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AI for solo lawyers: a practical guide to getting started

Solo lawyers can use AI safely by starting with low-risk, high-repetition tasks such as summarising non-confidential text, drafting routine emails and restructuring notes, keeping client data out until the tool's terms are reviewed, and checking every output. Leave legal judgment, final advice and citations to yourself.

By Raghav Handa · Updated 17 October 2026 · 3 min read

Good first tasks and tasks to avoid

Reasonable to start withLeave for later or avoid
Summarising public or anonymised textRelying on AI for case citations
Drafting routine client emailsSending AI output unreviewed
Turning notes into a structured file notePasting identifiable client data into untested tools
Brainstorming issues or questionsGiving final advice based on AI output

A low-risk first month

  1. 1

    Week 1

    Read the data terms of one tool and decide what you will never paste in.

  2. 2

    Week 2

    Use it on public or invented material only; practise prompts.

  3. 3

    Week 3

    Apply it to anonymised real tasks and note review time.

  4. 4

    Week 4

    Keep what saved net time; drop the rest; write a short firm policy.

Professional guidance on generative AI, such as ABA Formal Opinion 512 (July 2024) in the United States, deals with competence, confidentiality and supervision. Check your own bar or regulator for current rules where you practise.

A one-page AI policy for yourself

  • Which tools are approved, and on what plan.
  • What information may never be entered.
  • How outputs are verified and by whom (you).
  • When clients are told AI is used.
  • How you record use on a matter.

Where LawyerOS fits

LawyerOS is the organising layer: matters, deadlines and, in Pro with AI ($39), actions, time, clients and research. Its Custom AI Agents page explains setting up Notion agents on your own data. It is a template and does not include an AI model of its own.

Frequently asked questions

Is AI safe for a solo lawyer?
It can be, with careful tool choice, anonymised inputs and consistent review.
Do I have to tell clients I use AI?
Rules and expectations vary. Check your regulator and consider covering it in your engagement terms.
How much time does it save?
It depends on the task. Measure net time after review rather than assuming.
Which tool should I buy first?
Start with the tool you already pay for, if its terms suit, and test before you add more.

About the author

Raghav Handa

Raghav Handa trained as a lawyer, then spent years building legal technology, from enterprise legal products to custom systems for law firms.

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