AI Legal Research Safety Checklist — Free PDF

5-Step Safe AI Legal Research Workflow

A court-defensible process for using AI without risking sanctions

Frame the Question

Ask AI to identify legal issues, sub-issues, and terms of art. Do NOT ask for citations.

Generate Search Terms

Get Boolean strings, statutory refs, and legal theories. Still NO case citations from AI.

Research in Databases

Run AI-generated terms through Westlaw/Lexis. This step CANNOT be delegated to AI.

Synthesize with AI

Give AI YOUR verified cases. Ask it to organize, not add. Constrain: "work only with cases I provided."

Verify & Document

Citator check every citation. Read opinions. Log your verification process.

Citation Verification Checklist

Complete for EVERY citation before filing:

Citation exists in Westlaw/Lexis/Google ScholarCase name and parties match exactlyHolding matches your intended useCitator: no red/yellow flags (KeyCite/Shepard's)Holding is binding, not dictaJurisdiction is controlling or persuasiveNo subsequent legislation supersedesVerification date and database logged

Safe AI Uses

Frame research questions & spot issues
Generate search terms & Boolean strings
Identify statutory frameworks
Brainstorm theories & counterarguments
Organize YOUR verified authorities
Draft from sources YOU provide
Translate legal analysis to plain language

Dangerous AI Uses

Asking AI to "find cases" on a topic
Trusting AI citations without verification
Relying on AI summaries instead of opinions
Using AI as a citator (good law check)
Assuming AI knows recent developments
Filing AI output without attorney review

The Three Golden Rules

Never ask AI for citations

Ask for analysis and search terms. Find citations yourself.

Always verify independently

Every citation → Westlaw/Lexis. No exceptions.

Document everything

Keep a research log. It protects you if courts ask.

The Legal Prompts

thelegalprompts.com — AI-powered legal document generation with anti-hallucination safeguards

Full article: thelegalprompts.com/blog/how-to-use-ai-legal-research-safely

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