Most lawyers are using AI wrong. Here's how to fix it.
Stop writing elaborate prompts. Start giving AI better context. Here's the 5-level system that changes everything.
Most lawyers think better AI results come from longer, detailed prompts.
They're wrong.
The secret isn't more complex prompts—it's better context.
Tiago Forte broke down the "5 Context Levels" that separate amateur AI users from pros. Here's what every lawyer needs to know:
Level 1: Base Training (You cannot control this)
This is what ChatGPT learned from billions of web pages. It's general knowledge—useful but generic.
When you ask "draft a demand letter," you're getting vanilla output because the AI doesn't know your case, style, or jurisdiction.
Level 2: System Prompts (Hidden but hackable)
Every AI model has hidden instructions that guide its behavior. You can't see them, but you can trigger better responses.
In Claude, try starting with:
"Think step by step"
"Consider different perspectives"
"Be precise and reference sources"
These unlock deeper reasoning modes.
Level 3: User Preferences (Set once, benefit forever)
Tell ChatGPT how you want it to communicate:
"Ask clarifying questions before drafting"
"Write in a professional yet conversational tone"
"Format responses with clear headers and bullet points"
Set these preferences for all conversations.
Level 4: Project Knowledge (Game-changer)
Upload relevant files to provide AI context about your situation:
Sample pleadings you've written
Case facts and timeline
Client communication style
Relevant statutes or regulations
Now when you ask for a "demand letter," AI knows your case details and writing style.
Level 5: Your Prompt (Simple but powerful)
With all that context loaded, your prompts can be simple:
"Draft the demand letter."
That's it. The AI has everything it needs.
Why this matters
I recently saw a lawyer spend 20 minutes crafting an elaborate prompt, trying to cram every detail in a single message.
His results? Average.
Another lawyer spent 10 minutes setting up context levels 2-4, then asked a simple question.
His results? Exceptional.
The bottom line
Stop writing long prompts. Start building context.
The lawyers getting incredible AI results aren't using different tools. They're using the same tools—more effectively.
Want to learn how to set this up properly? Check out my ChatGPT Lab, where we focus on practical implementation.
;-)
Ernie
P.S. This approach works with any AI tool—ChatGPT, Claude, or legal-specific platforms. Master the context levels, and each tool improves.