Guide · ChatGPT for lawyers

ChatGPT for lawyers without sending client data

Use approved AI for generic work, keep client data out of prompts, and review every result before it reaches a client or business process.

Updated

The short answer. People in lawyers can use ChatGPT for generic drafting, checklists, explanations, and brainstorming without sending client data. Start with public, generic, or synthetic information. Keep client records, identifiers, confidential details, credentials, and matter-specific files out of prompts. Use a company-approved account, and have a qualified person verify every result.

What lawyers use ChatGPT for

These uses begin with public, generic, or synthetic material and end with professional review.

  • Drafting an outline from a hypothetical fact pattern
  • Creating a checklist from public court rules for a lawyer to verify
  • Rewriting generic client education material in plain language
  • Brainstorming research terms without client or matter facts
  • Editing an internal template after confidential fields are removed

Client data that stays out of prompts

Use placeholders or synthetic records when the task needs structure. Keep the following data out of consumer and unapproved AI tools:

  • Client, witness, employee, and opposing-party identities and contact details
  • Privileged and confidential communications
  • Matter facts, contracts, discovery, evidence, and investigation material
  • Legal strategy, attorney work product, settlement positions, and offer terms
  • Medical, employment, financial, government ID, and account data
  • Passwords, access credentials, and API keys

Read Is ChatGPT safe for work? for provider data handling, training choices, retention, and encryption by plan type.

Five steps for safer use

  1. Start with policy. Define approved tools, prohibited data, review, reporting, and an owner in the AI acceptable use policy.
  2. Remove client context. Replace real records with synthetic examples and neutral placeholders before drafting the prompt.
  3. Use the approved account. Confirm the exact product, plan, settings, and connected features match company policy.
  4. Verify every result. Check facts, calculations, citations, professional requirements, and final language against authoritative sources.
  5. Report mistakes and exposure. Stop the workflow, preserve the relevant record, and follow the company reporting path.

The PII redaction guide shows how to define, test, and log a control before an LLM call. The AI glossary defines the gateway and guardrail terms.

Professional guidance

ABA Formal Opinion 512 says lawyers using generative AI must consider duties involving competence, confidentiality, client communication, supervision, candor, and reasonable fees. Its confidentiality analysis explains that lawyers must evaluate the tool and the information involved before entering information relating to a representation, including whether informed client consent is required. Follow the rules and opinions that govern the lawyer’s jurisdiction.

This guide provides operational information. Have counsel or the profession’s designated compliance owner review company policy and each approved use.

Where Sentinel fits

SUPERWISE® Sentinel replaces emails, phone numbers, account numbers, and API keys with placeholders before a prompt leaves the PC, and logs every request. It does not redact names or passwords.

That boundary matters for every profession on this page. Names and passwords must stay out through policy, training, and access controls. Test each required format and route with synthetic data before approval. See Sentinel and the PII redaction documentation.

Frequently asked questions

Can lawyers use ChatGPT?

Yes. Lawyers remain responsible for competence, confidentiality, verification, client communication, supervision, candor, and fees under the rules that apply to their work.

Is ChatGPT confidential?

Do not assume a ChatGPT conversation has the confidentiality required for a legal matter. Evaluate the exact product, plan, settings, terms, and professional duties before use.

Can ChatGPT write legal documents?

It can assist with drafts in an approved workflow. A lawyer must verify the law, citations, facts, analysis, language, and final document.

Does attorney-client privilege apply to ChatGPT?

Privilege depends on the facts and governing law. Keep client and matter information out of prompts until the lawyer has completed the required confidentiality analysis.

Sources

Sources read on 2026-10-07.