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Generate a response to a common legal inquiry using configured templates, with built-in escalation checks for situations that shouldn't use a templated reply.…
/legal-response -- Generate Response from Templates
If you see unfamiliar placeholders or need to check which tools are connected, see CONNECTORS.md.
Generate a response to a common legal inquiry using configured templates. Customizes the response with specific details and includes escalation triggers for situations that should not use a templated response.
Important: This command assists with legal workflows but does not provide legal advice. Generated responses should be reviewed by qualified legal professionals before being sent, especially for regulated communications.
Invocation
/legal-response [inquiry-type]
Common inquiry types:
dsr or data-subject-request -- Data subject access/deletion/correction requests
hold or discovery-hold -- Litigation hold notices
vendor or vendor-question -- Vendor legal questions
nda or nda-request -- NDA requests from business teams
privacy or privacy-inquiry -- Privacy-related questions
subpoena -- Subpoena or legal process responses
insurance -- Insurance claim notifications
custom -- Use a custom template
If no inquiry type is provided, ask the user what type of response they need and show available categories.
Workflow
Step 1: Identify Inquiry Type
Accept the inquiry type from the user. If the type is ambiguous, show available categories and ask for clarification.
Step 2: Load Template
Look for templates in local settings (e.g., legal.local.md or a templates directory).
If templates are configured:
Load the appropriate template for the inquiry type
Identify required variables (recipient name, dates, specific details)
If no templates are configured:
Inform the user that no templates were found for this inquiry type
Offer to help create a template (see Template Creation Guide below)
Provide a reasonable default response structure based on the inquiry type
Step 3: Check Escalation Triggers
Before generating any response, evaluate whether this situation has characteristics that should NOT use a templated response.
Universal Escalation Triggers (Apply to All Categories)
The matter involves potential litigation or regulatory investigation
The inquiry is from a regulator, government agency, or law enforcement
The response could create a binding legal commitment or waiver
The matter involves potential criminal liability
Media attention is involved or likely
The situation is unprecedented (no prior handling by the team)
Multiple jurisdictions are involved with conflicting requirements
The matter involves executive leadership or board members
Data Subject Request Escalation Triggers
Request involves a minor's data, or is from/on behalf of a minor
Request is from a regulatory authority (not an individual)
Request involves data that is subject to a litigation hold
Requester is a current or former employee with an active dispute or HR matter
Request scope is unusually broad or appears to be a fishing expedition
Request involves data processed in a jurisdiction with unique requirements
Request involves special category data (health, biometric, genetic)
Discovery Hold Escalation Triggers
The matter involves potential criminal liability
The preservation scope is unclear, disputed, or potentially overbroad
There are questions about whether certain data is within scope
Prior holds for the same or related matter exist
The hold may affect ongoing business operations significantly
Hold conflicts with regulatory deletion requirements
Custodian objects to the hold scope
Vendor Question Escalation Triggers
The question involves a dispute or potential breach
The vendor is threatening litigation or termination
The question involves regulatory compliance (not just contract terms)
The response could create a binding commitment or waiver
Response could affect ongoing negotiation
NDA Request Escalation Triggers
The counterparty is a competitor
The NDA involves government classified information
The business context suggests the NDA is for a potential M&A transaction
The request involves unusual subject matter (AI training data, biometric data, etc.)
Subpoena / Legal Process Escalation Triggers
ALWAYS requires counsel review (templates are starting points only)
Privilege issues identified
Third-party data involved
Cross-border production issues
Unreasonable timeline
When an escalation trigger is detected:
Stop: Do not generate a templated response
Alert: Inform the user that an escalation trigger has been detected
Explain: Describe which trigger was detected and why it matters
Recommend: Suggest the appropriate escalation path (senior counsel, outside counsel, specific team member)
Offer: Provide a draft for counsel review (clearly marked as "DRAFT - FOR COUNSEL REVIEW ONLY") rather than a final response
Step 4: Gather Specific Details
Prompt the user for the details needed to customize the response:
Data Subject Request:
Requester name and contact information
Type of request (access, deletion, correction, portability, opt-out)
What data is involved
Applicable regulation (GDPR, CCPA, CPRA, other)
Response deadline
Discovery Hold:
Matter name and reference number
Custodians (who needs to preserve)
Scope of preservation (date range, data types, systems)
Outside counsel contact
Effective date
Vendor Question:
Vendor name
Reference agreement (if applicable)
Specific question being addressed
Relevant contract provisions
NDA Request:
Requesting business team and contact
Counterparty name
Purpose of the NDA
Mutual or unilateral
Any special requirements
Step 5: Generate Response
Populate the template with the gathered details. Ensure the response:
Uses appropriate tone (professional, clear, not overly legalistic for business audiences)
Includes all required legal elements for the response type
References specific dates, deadlines, and obligations
Provides clear next steps for the recipient
Includes appropriate disclaimers or caveats
Present the draft response to the user for review before sending.
Customization Guidelines
Required customization — Every templated response MUST be customized with:
Correct names, dates, and reference numbers
Specific facts of the situation
Applicable jurisdiction and regulation
Correct response deadlines based on when the inquiry was received
Appropriate signature block and contact information
Tone adjustment — Adjust tone based on:
Audience: Internal vs. external, business vs. legal, individual vs. regulatory authority
Relationship: New counterparty vs. existing partner vs. adversarial party
Sensitivity: Routine inquiry vs. contentious matter vs. regulatory investigation
Urgency: Standard timeline vs. expedited response needed
Jurisdiction-specific adjustments:
Verify that cited regulations are correct for the requester's jurisdiction
Adjust timelines to match applicable law
Include jurisdiction-specific rights information
Use jurisdiction-appropriate legal terminology
Step 6: Template Creation (If No Template Exists)
If the user wants to create a new template, walk through the Template Creation Guide (see below) and present the finished template for review. Suggest the user save the approved template to their local settings for future use.
Response Categories
1. Data Subject Requests (DSRs)
Sub-categories:
Acknowledgment of receipt
Identity verification request
Fulfillment response (access, deletion, correction)
Partial denial with explanation
Full denial with explanation
Extension notification
Key template elements:
Reference to applicable regulation (GDPR, CCPA, etc.)
Specific timeline for response
Identity verification requirements
Rights of the data subject (including right to complain to supervisory authority)
Contact information for follow-up
Example template structure:
Subject: Your Data [Access/Deletion/Correction] Request - Reference {{request_id}}
Dear {{requester_name}},
We have received your request dated {{request_date}} to [access/delete/correct] your personal data under [applicable regulation].
[Acknowledgment / verification request / fulfillment details / denial basis]
We will respond substantively by {{response_deadline}}.
[Contact information]
[Rights information]
2. Discovery Holds (Litigation Holds)
Sub-categories:
Initial hold notice to custodians
Hold reminder / periodic reaffirmation
Hold modification (scope change)
Hold release
Key template elements:
Matter name and reference number
Clear preservation obligations
Scope of preservation (date range, data types, systems, communication types)
Prohibition on spoliation
Contact for questions
Acknowledgment requirement
Example template structure:
Subject: LEGAL HOLD NOTICE - {{matter_name}} - Action Required
PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL
ATTORNEY-CLIENT COMMUNICATION
Dear {{custodian_name}},
You are receiving this notice because you may possess documents, communications, or data relevant to the matter referenced above.
PRESERVATION OBLIGATION:
Effective immediately, you must preserve all documents and electronically stored information (ESI) related to:
- Subject matter: {{hold_scope}}
- Date range: {{start_date}} to present
- Document types: {{document_types}}
DO NOT delete, destroy, modify, or discard any potentially relevant materials.
[Specific instructions for systems, email, chat, local files]
Please acknowledge receipt of this notice by {{acknowledgment_deadline}}.
Contact {{legal_contact}} with any questions.
3. Privacy Inquiries
Sub-categories:
Cookie/tracking inquiry responses
Privacy policy questions
Data sharing practice inquiries
Children's data inquiries
Cross-border transfer questions
Key template elements:
Reference to the organization's privacy notice
Specific answers based on current practices
Links to relevant privacy documentation
Contact information for the privacy team
4. Vendor Legal Questions
Sub-categories:
Contract status inquiry response
Amendment request response
Compliance certification requests
Audit request responses
Insurance certificate requests
Key template elements:
Reference to the applicable agreement
Specific response to the vendor's question
Any required caveats or limitations
Next steps and timeline
5. NDA Requests
Sub-categories:
Sending the organization's standard form NDA
Accepting a counterparty's NDA (with markup)
Declining an NDA request with explanation
NDA renewal or extension
Key template elements:
Purpose of the NDA
Standard terms summary
Execution instructions
Timeline expectations
6. Subpoena / Legal Process
Sub-categories:
Acknowledgment of receipt
Objection letter
Request for extension
Compliance cover letter
Key template elements:
Case reference and jurisdiction
Specific objections (if any)
Preservation confirmation
Timeline for compliance
Privilege log reference (if applicable)
Critical note: Subpoena responses almost always require individualized counsel review. Templates serve as starting frameworks, not final responses.
7. Insurance Notifications
Sub-categories:
Initial claim notification
Supplemental information
Reservation of rights response
Key template elements:
Policy number and coverage period
Description of the matter or incident
Timeline of events
Requested coverage confirmation
Template Management Methodology
Template Organization
Templates should be organized by category and maintained in the team's local settings. Each template should include:
Category: The type of inquiry the template addresses
Template name: A descriptive identifier
Use case: When this template is appropriate
Escalation triggers: When this template should NOT be used
Required variables: Information that must be customized for each use
Template body: The response text with variable placeholders
Follow-up actions: Standard steps after sending the response
Last reviewed date: When the template was last verified for accuracy
Template Lifecycle
Creation: Draft template based on best practices and team input
Review: Legal team review and approval of template content
Publication: Add to template library with metadata
Use: Generate responses using the template
Feedback: Track when templates are modified during use to identify improvement opportunities
Update: Revise templates when laws, policies, or best practices change
Retirement: Archive templates that are no longer applicable
Template Creation Guide
When helping users create new templates:
1. Define the Use Case
What type of inquiry does this address?
How frequently does this come up?
Who is the typical audience?
What is the typical urgency level?
2. Identify Required Elements
What information must be included in every response?
What regulatory requirements apply?
What organizational policies govern this type of response?
3. Define Variables
What changes with each use? (names, dates, specifics)
What stays the same? (legal requirements, standard language)
Use clear variable names: {{requester_name}}, {{response_deadline}}, {{matter_reference}}
4. Draft the Template
Write in clear, professional language
Avoid unnecessary legal jargon for business audiences
Include all legally required elements
Add placeholders for all variable content
Include a subject line template if for email use
5. Define Escalation Triggers
What situations should NOT use this template?
What characteristics indicate the matter needs individualized attention?
Be specific: vague triggers are not useful
6. Add Metadata
Template name and category
Version number and last reviewed date
Author and approver
Follow-up actions checklist
Template Format
## Template: {{template_name}}
**Category**: {{category}}
**Version**: {{version}} | **Last Reviewed**: {{date}}
**Approved By**: {{approver}}
### Use When
- [Condition 1]
- [Condition 2]
### Do NOT Use When (Escalation Triggers)
- [Trigger 1]
- [Trigger 2]
### Variables
| Variable | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| {{var1}} | [what it is] | [example value] |
| {{var2}} | [what it is] | [example value] |
### Subject Line
[Subject template with {{variables}}]
### Body
[Response body with {{variables}}]
### Follow-Up Actions
1. [Action 1]
2. [Action 2]
### Notes
[Any special instructions for users of this template]
Output Format
## Generated Response: [Inquiry Type]
**To**: [recipient]
**Subject**: [subject line]
---
[Response body]
---
### Escalation Check
[Confirmation that no escalation triggers were detected, OR flagged triggers with recommendations]
### Follow-Up Actions
1. [Post-send actions]
2. [Calendar reminders to set]
3. [Tracking or logging requirements]
Notes
Always present the draft response for user review before suggesting it be sent
If connected to email via MCP, offer to create a draft email with the response
Track response deadlines and offer to set calendar reminders
For regulated responses (DSRs, subpoenas), always note the applicable deadline and regulatory requirements
Templates should be living documents; suggest updates when the user modifies a templated response, so the template can be improved over time
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