Start with the rules, then design the bot
Most chatbot projects start with features. For a law firm, start with constraints, because they shape every message the bot sends.
- No legal advice. The bot should never tell someone whether they have a case, what a statute means or what they should do next. It can describe what your firm handles and how consultations work.
- No attorney-client relationship. A clear notice should say that chatting does not create a relationship and that they should not share confidential details yet.
- Conflict checks come first. Collect the names needed for a conflict check before anyone hears the substance of the matter.
- Advertising rules apply. State bar rules on attorney advertising can cover chatbot wording, especially claims about results or expertise. Avoid words like "best" or "guaranteed" unless your bar rules permit them.
These are general points, not legal advice about your own obligations. Your firm's ethics counsel or state bar guidance should have the final say on the scripts.
What a good intake flow looks like
- Greet and show the no-advice notice
- Ask which practice area the inquiry relates to, from your list
- If it is outside your practice areas, say so politely and point to the state bar referral service
- Collect name, contact details and the names of other parties involved, for the conflict check
- Ask for a one-line, non-confidential description and any deadline they are aware of
- Offer consultation booking or a callback, and explain your fee policy for consultations
The summary lands in your intake inbox, case management system (if it has an API) or a shared sheet, with an alert to whoever reviews new matters.
Questions the bot can safely answer
Plenty of value sits in the boring questions: office hours and location, which languages your staff speak, whether you offer free or paid consultations, whether you work on contingency for certain matters, what documents to bring to a first meeting and how long a callback usually takes. Write these answers yourself so the wording is approved.
See the pattern and draft your scripts
The chatbot demo is built for a fictional dental clinic, but it shows the core behavior a law firm needs: factual answers, firm handoffs on anything sensitive and structured request collection. You can draft a first version of your FAQ answers with the free chatbot script generator, then have an attorney review it.
Pricing and timeline
Law firm intake chatbots start at $150 for a focused FAQ and intake bot, with a fixed price agreed before work begins. Builds with case management integration or multiple practice-area flows are quoted up front and typically take 3 to 7 days, including a review round with your team. You own the scripts, prompts and widget. Start a project with your practice areas and current intake process.