Recently, AltaClaro held a panel at the NALP-PDI conference titled “The Power of Prompting: Teaching Lawyers How to Leverage Generative AI,” bringing together legal industry leaders to discuss how law firms can effectively integrate Gen AI training into their organizations. Moderated by Abdi Shayesteh, CEO and founder of AltaClaro, the session featured Kate Orr, Global Head of Practice Innovation at Orrick.

The insights and strategies shared here are inspired by that discussion, highlighting the key themes and takeaways.

Generative AI is no longer a futuristic tool. It’s already reshaping how legal work gets done across departments and industries. But mastering AI isn’t about knowing every platform on the market. The key to effective AI use is prompt engineering mastery, giving attorneys the versatility to achieve smarter, faster, and more accurate results on any AI platform. 

What Is Prompt Engineering?

At its core, prompt engineering is the skill of asking AI the right questions in the right way. This requires more than just typing commands. Instead, prompt engineering involves a deep understanding of how the AI thinks, how it processes language, and how to guide it to produce useful, accurate, and context-aware results.

For attorneys, prompt engineering can mean:

• Drafting contracts faster while catching subtle errors
• Conducting research that’s both thorough and precise
• Streamlining workflows so repetitive tasks don’t eat up billable hours

Through prompt engineering mastery, attorneys develop the ability to apply AI confidently and efficiently, regardless of the AI tool or legal task.

Why Prompt Engineering Matters

Many firms focus their AI training on a single platform, but tools evolve rapidly, and what is effective today may become obsolete tomorrow. 

Leading innovative firms like Orrick take a different approach, emphasizing skill development over tool-specific instruction.

Prompt engineering develops attorneys’ ability to apply AI in ways that mirror the demands of real legal work. By practicing with tasks such as drafting documents, performing research, and analyzing cases, attorneys gain a transferable skill set that remains valuable across any AI platform. Focusing on these core capabilities allows lawyers to build proficiency that grows with the technology, rather than training tied to a single tool, and supports consistent, high-quality outcomes in everyday practice.

Kate Orr, Global Head of Practice Innovation at Orrick, puts it simply:

“Prompt engineering training goes way beyond just learning how to write the prompt. It's teaching you how the technology works, how to use the tools, and that's going to give you a leg up.”

Focusing on prompt engineering skills allows lawyers to build proficiency that grows with the technology, rather than training tied to a single tool, and supports consistent, high-quality outcomes in everyday practice.

How Lawyers Develop Prompt Engineering Skills

Developing prompt engineering skills requires more than one-off training sessions. 

Experiential training

Lawyers learn by using AI in realistic legal scenarios, reflecting on their results, and refining their techniques through feedback. When practice is grounded in the actual tasks attorneys perform, such as drafting, researching, and analyzing, prompting becomes second nature and directly applicable to daily work.

Starting small

Strong programs build in progression. Early sessions introduce how AI interprets language and context, while advanced training applies that knowledge to complex analysis and strategy. Each stage deepens understanding and strengthens critical thinking.

Collaboration

Growth flourishes in a collaborative culture. When firms encourage knowledge-sharing and experimentation, attorneys gain confidence to adapt prompts across tools and matters. Over time, prompt engineering becomes not just a technical ability, but a core professional competency that enhances precision, efficiency, and judgment.

How AltaClaro Helps Lawyers Master Prompt Engineering

AltaClaro’s experiential learning model turns prompt engineering from theory into practice. Through guided instruction and real legal exercises, attorneys learn how to structure prompts, interpret outputs, and refine their results with expert review and data-driven feedback.

By the end of the “Fundamentals of Prompt Engineering for Lawyers” course, attorneys and legal professionals walk away with:

• Practical experience applying prompt engineering to real‑world legal tasks
• Familiarity with AI tool‑neutral methods that apply across platforms 
• Strategies to evaluate and mitigate risks in AI‑generated content

Take the next step in modernizing your legal practice. Request a demo to learn more about AltaClaro’s Prompt Engineering for Lawyers course.