Avoid these 6 mistakes when using AI for your in-house legal work

The biggest reasons in-house lawyers are struggling with AI (I was guilty of this until not that long ago):

🔷 Wanting to generate new content or responses for legal work...

❌ But defaulting to "I'll use a handful of key words to search for a fast answer I'll get from information that already exists" mode

🔷 Expecting GC-level legal advice to be produced...

❌ From a generic search engine, not designed to generate outputs

❌ And not designed for legal work 

If you're wondering where you're going wrong, I've put some of the main mistakes in this guide and how you can fix them. Read on!

This newsletter is sponsored by:

1️⃣ Treating it like Google
Google is for finding existing information fast through key word matching.

AI prompting is about creating something NEW by giving it the right instructions, usually very detailed.

In the same way you would instruct a junior lawyer on a new task.

2️⃣ Using generic tools
ChatGPT is fine for practice, build your confidence.

But tools designed with our pain points in mind (and the touchpoints where we hang out in-house e.g. Slack, email) are faster, more reliable, secure and compliant.

3️⃣ Not sharing documents
If you’re asking AI to summarise something, upload the actual source (contract, case law).

Don’t copy-paste random bits or write your own summary. You’re making extra work for yourself.

The less you give it, the more it guesses.

4️⃣ Asking for answers, not reasoning
AI is better at reasoning than conclusions.

If you jump straight to “what’s the answer?” you might get an oversimplified or incorrect response.

Try asking it to explain its reasoning, then request a final answer.

I know, tough one to do for in-house lawyers because the wider business prefer the reverse structure (answer up top; reading reasoning optional!)

5️⃣ Never iterating
One-off prompts don’t work. It learns as it goes.

Best results come from:

• Giving feedback

• Rephrasing the ask

Treat it like a conversation, be curious.

6️⃣ Not being specific
AI loves specificity.

Give it a persona.

“you are an in-house counsel specializing in tech contracts at a scaling SaaS company”

Make specific asks.
“list 5 potential risks in this contract”

What would you add?

Reply directly to this email!

You’re invited! FREE WEBINAR

My final speaking engagement of 2025 is next Tuesday and MY WORD, is it going to be a banger…

I’ll be joining a panel with CLM legends and industry heavyweights Lucy Bassli of InnoLaw Group and Sabrina Pervez, the Regional Director - EMEA of SpotDraft.

We’ll chat through what contracting excellence will look like in 2026 and how you get there.

Tuesday, December 9

5pm GMT | 6pm CET | 9am PT | 12pm ET

👉 Register here

Come on down and ask us your questions live, we’d genuinely love that!

Join my inner circle!

Do you need help navigating an overcrowded market to find the right legal AI tools for your team, or to justify budget for one?

I am launching a private inner circle for an exclusive group of first legal hires and solo GCs wanting ongoing support and to learn as you go. ✨

You will get:

✅ authentic connection with peers in the same boat

✅ personalised attention from me

✅ private space away from public feeds

Click here to join!

Curious about in-house practice or simply want to reach out?

Don't hesitate to reply to this email - I'm happy to help with any questions, no strings attached.

Let’s connect! 💜

Copyright ©️ 2025 ITGC | Copyright ©️ 2025 Sarah Irwin | All Rights Reserved