Engagement Letter AI Disclosure Clauses for Law Firms

Four ready-to-use versions — from minimal background disclosure to full document-processing consent.

Managing partners, ethics partners, and office managers at law firms updating engagement letter templates in response to Heppner, ABA Formal Opinion 512, and client requests for AI governance transparency.

Every attorney using AI on client matters faces the question: do I need to tell my client, and if so, what do I say? The answer depends on the nature of the AI use. A single clause doesn’t fit every situation. Firms need options matched to different levels of AI involvement.

Four engagement letter clause versions with guidance on which to use: Version A (background AI use — minimal disclosure), Version B (AI-assisted substantive work — standard disclosure recommended for most firms), Version C (AI processing of client documents — requires affirmative consent), and Version D (privilege protection statement for matters with discovery or regulatory production exposure). Plus court and tribunal AI certification language.