Prompt Engineering Hacksheet for Legal AI by India's Human AI "Srinidhi Ranganathan"

Module 1: Intro to Prompt Engineering & AI in Law

Basic Legal Research Prompts

Simple Case Law Research

You are an expert legal researcher. Find and summarize the key holdings in [jurisdiction] regarding [legal issue]. 
Provide:
1. 3-5 most relevant cases with citations
2. Key legal principles established
3. Any circuit splits or conflicting decisions
4. Current state of the law

Statutory Analysis

Act as a legal analyst specializing in [area of law]. Analyze [specific statute/regulation] and explain:
1. Key requirements and obligations
2. Penalties for non-compliance
3. Recent amendments or updates
4. Practical implementation guidance
Format as a structured legal memo.

Legal Concept Explanation

You are a law professor explaining complex legal concepts. Define and explain [legal term/doctrine] including:
1. Basic definition and origins
2. Key elements or requirements
3. How courts typically apply this concept
4. Recent developments or trends
5. Practical examples
Write for an audience of law students.

Module 2: Prompt Engineering Basics

Zero-Shot Prompting Examples

Contract Clause Analysis

Analyze this contract clause for potential legal risks and enforceability issues:
[Insert clause text]

Identify:
- Potential enforceability problems
- Ambiguous language
- Missing protective provisions
- Recommended modifications

Legal Document Summarization

Summarize the key points of this legal document in 200 words or less:
[Insert document text]

Focus on:
- Main legal obligations
- Important deadlines
- Key parties and roles
- Critical terms and conditions

Few-Shot Prompting Examples

Contract Risk Assessment Template

Analyze the following contract clauses for risk level (High/Medium/Low):

Example 1: "Either party may terminate this agreement at any time without cause upon 30 days' notice."
Risk Level: Medium - Provides flexibility but may create uncertainty

Example 2: "Company shall indemnify Client for all damages, including consequential damages, arising from any breach."
Risk Level: High - Unlimited indemnification exposure

Example 3: "This agreement shall be governed by the laws of Delaware."
Risk Level: Low - Standard governing law provision

Now analyze: [Insert new clause]
Risk Level: ?

Citation Format Correction

Correct these legal citations to proper Bluebook format:

Example 1: Brown vs Board of Education, 347 US 483 (1954)
Corrected: Brown v. Board of Educ., 347 U.S. 483 (1954)

Example 2: Section 1983 of Title 42 of the United States Code
Corrected: 42 U.S.C. § 1983

Now correct: [Insert incorrect citation]
Corrected: ?

Chain-of-Thought Prompting

Legal Reasoning Chain

Analyze whether [specific action] violates [relevant law/regulation]. 
Think through this step by step:

Step 1: Identify the relevant legal standard or test
Step 2: Determine the elements that must be proven
Step 3: Apply the facts to each element
Step 4: Consider any defenses or exceptions
Step 5: Reach a conclusion with supporting reasoning

Provide your analysis following this structure.

Contract Negotiation Strategy

Develop a negotiation strategy for [contract type]. Think through this systematically:

Step 1: Identify your client's key objectives and priorities
Step 2: Anticipate the opposing party's likely concerns
Step 3: Determine your negotiation leverage and constraints
Step 4: Identify potential areas for compromise
Step 5: Develop fallback positions for critical terms
Step 6: Create a negotiation timeline and strategy

Present your complete negotiation plan.

Module 3: Legal Research Powered by AI

Advanced Research Prompts

Comprehensive Case Law Analysis

Conduct comprehensive research on [legal issue] in [jurisdiction]. Structure your analysis as follows:

I. Executive Summary
   - Current state of the law
   - Key trends and developments

II. Foundational Cases
   - Landmark decisions establishing core principles
   - Evolution of legal doctrine

III. Recent Developments
   - Cases from last 2-3 years
   - Emerging trends or shifts

IV. Practical Implications
   - Guidance for practitioners
   - Potential future developments

V. Citations and Sources
   - Complete citations in Bluebook format
   - Primary and secondary sources

Comparative Legal Analysis

Compare and contrast how [legal issue] is handled in [Jurisdiction A] versus [Jurisdiction B].

For each jurisdiction, analyze:
1. Applicable statutes and regulations
2. Key case law and precedents
3. Practical implementation differences
4. Advantages and disadvantages of each approach

Conclude with recommendations for clients operating in both jurisdictions.

Legislative and Regulatory Research

Regulatory Impact Analysis

Analyze the impact of [new regulation/proposed legislation] on [industry/practice area].

Your analysis should include:
1. Summary of key regulatory changes
2. Compliance requirements and deadlines
3. Potential cost and operational impacts
4. Implementation challenges
5. Strategic recommendations for affected parties

Format as a client advisory memo.

Legislative History Research

Research the legislative history of [statute/regulation] to understand:
1. Original intent and purpose
2. Key debates and concerns during passage
3. Amendments and modifications over time
4. Judicial interpretation of legislative intent

Use this analysis to interpret [specific provision] in context.

Module 4: Legal Drafting & Documentation

Contract Drafting Prompts

Comprehensive Contract Creation

Draft a [contract type] between [Party A description] and [Party B description] with the following requirements:

Key Terms:
- [Specific terms and conditions]
- Duration: [timeframe]
- Compensation: [payment structure]
- Jurisdiction: [applicable law]

Include these essential provisions:
1. Scope of work/services
2. Payment terms and conditions
3. Intellectual property rights
4. Confidentiality and non-disclosure
5. Termination and breach provisions
6. Dispute resolution mechanism
7. Limitation of liability
8. Force majeure clause

Draft in clear, professional language appropriate for commercial use.

Clause Generation and Modification

Generate alternative language for this contract clause to better protect [client position]:

Original Clause: [insert text]

Provide 3 alternative versions that:
1. Strengthen client's position
2. Address potential ambiguities
3. Improve enforceability
4. Maintain commercial reasonableness

Explain the benefits of each alternative.

Legal Document Templates

Motion Template Creation

Create a template for a [specific motion type] in [jurisdiction] including:

1. Caption and case header
2. Introduction and statement of relief sought
3. Statement of facts (with placeholder sections)
4. Legal argument structure
5. Conclusion and prayer for relief
6. Certificate of service
7. Signature block

Include guidance comments for customization.

Legal Memo Template

Draft a comprehensive legal memorandum template addressing [legal issue]:

Structure:
I. Executive Summary
II. Issue(s) Presented
III. Brief Answer
IV. Statement of Facts
V. Discussion
   A. Legal Standard
   B. Analysis
   C. Counterarguments
   D. Risk Assessment
VI. Conclusion and Recommendations

Include placeholders and guidance for each section.

Document Review and Analysis

Contract Review Checklist

Review this contract and create a comprehensive analysis covering:

1. Risk Assessment
   - High-risk provisions
   - Potential liabilities
   - Missing protections

2. Commercial Terms Analysis
   - Payment and performance obligations
   - Termination rights
   - Intellectual property allocations

3. Legal Compliance
   - Regulatory requirements
   - Jurisdictional issues
   - Enforceability concerns

4. Negotiation Recommendations
   - Priority modifications
   - Alternative language suggestions
   - Deal-breaker issues

Present findings in executive summary format with detailed appendix.

Module 5: Compliance, Due Diligence & Legal Advisory

Compliance Analysis Prompts

Regulatory Compliance Assessment

Assess [company/client] compliance with [specific regulation/standard]:

Analysis Framework:
1. Applicable Requirements
   - Legal obligations
   - Industry standards
   - Best practices

2. Current State Assessment
   - Existing policies and procedures
   - Implementation gaps
   - Risk areas

3. Compliance Recommendations
   - Required actions
   - Timeline for implementation
   - Resource requirements

4. Ongoing Monitoring
   - Compliance metrics
   - Review schedules
   - Update procedures

Format as compliance audit report.

Risk Assessment Matrix

Create a legal risk assessment for [business activity/transaction]:

For each identified risk:
1. Risk Description and Impact
2. Probability of Occurrence (High/Medium/Low)
3. Severity of Impact (High/Medium/Low)  
4. Current Mitigation Measures
5. Additional Recommended Actions
6. Responsible Party and Timeline

Present in matrix format with executive summary.

Due Diligence Prompts

M&A Due Diligence Checklist

Develop a legal due diligence checklist for [transaction type]:

Corporate Structure and Governance:
- Articles of incorporation and bylaws
- Board and shareholder resolutions
- Ownership structure and cap table

Material Contracts:
- Customer and supplier agreements
- Partnership and joint venture agreements
- Employment and consulting agreements

Intellectual Property:
- Patents, trademarks, and copyrights
- License agreements
- IP litigation history

Litigation and Disputes:
- Pending and threatened litigation
- Regulatory investigations
- Insurance coverage

Create detailed checklist with document requests.

Investment Due Diligence Analysis

Analyze legal aspects of investment opportunity in [company/sector]:

Legal Structure Analysis:
1. Corporate governance and control rights
2. Regulatory compliance status
3. Material legal risks and exposures
4. Intellectual property portfolio

Investment Terms Evaluation:
1. Valuation and pricing considerations
2. Investor rights and protections
3. Exit strategy and liquidity provisions
4. Management incentives and restrictions

Risk Mitigation Recommendations:
1. Structural protections
2. Contractual safeguards  
3. Ongoing monitoring requirements
4. Exit planning considerations

Legal Advisory Prompts

Client Advisory Memo

Prepare a client advisory on [legal development/issue]:

Executive Summary:
- Key points for busy executives
- Bottom-line impact assessment

Detailed Analysis:
- Legal background and context
- Specific implications for client
- Action items and recommendations

Implementation Plan:
- Priority actions and timeline
- Resource requirements
- Success metrics

Format for C-suite audience with technical appendix.

Module 6: Ethics, Privacy & Limitations of AI in Law

Ethical Analysis Prompts

Professional Responsibility Analysis

Analyze the ethical implications of [situation/action] under [applicable ethics rules]:

Rule Analysis:
1. Applicable ethical rules and standards
2. Key requirements and prohibitions
3. Relevant commentary and guidance

Fact Application:
1. How facts fit within ethical framework
2. Potential rule violations or concerns
3. Mitigating factors or justifications

Risk Assessment:
1. Disciplinary consequences
2. Malpractice exposure
3. Reputational risks

Recommendations:
1. Compliant course of action
2. Risk mitigation strategies
3. Documentation requirements

Conflict of Interest Analysis

Evaluate potential conflicts of interest in [representation scenario]:

Conflict Identification:
1. Current client interests
2. Former client relationships
3. Personal or business interests
4. Third-party relationships

Rule Application:
1. Applicable conflict rules
2. Consent requirements
3. Screening procedures
4. Withdrawal obligations

Resolution Options:
1. Waiver possibilities
2. Alternative arrangements
3. Referral recommendations
4. Risk management strategies

AI Ethics and Limitations

AI Output Verification Protocol

Create a verification protocol for AI-generated legal work:

Verification Steps:
1. Citation checking and validation
2. Legal reasoning review
3. Factual accuracy confirmation
4. Bias detection and assessment

Quality Control Measures:
1. Multiple AI tool comparison
2. Human expert review
3. Client approval processes
4. Documentation requirements

Risk Management:
1. Error detection procedures
2. Correction and notification protocols
3. Professional responsibility compliance
4. Insurance and liability considerations

Module 7: Capstone Project & Assessment

Comprehensive Project Prompts

AI-Powered Case Brief Generator

Design a comprehensive case analysis system using AI prompts:

System Components:
1. Case summarization prompts
2. Legal issue identification
3. Holdings and reasoning extraction
4. Precedential value assessment

Prompt Chain Sequence:
1. Initial case processing
2. Key information extraction
3. Legal analysis generation
4. Citation and verification
5. Final brief compilation

Quality Assurance:
- Accuracy verification steps
- Human oversight requirements
- Error correction procedures
- Output validation criteria

Create complete prompt library with usage guidelines.

Contract Drafting Assistant

Develop an AI-powered contract drafting system:

Core Functionality:
1. Contract type identification
2. Clause library integration
3. Risk assessment capabilities
4. Customization options

Prompt Framework:
1. Initial client consultation prompts
2. Contract structure generation
3. Provision drafting and modification
4. Review and refinement stages

Implementation Guide:
1. Setup and configuration
2. User training requirements
3. Quality control procedures
4. Continuous improvement processes

Document complete system architecture and user manual.

Compliance Monitoring System

Create AI-powered compliance monitoring solution:

Monitoring Scope:
1. Regulatory change detection
2. Impact assessment analysis
3. Compliance gap identification
4. Remediation recommendations

Prompt Templates:
1. Regulatory analysis prompts
2. Risk assessment frameworks
3. Action plan generation
4. Progress monitoring queries

System Integration:
1. Data source connections
2. Workflow automation
3. Reporting and alerts
4. User interface design

Deliver functional prototype with documentation.

Advanced Prompt Engineering Techniques

Prompt Chaining for Complex Tasks

Multi-Step Legal Analysis

Step 1 Prompt: "Identify all legal issues in this fact pattern: [facts]"
↓
Step 2 Prompt: "For each issue identified: [issues from Step 1], research applicable law and precedents"
↓
Step 3 Prompt: "Apply the law from Step 2 to the facts, providing detailed analysis for each issue"
↓
Step 4 Prompt: "Synthesize the analysis into executive summary with recommendations"

Contract Negotiation Preparation Chain

Step 1: "Analyze client objectives and priorities in [deal type]"
↓
Step 2: "Research market standards for key terms: [terms from Step 1]"
↓
Step 3: "Identify potential counterparty concerns and objections"
↓
Step 4: "Develop negotiation strategy with fallback positions"
↓
Step 5: "Create negotiation timeline and talking points"

Advanced Formatting and Structuring

Professional Legal Document Format

Format this analysis as a professional legal memorandum with:

HEADER:
TO: [Client/Supervisor]
FROM: [Attorney Name]
DATE: [Current Date]
RE: [Matter Description]

STRUCTURE:
I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
II. FACTUAL BACKGROUND  
III. LEGAL ANALYSIS
IV. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

FORMATTING:
- Use proper legal citation format
- Include section headings and subheadings
- Number paragraphs for easy reference
- Include footnotes for additional detail

TONE: Professional, analytical, clear
LENGTH: [Specified length]

Quality Control and Verification Prompts

AI Output Verification

Review this AI-generated legal analysis for:

Accuracy Issues:
- Citation verification
- Legal principle accuracy
- Factual statement verification

Quality Concerns:
- Logical reasoning flow
- Completeness of analysis
- Professional tone and clarity

Risk Assessment:
- Potential bias or errors
- Missing considerations
- Client-specific concerns

Provide detailed feedback with specific corrections and improvements.

Bias Detection and Mitigation

Analyze this legal analysis for potential bias:

Types of Bias to Check:
1. Confirmation bias
2. Selection bias
3. Cultural or demographic bias
4. Jurisdictional bias

Detection Questions:
- Are alternative viewpoints considered?
- Is supporting evidence balanced?
- Are assumptions clearly stated?
- Is language neutral and professional?

Provide specific examples and suggested corrections.

Best Practices for Legal Prompt Engineering

The CLEAR Method

• Context: Provide sufficient background information
• Length: Specify desired output length and format
• Examples: Include examples when helpful
• Audience: Define target audience and tone
• Requirements: List specific deliverables and constraints

Prompt Optimization Checklist

• [ ] Clear role definition for AI
• [ ] Specific task instructions
• [ ] Required output format
• [ ] Quality criteria specified
• [ ] Examples provided (if needed)
• [ ] Constraints and limitations noted
• [ ] Verification requirements included

Common Prompt Engineering Mistakes

1. Vague Instructions: Being too general in requirements
2. Information Overload: Providing too much irrelevant context
3. Missing Constraints: Not specifying limitations or requirements
4. No Quality Control: Failing to include verification steps
5. Wrong Tone: Not matching appropriate professional tone

This prompt hacksheet provides practical, hands-on examples for each module of the legal AI course. All prompts should be tested and refined based on specific AI platform capabilities and user needs. Regular updates recommended as AI technology evolves.