Case Summary for Client
When a client calls asking 'Where does my case stand?' — generate a clear summary before returning the call.
Clients rarely follow the procedural rhythm of their own cases, so the question "Where do things stand?" comes up again and again. Answering it well means translating discovery deadlines, motion practice, and litigation strategy into plain language that explains what has happened, what comes next, and what the client needs to do — without jargon and without false reassurance. Done by hand for every call, that translation eats into time you could spend moving the matter forward.
Claude is a natural fit here. Feed it the case type, the chronology of key events, the current posture, and upcoming milestones, and it produces a clear, non-lawyer summary: what has happened, where things stand today, what is next and when, the client's action items, and a realistic view of possible outcomes. It is a fast way to prepare before returning a call or to send as a written follow-up that keeps the client informed and reduces anxious check-ins.
Accuracy and tone both need your eye before this reaches a client. Claude works only from what you provide, so it can state the posture imprecisely, overstate certainty about outcomes, or omit a development you did not include. Review the summary, correct anything off, and make sure the expectations it sets are realistic. The output is a client-communication draft for the attorney to approve — not legal advice and not a promise about how the case will end.
The Prompt
Write a plain-English case summary for my client. Client: [NAME] Case type: [TYPE] Current stage: [e.g., pre-litigation, discovery, motion practice, trial prep, appeal] Key events so far: [LIST MAJOR EVENTS IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER] Current status: [WHERE THINGS STAND RIGHT NOW] Upcoming milestones: [WHAT'S COMING NEXT AND WHEN] Write for a non-lawyer. Explain: 1. What has happened so far (3-5 sentences) 2. Where the case stands today (2-3 sentences) 3. What happens next and when (2-3 sentences) 4. What the client needs to do (specific action items) 5. Realistic expectations — what outcomes are possible Avoid legal jargon. If a legal term is necessary, define it. End with an invitation to call with questions.
Example Output
A 1-page plain-English summary covering case history, current status, next steps, client action items, and realistic expectations.
Illustrative example — names, figures, and facts are fictional.
Subject: Where Your Case Stands — Reyes v. Halcyon Property Management Dear Ms. Reyes, Here is a plain-English update on your case so you have everything in one place. What has happened so far We filed your complaint in March, and the property management company answered in April, denying responsibility. Since then both sides have been in "discovery" — the stage where we exchange documents and information. We have produced your medical records and the photos of the stairwell, and we have requested the building's maintenance and inspection logs. Where things stand today We are waiting on the other side's document production, which is due at the end of this month. Once we have those records, we will schedule depositions — sworn, recorded interviews — of the building manager and the maintenance contractor. What happens next and when We expect depositions over the summer, with fact discovery closing in the fall. After that, there may be motions before any trial date is set. A realistic timeline to resolution is several more months, and many cases like yours settle before trial. What we need from you - Let us know of any new medical appointments or bills. - Keep us updated if your contact information changes. What to expect Outcomes range from a negotiated settlement to a trial verdict. We believe the facts support your claim, but no outcome is guaranteed, and the value will depend in part on the records we are still gathering. Please call me with any questions — I am glad to walk through any of this. Warm regards, [Attorney Name]
Tips
- •Update the key events list each time something happens — this prompt becomes more useful over the life of a case.
- •Include realistic expectations so the client isn't surprised. Honest assessments build trust.
- •Send this as a follow-up email after every substantive client call.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to use this prompt?
Use it before returning a client's "where do things stand?" call, and as a written follow-up after any substantive development — a hearing, a deposition, or a settlement offer. Sending proactive summaries at each milestone keeps clients oriented and tends to reduce anxious check-ins and complaints. Updating the key-events list as the matter progresses makes the prompt more useful over the life of the case.
Can I send the summary to the client without reviewing it?
No. Claude only knows what you tell it, so review the draft for accuracy before it goes out: confirm the posture is stated correctly, that no development is missing or misdescribed, and that the outcome language is realistic rather than overpromising. A client update is a communication you are accountable for, so the attorney should approve every summary before sending.
How do I get the clearest, most useful summary?
Provide a complete chronology of key events, an accurate description of the current stage, and the upcoming milestones with dates. State the case type so Claude calibrates the explanation, and ask it to include realistic expectations and specific client action items. The more current and complete your inputs, the less editing the draft needs and the more reassuring it reads.
Are there confidentiality or accuracy duties to keep in mind?
Yes. Client matter details are confidential, so be mindful of what you paste into AI tools and use options with appropriate data protections. The duty of competent communication under Model Rule 1.4 means the summary must be accurate and not misleading; consistent with ABA Formal Opinion 512, review and correct the draft so the client receives a faithful picture of their case.
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