names and identifying details.

Step 2Fill in [Question] and [Law] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Check every answer is right for your workplace before you share it. Confirm the rules against the current official source.

Rules, prices and policies change. Make sure AI is working from your current official version.

Rules and regulations vary by place and change often. Confirm against the official source before relying on anything.

Importance 4.3/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Provide legal advice to clients..

Gather evidence to formulate defense or to initiate legal actions by such means as interviewing clients and witnesses to ascertain the facts of a case.

Weekly

AI helps you prepare questions; the listening is yours.

Show prompt & steps

Use AI to prepare better questions and to organize your notes afterward. Listening to the person in front of you is yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a lawyer. Part of my job is to gather evidence to formulate defense or to initiate legal actions by such means as interviewing clients and witnesses to ascertain the facts of a case.

Context: We use Fastcase legal software and Legal Files software; the work draws on law and government, communications and media and customer and personal service.
Matter: [claim or case type]
Person: [claimant, witness, party]

Write questions to establish facts, timeline and documents, plus follow-ups and cautions. Order the questions sensibly, add follow-ups for vague answers, and give me a note-taking template.

10-minute exercise: Interview for a legal matter

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you gather evidence (this week). Leave out names and identifying details.

Step 2Fill in [Matter] and [Person] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Review the questions with your supervising attorney. Confirm the rules against the current official source.

Don't record people or paste their answers into AI without consent and your employer's approval.

Rules and regulations vary by place and change often. Confirm against the official source before relying on anything.

Importance 4.4/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Interview claimants to get information related to legal proceedings..

Examine legal data to determine advisability of defending or prosecuting lawsuit.

Weekly

AI gets you up to speed; confirm findings with records or people.

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 49% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person.

Show prompt & steps

AI can get you up to speed fast and suggest where to look, but you need to confirm findings against real sources, records or people.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a lawyer. Part of my job is to examine legal data to determine advisability of defending or prosecuting lawsuit.

Context: We use Fastcase legal software and LexisNexis; the work draws on law and government, communications and media and customer and personal service.
Facts: [key facts, no names]
Jurisdiction and issue: [where, legal question]

Outline relevant precedents and statutes to look up, how each might apply, likely outcomes and risks. I will verify every authority.

10-minute exercise: Assess a case from precedent

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you examine legal data to determine advisability (this week).

Step 2Fill in [Facts] and [Jurisdiction and issue] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Look up every case it names. Discard any you can't find. Confirm the rules against the current official source.

AI can invent sources and citations. Open every link and confirm it says what the AI claims.

Rules and regulations vary by place and change often. Confirm against the official source before relying on anything.

Importance 4.2/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Identify implications for cases from legal precedents or other legal information.. Also involves: Research relevant legal materials to aid decision making..

Study Constitution, statutes, decisions, regulations, and ordinances of quasi-judicial bodies to determine ramifications for cases.

Weekly

AI gets you up to speed; confirm findings with records or people.

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 36% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person.

Show prompt & steps

AI can get you up to speed fast and suggest where to look, but you need to confirm findings against real sources, records or people.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a lawyer. Part of my job is to study Constitution, statutes, decisions, regulations, and ordinances of quasi-judicial bodies to determine ramifications for cases.

Context: We use Fastcase legal software and LexisNexis; the work draws on law and government, communications and media and customer and personal service.
Legal question: [the question, jurisdiction]
Facts: [key facts, no names]

Outline the relevant statutes, regulations and leading cases to look up, the arguments on each side, and search terms for legal databases. Mark anything you're unsure of. I will verify every citation.

10-minute exercise: Legal research brief

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you study Constitution, statutes and decisions (this week).

Step 2Fill in [Legal question] and [Facts] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Look up every citation it gives in your legal database. AI can invent cases. Confirm the rules against the current official source.

AI can invent sources and citations. Open every link and confirm it says what the AI claims.

Rules and regulations vary by place and change often. Confirm against the official source before relying on anything.

Importance 4.0/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Research relevant legal materials to aid decision making.. Also involves: Identify implications for cases from legal precedents or other legal information..

Negotiate contractual agreements.

Weekly

AI preps talking points and practice; the relationship is yours.

Show prompt & steps

AI preps you: talking points, objection handling, tailored outreach and negotiation scenarios. The relationship and reading the room are yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a lawyer. Part of my job is to negotiate contractual agreements.

Context: The work draws on law and government, communications and media and customer and personal service.
Item: [collection, contract]
Goals: [price, terms]

Prepare and role-play. Keep claims honest, list likely objections with responses, and role-play the other side so I can practice.

10-minute exercise: Purchase negotiation

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you negotiate contractual agreements (this week).

Step 2Fill in [Item] and [Goals] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Ask for feedback on your answers and write down your best line for the real conversation. Confirm the rules against the current official source.

Make sure every claim AI writes about your product is true and allowed. Over-promising is on you.

Rules and regulations vary by place and change often. Confirm against the official source before relying on anything.

Importance 3.9/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Negotiate purchases or contracts.. Also involves: Negotiate contracts with clients or service providers..

Evaluate findings and develop strategies and arguments in preparation for presentation of cases.

Weekly

AI gets you up to speed; confirm findings with records or people.

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 38% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person.

Show prompt & steps

AI can get you up to speed fast and suggest where to look, but you need to confirm findings against real sources, records or people.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a lawyer. Part of my job is to evaluate findings and develop strategies and arguments in preparation for presentation of cases.

Context: We use Fastcase legal software and LexisNexis; the work draws on law and government, communications and media and customer and personal service.
Facts: [key facts, no names]
Jurisdiction and issue: [where, legal question]

Outline relevant precedents and statutes to look up, how each might apply, likely outcomes and risks. I will verify every authority.

10-minute exercise: Assess a case from precedent

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you evaluate findings (this week).

Step 2Fill in [Facts] and [Jurisdiction and issue] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Look up every case it names. Discard any you can't find.

AI can invent sources and citations. Open every link and confirm it says what the AI claims.

Importance 4.3/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Identify implications for cases from legal precedents or other legal information..

Search for and examine public and other legal records to write opinions or establish ownership.

Weekly

AI gets you up to speed; confirm findings with records or people.

Show prompt & steps

AI can get you up to speed fast and suggest where to look, but you need to confirm findings against real sources, records or people.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a lawyer. Part of my job is to search for and examine public and other legal records to write opinions or establish ownership.

Context: We use LexisNexis and Thomson Reuters Westlaw; the work draws on law and government, communications and media and customer and personal service.
Records: [describe or paste the public or personal records, private details removed]
Issue to assess: [ownership, compliance, liability]

Summarize what the records establish, inconsistencies, issues needing follow-up, and the legal questions to research. Note what a professional must verify.

10-minute exercise: Review records for legal issues

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you search for examine public and other legal records (this week).

Step 2Paste or describe it in [Records] and state the [Issue to assess].

Step 3Check each issue it raises against the actual records and law. Confirm the rules against the current official source.

AI can invent sources and citations. Open every link and confirm it says what the AI claims.

Rules and regulations vary by place and change often. Confirm against the official source before relying on anything.

Importance 3.7/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Evaluate information related to legal matters in public or personal records..

Help develop federal and state programs, draft and interpret laws and legislation, and establish enforcement procedures.

Weekly

AI drafts the structure and wording; the specifics and sign-off are yours.

Show prompt & steps

AI can draft the structure and standard wording. The specifics, the judgment calls and the sign-off are yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a lawyer. Part of my job is to help develop federal and state programs, draft and interpret laws and legislation, and establish enforcement procedures.

Context: We use Adobe Acrobat and AbacusNext HotDocs.
Purpose: [what the measure should do]
Context: [existing laws, jurisdiction]

Draft plain-language provisions with definitions, then list legal questions for counsel. Use plain language and headings where they help, and mark anything you had to guess with [CHECK].

10-minute exercise: Legislation or bylaw draft

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you help develop federal and state programs (this week).

Step 2Fill in [Purpose] and [Context] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Check every fact, name and number against your source before it goes anywhere. Confirm the rules against the current official source.

AI will happily make up numbers, names and dates. Every fact in the draft needs checking against your source.

Rules and regulations vary by place and change often. Confirm against the official source before relying on anything.

Importance 3.5/5 · O*NET work activity: Draft legislation or regulations..

These stay human 9

They need your hands, your presence or your accountable judgment. Lean into them: they get more valuable as routine work is automated.

📏 Measured in this job (O*NET work context): Contact with others: constant contact with others · Impact of decisions: important results · Face-to-face discussions: once a week or more but not every day · Frequency of decisions: once a week or more but not every day

Supervise legal assistants.

Daily

Leading people runs on trust. AI can prep the paperwork around it.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI can prep the paperwork around leading: meeting agendas, feedback drafts, rotas, briefings and difficult-conversation rehearsals.

Prep prompt

I work as a lawyer. Part of my job is to supervise legal assistants.

Context: The work draws on law and government, communications and media and customer and personal service.
Team: [assistants, clerks, volunteers]
Work: [describe]

Help me prepare: the key message in 2 sentences, what good looks like, how people might react and how I'll respond, and one thing I'll check next week.

10-minute exercise: Supervising legal staff

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you supervise legal assistants (today).

Step 2Fill in [Team] and [Work] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Afterward, note one thing people responded to and one thing you'd change. Confirm the rules against the current official source.

Rules and regulations vary by place and change often. Confirm against the official source before relying on anything.

Importance 4.0/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Supervise activities of other legal personnel..

Confer with colleagues with specialties in appropriate areas of legal issue to establish and verify bases for legal proceedings.

Weekly

Human connection. Use AI only before and after, to prepare.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: Use AI before and after, not during. Prepare talking points, practise a hard conversation, or turn your notes into a follow-up.

Prep prompt

I work as a lawyer. Part of my job is to confer with colleagues with specialties in appropriate areas of legal issue to establish and verify bases for legal proceedings.

Context: The work draws on law and government, communications and media and customer and personal service.
Matter: [claim, case; no names]
Who: [counsel, colleagues]

Prepare issues to clarify and documents to bring. Then play the other party. Suggest ways to open, phrases to avoid, and how to handle it if things get tense. Then play the other person so I can practice.

10-minute exercise: Legal process meeting prep

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you confer with colleagues (this week).

Step 2Fill in [Matter] and [Who] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3After the real conversation, write down what worked so you can reuse it. Confirm the rules against the current official source.

Rules and regulations vary by place and change often. Confirm against the official source before relying on anything.

Importance 3.8/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Meet with individuals involved in legal processes to provide information and clarify issues..

Represent clients in court or before government agencies.

Weekly

Human connection. Use AI only before and after, to prepare.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: Use AI before and after, not during. Prepare talking points, practise a hard conversation, or turn your notes into a follow-up.

Prep prompt

I work as a lawyer. Part of my job is to represent clients in court or before government agencies.

Context: The work draws on law and government, communications and media and customer and personal service.
Matter: [tax, land development, case]
Client's position: [summary]

Prepare arguments, anticipated objections and responses. Then play the other side. Suggest ways to open, phrases to avoid, and how to handle it if things get tense. Then play the other person so I can practice.

10-minute exercise: Representing a client

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you represent clients (this week). Leave out names and identifying details.

Step 2Fill in [Matter] and [Client's position] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3After the real conversation, write down what worked so you can reuse it. Confirm the rules against the current official source.

Rules and regulations vary by place and change often. Confirm against the official source before relying on anything.

Importance 4.3/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Represent the interests of clients in legal proceedings..

Present and summarize cases to judges and juries.

Weekly

Human connection. Use AI only before and after, to prepare.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: Use AI before and after, not during. Prepare talking points, practise a hard conversation, or turn your notes into a follow-up.

Prep prompt

I work as a lawyer. Part of my job is to present and summarize cases to judges and juries.

Context: The work draws on law and government, communications and media and customer and personal service.
Matter: [tax, land development, case]
Client's position: [summary]

Prepare arguments, anticipated objections and responses. Then play the other side. Suggest ways to open, phrases to avoid, and how to handle it if things get tense. Then play the other person so I can practice.

10-minute exercise: Representing a client

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you present and summarize cases (this week).

Step 2Fill in [Matter] and [Client's position] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3After the real conversation, write down what worked so you can reuse it.

Importance 4.4/5 · O*NET work activity: Represent the interests of clients in legal proceedings..

Present evidence to defend clients or prosecute defendants in criminal or civil litigation.

Weekly

Human connection. Use AI only before and after, to prepare.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: Use AI before and after, not during. Prepare talking points, practise a hard conversation, or turn your notes into a follow-up.

Prep prompt

I work as a lawyer. Part of my job is to present evidence to defend clients or prosecute defendants in criminal or civil litigation.

Context: The work draws on law and government, communications and media and customer and personal service.
Matter: [tax, land development, case]
Client's position: [summary]

Prepare arguments, anticipated objections and responses. Then play the other side. Suggest ways to open, phrases to avoid, and how to handle it if things get tense. Then play the other person so I can practice.

10-minute exercise: Representing a client

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you present evidence (this week). Leave out names and identifying details.

Step 2Fill in [Matter] and [Client's position] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3After the real conversation, write down what worked so you can reuse it.

Importance 4.3/5 · O*NET work activity: Represent the interests of clients in legal proceedings..

Negotiate settlements of civil disputes.

Monthly

Human connection. Use AI only before and after, to prepare.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: Use AI before and after, not during. Prepare talking points, practise a hard conversation, or turn your notes into a follow-up.

Prep prompt

I work as a lawyer. Part of my job is to negotiate settlements of civil disputes.

Context: The work draws on law and government, communications and media and customer and personal service.
Dispute: [type, no names]
Positions: [summary]

Prepare questions, interests behind positions and settlement options. Then play a party. Suggest ways to open, phrases to avoid, and how to handle it if things get tense. Then play the other person so I can practice.

10-minute exercise: Mediation or arbitration prep

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you negotiate settlements of civil disputes.

Step 2Fill in [Dispute] and [Positions] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3After the real conversation, write down what worked so you can reuse it.

Importance 4.0/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Arbitrate disputes between parties to resolve legal conflicts..

Probate wills and represent and advise executors and administrators of estates.

Weekly

Human connection. Use AI only before and after, to prepare.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: Use AI before and after, not during. Prepare talking points, practise a hard conversation, or turn your notes into a follow-up.

Prep prompt

I work as a lawyer. Part of my job is to probate wills and represent and advise executors and administrators of estates.

Context: The work draws on law and government, communications and media and customer and personal service.
Matter: [tax, land development, case]
Client's position: [summary]

Prepare arguments, anticipated objections and responses. Then play the other side. Suggest ways to open, phrases to avoid, and how to handle it if things get tense. Then play the other person so I can practice.

10-minute exercise: Representing a client

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you probate wills (this week).

Step 2Fill in [Matter] and [Client's position] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3After the real conversation, write down what worked so you can reuse it.

Importance 3.9/5 · O*NET work activity: Represent the interests of clients in legal proceedings.. Also involves: Provide legal advice to clients..

Select jurors, argue motions, meet with judges, and question witnesses during the course of a trial.

Monthly

Human connection. Use AI only before and after, to prepare.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: Use AI before and after, not during. Prepare talking points, practise a hard conversation, or turn your notes into a follow-up.

Prep prompt

I work as a lawyer. Part of my job is to select jurors, argue motions, meet with judges, and question witnesses during the course of a trial.

Context: The work draws on law and government, communications and media and customer and personal service.
Matter: [claim, case; no names]
Who: [counsel, colleagues]

Prepare issues to clarify and documents to bring. Then play the other party. Suggest ways to open, phrases to avoid, and how to handle it if things get tense. Then play the other person so I can practice.

10-minute exercise: Legal process meeting prep

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you select jurors and argue motions.

Step 2Fill in [Matter] and [Who] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3After the real conversation, write down what worked so you can reuse it.

Importance 4.3/5 · O*NET work activity: Meet with individuals involved in legal processes to provide information and clarify issues.. Also involves: Interview claimants to get information related to legal proceedings.; Represent the interests of clients in legal proceedings..

Act as agent, trustee, guardian, or executor for businesses or individuals.

Monthly

Human connection. Use AI only before and after, to prepare.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: Use AI before and after, not during. Prepare talking points, practise a hard conversation, or turn your notes into a follow-up.

Prep prompt

I work as a lawyer. Part of my job is to act as agent, trustee, guardian, or executor for businesses or individuals.

Context: The work draws on law and government, communications and media and customer and personal service.
Matter: [tax, land development, case]
Client's position: [summary]

Prepare arguments, anticipated objections and responses. Then play the other side. Suggest ways to open, phrases to avoid, and how to handle it if things get tense. Then play the other person so I can practice.

10-minute exercise: Representing a client

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you act as agent, trustee, guardian, or executor.

Step 2Fill in [Matter] and [Client's position] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3After the real conversation, write down what worked so you can reuse it.

Importance 3.7/5 · O*NET work activity: Represent the interests of clients in legal proceedings..

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Your next moves

Skills to build

From O*NET's ratings of how important each skill is in this job, matched to which part of the work it supports.

Stays human Deepen these

They power the human-led work, which is the part of the job AI can't take over.

Speakingimportance 4.6/5
Used in: Communicating with People Outside the Organization
Active Listeningimportance 4.5/5
Used in: Communicating with People Outside the Organization
Writingimportance 4.2/5
Used in: Communicating with People Outside the Organization
Persuasionimportance 4.0/5
Used in: Communicating with People Outside the Organization

With AI Use these to work with AI

When AI does the first draft, these are the skills you use to brief it and check what comes back.

Critical Thinkingimportance 4.5/5
Used in: Analyzing Data or Information
Reading Comprehensionimportance 4.5/5
Used in: Analyzing Data or Information
Coordinationimportance 3.5/5
Used in: Providing Consultation and Advice to Others
Monitoringimportance 3.4/5
Used in: Providing Consultation and Advice to Others

Where you could move

Related jobs from O*NET with the closest skill profile, favouring ones where more of the work stays human. No step down in preparation.

Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates78% human-led · Same preparation · $153,990/yr · usually doctoral degree
Skills to build: Active Listening, Complex Problem Solving, Critical Thinking

Getting into this job

Doctoral degree is most common (77% of workers)

Graduate degree 100%

On-the-job training: 6–12 months
Related experience: 2–4 years
Professional certification: important (4.3/5)

What workers in this job report, from O*NET surveys (typical values).

Software in this job

In-demand tools from O*NET. Many now have AI built in, so check what yours can do before adding a new tool.

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