How to Use Claude for Legal Research
The exact prompt, setup, and codes to get great results.
The Problem
Legal research traditionally requires expensive database access and trained paralegals. Founders and small businesses need basic legal understanding but can't afford $400/hour associates.
The Prompt (Copy & Paste)
Research the legal landscape for [LEGAL QUESTION]. Context: [WHY I NEED THIS — STARTING A BUSINESS, COMPLIANCE QUESTION, DISPUTE] Jurisdiction: [STATE/COUNTRY] Industry: [IF RELEVANT] Research: 1. **Applicable laws/regulations**: What statutes or regulations govern this? 2. **Key requirements**: What do I need to comply with? 3. **Common pitfalls**: What do people in my situation get wrong? 4. **Recent changes**: Any new laws or pending legislation I should know about? 5. **Practical steps**: What should I actually DO based on this? 6. **When to hire a lawyer**: At what point does this require professional legal help? Format: Plain English explanation — no legalese. Cite specific laws/sections where possible. IMPORTANT: This is for educational purposes. Flag where professional legal counsel is essential.
Replace the [BRACKETED] placeholders with your specific details.
What You Get
A plain-English overview of the legal landscape with specific statutes, practical compliance steps, and clear guidance on when you need a real lawyer. Saves hours of googling.
Prompt Codes That Help
Add these prefix codes to the start of your prompt for even better results:
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More Legal Tasks
Reviewing Contracts
Contract review from a lawyer costs $500+ per hour. Most founders and freelancers sign contracts without understanding the liability clauses, termination terms, or IP assignment language.
Reviewing an NDA
NDAs seem standard but vary wildly. Some have mutual protections; others let the other party claim ownership of anything you discuss. Most people sign without reading.
Writing Terms of Service
Every SaaS needs ToS but hiring a lawyer to draft them costs $2,000-5,000. Most founders either copy someone else's (risky) or skip them entirely (riskier).
Compliance Checklist
Compliance requirements vary by industry, jurisdiction, and company size. Missing a requirement can mean fines, lawsuits, or losing the ability to operate entirely.
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