What to tell clients about AI — and what not to
Oct 21 2026 · Governance
Disclosure is becoming the norm. A short, honest position beats either silence or oversharing.
Tell clients that AI may be used to assist with drafting, research and review, that a qualified lawyer verifies and signs off all work, and that their confidential material is handled under defined data tiers. Do not claim AI does the work, do not promise it was not used, and do not bury it in jargon. A short disclosure sentence in the engagement letter, plus a one-line note on AI-assisted deliverables, is usually enough.
A disclosure that works
'We may use AI tools to assist with drafting, research and document review. All work is reviewed and signed off by a qualified lawyer. Confidential material is handled under our data-tier policy.'
What not to say
- Do not claim the work is entirely human if it is not.
- Do not promise AI was never used.
- Do not hide it in an unread schedule.
Written for legal professionals. Not a guarantee of accuracy — always verify every claim against its source, and let a named human sign off. Get the free handbook.