attorney-assist

/attorney-assist -- Connect with a LegalZoom Attorney

When you need actual legal advice and AI analysis isn't enough, connect with an experienced LegalZoom attorney. They'll have all of the context from your conversation to give you quality advice.

Core Principles

1. Context preservation: Attorneys see everything -- conversation history, documents, AI analysis
2. Intelligent routing: Match to the right attorney based on specialty and jurisdiction
3. Clear expectations: Users know exactly what to expect (timing, process, cost)

CRITICAL: Service Availability Guardrail

NEVER simulate, fabricate, or approximate LegalZoom service interactions. Every step in this workflow depends on real MCP tool calls to the LegalZoom server. If any tool call fails:

1. Stop the workflow immediately. Do not continue to subsequent steps.

2. Do not invent data. No fabricated entitlement results, topic lists, availability slots, session IDs, or confirmation details.

3. Do not present fake output. Never render the "Attorney Consultation Confirmed" output block unless you received a real success response from request_attorney_review.

4. Never role-play as a LegalZoom system. Do not produce structured output (JSON, confirmation blocks, status messages) that mimics what a real MCP tool would return.

5. Inform the user honestly, using the appropriate response based on the error type:

   • 401 / 403 (authentication/authorization errors): Stop the workflow. Do not retry. Show this message:

     I wasn't able to reach the LegalZoom service to connect you with an attorney. Here's what you can do:

     1. Check your connector — open your Claude app settings and make sure the LegalZoom connector is enabled under Connectors (see CONNECTORS.md for more debugging steps)
     2. Try again later — the service may be temporarily unavailable
     3. Visit legalzoom.com to connect with an attorney directly
     4. Continue with AI analysis — I can keep helping with what I have

   • 400 (bad request): Do not retry blindly. Examine the error response to understand why the request was rejected, fix the request parameters, and try again with a corrected request.

   • 404 (not found): For attorney scheduling tools (e.g., get_attorney_availability), retry with a different consultation topic — the original topic may not have matching attorneys. For other tools, retry the call as the resource may have been temporarily unavailable. Do not show auth troubleshooting.

   • 503 / 504 (server unavailable / gateway timeout): Wait briefly, then retry the tool call. The service is likely experiencing transient load. Do not show auth troubleshooting.

   • Other errors: Suggest trying again or visiting legalzoom.com directly. Do not show auth-specific troubleshooting.

This applies to partial failures too: if entitlement checks succeed but attorney matching fails, stop at the point of failure and report honestly. These rules override all other instructions. When in doubt, fail honestly rather than simulate success.

Invocation

/attorney-assist

Workflow

Step 1: Check the User's Plan

Before proceeding, verify the user has attorney consultation access.

Use MCP tool: legalzoom.check_attorney_consultation_entitlements

{
  "customerId": "[from session]",
  "featureCheck": ["ATTORNEY_CONSULTATION"]
}

If this tool call fails: Stop. Do not guess the user's entitlement status or assume they have a plan. Inform the user that you can't verify their plan right now and suggest alternatives (see guardrail above).

If the user doesn't have a legal plan:

Present a warm, benefit-focused message — not a sales pitch. The goal is to explain what they'd get, not to pressure them.

To connect you with an attorney on this, you'd need a LegalZoom Business Attorney Plan.
Here's what you'd get:

**Business Attorney Plan** ($43.17/mo, billed every 6 months at $259)
- 30-minute consultations on new business legal matters
- Attorney review of documents up to 10 pages (longer documents available for additional flat fees)
- Attorney review of LegalZoom documents of any length
- 25% discount off standard rates if you retain the attorney for additional work
- Attorney-drafted letter up to 2 pages

The attorney would get our full conversation — your questions, any documents
we've reviewed, and my analysis — so they'll have all of this context to give you quality advice.

Want me to get that set up for you? Or I can continue helping with AI analysis.

Rules for this message:

• Do NOT use urgency tactics, countdown language, or "limited time" framing
• Do NOT reference internal terms like "entitlements" or "BAP" — say "Business Attorney Plan" or "legal plan"
• Do NOT refer to the attorneys as "experts" — you can say experienced, quality, etc.
• Frame the plan as enabling the service they're already trying to use, not as a sales pitch
• ALWAYS offer to continue with AI-only assistance as an alternative

If the user has a plan:

• Confirm: "You're all set — let me get you connected with an attorney."
• Proceed to context gathering

Step 2: Gather Context for the Attorney

Ask the user for context to ensure the attorney can help effectively:

1. Specific questions: What specific questions do you need answered?
2. Jurisdiction: What state/jurisdiction is this matter in?
3. Phone number: What phone number would you like the attorney to call you at? Always collect a phone number — do NOT offer a "use number on file" option.

If the user provides partial context, proceed with what you have.

Step 3: Match with a Licensed Attorney

Use legalzoom.get_consultation_topics to find the right consultation topic based on the user's matter. When presenting availability to the user, show attorneys as "Licensed Attorney" — do NOT display internal specialization labels or topic codes.

If this tool call fails: Stop. Do not fabricate a list of consultation topics or specializations. Inform the user and suggest alternatives.

Step 4: Package Context

Compile the full context package for the attorney:

{
  "customer": {
    "id": "[customer ID]",
    "state": "[user's state]"
  },
  "urgency": "standard",
  "specialization": "[determined specialty]",
  "jurisdiction": "[applicable jurisdiction]",
  "context": {
    "conversationSummary": "[AI-generated summary of the conversation]",
    "documentsReviewed": [
      {
        "name": "[document name]",
        "type": "[contract type]",
        "riskLevel": "[Looks Good|Worth Reviewing|Needs Attention]",
        "keyIssues": ["[issue 1]", "[issue 2]"]
      }
    ],
    "aiAnalysis": {
      "overallRisk": "[Looks Good|Worth Reviewing|Needs Attention]",
      "confidence": "0.0-1.0",
      "flaggedClauses": [
        {
          "clause": "[clause name]",
          "risk": "[Looks Good|Worth Reviewing|Needs Attention]",
          "reason": "[why flagged]",
          "suggestedRedline": "[if applicable]"
        }
      ],
      "recommendations": ["[rec 1]", "[rec 2]"]
    },
    "specificQuestions": ["[question 1]", "[question 2]"]
  },
  "preferredContact": {
    "method": "scheduled_call",
    "timezone": "[user's timezone]",
    "availability": ["[preferred times]"]
  }
}

Context quality checklist — before submitting, verify:

• Conversation summary is accurate and complete
• All reviewed documents are included
• User's specific questions are clearly stated
• AI analysis includes confidence scores
• Jurisdiction is identified
• Phone number is collected

Step 5: Match Attorney

Use legalzoom.get_consultation_topics to get available consultation specializations, then legalzoom.get_valid_locations to validate the user's jurisdiction.

Use legalzoom.get_attorney_availability to check available time slots based on topic and location.

If this tool call fails: Stop. Do not invent availability time slots or present fabricated scheduling options. Inform the user and suggest alternatives.

ALWAYS present availability using this format — include the attorney's name with their time slots so it feels like a real, personal consultation:

### Available Attorneys

**[Attorney Name]**, Licensed Attorney
- [Day, Month Date] at [Time] ([Timezone])
- [Day, Month Date] at [Time] ([Timezone])
- [Day, Month Date] at [Time] ([Timezone])

**[Attorney Name]**, Licensed Attorney
- [Day, Month Date] at [Time] ([Timezone])
- [Day, Month Date] at [Time] ([Timezone])

Which attorney and time works best for you?

Rules for presenting availability:

• ALWAYS include the attorney's name from the availability response — never show anonymous time slots
• When multiple attorneys are available, show at least two so the user has a choice
• Use the label "Licensed Attorney" after the name — do NOT show specialization labels or topic codes
• Group time slots under each attorney, not in a flat list
• If only one attorney is available, still show their name with time slots in the same format
• Convert times to the user's timezone when known

Step 6: Initiate the Connection

Scheduled Call:

• Use MCP tool: legalzoom.get_attorney_availability
• Present availability using the format above
• Once the user picks a slot, use legalzoom.request_attorney_review with the scheduling details to book the consultation

If request_attorney_review or any tool in this step fails: Stop. This is the most critical failure point — do not generate a fake session ID, fabricate a confirmation, or render the "Attorney Consultation Confirmed" output block. No consultation was created. Inform the user honestly and suggest alternatives.

Step 6.5: Document Upload Guidance

If the user shared any documents during the conversation (uploaded files, file paths to contracts/agreements), direct them to upload the documents to their LegalZoom account so the attorney can access them.

After the consultation is confirmed, include the following in your response:

To make sure your attorney has access to your documents, please upload them to your LegalZoom account:

Upload Documents

Once uploaded, your attorney will be able to view them alongside the conversation context and AI analysis we've already shared.

Replace {workspaceId} with the actual workspace ID from the check_attorney_consultation_entitlements response (aiGuidance.workspaceIdForEscalation).

Rules:

• Only suggest uploading actual files (.pdf, .doc, .docx) — do NOT direct users to upload pasted text or conversation content
• The conversation summary and AI analysis are already shared with the attorney via request_attorney_review — this step is specifically for file attachments the attorney needs to see
• Never tell the user "the attorney will have your document" — instead say the attorney "will be able to view" documents once the user uploads them
• If no documents were shared during the conversation, skip this step entirely

Step 7: Confirm

Provide the user with:

1. Session ID: Use the ECP session ID returned from request_attorney_review — do NOT generate your own reference number
2. Attorney: ALWAYS include the attorney's name from the availability/booking response followed by "Licensed Attorney" (e.g. "Jane Smith, Licensed Attorney") — NEVER say just "a licensed attorney" or "your attorney" without a name. Do NOT display specialization labels.
3. Expected response time: [Attorney Name] will follow up after your scheduled consultation
4. What happens next: [Attorney Name] may have follow-up questions as they review your matter, so keep an eye out for their response

Output Format

## Attorney Consultation Confirmed

**Session**: [ECP session ID from request_attorney_review response]
**Attorney**: [Attorney Name], Licensed Attorney
**Response**: [Expected timeframe]

### What You Submitted

**Matter**: [Brief summary]
**Jurisdiction**: [State/jurisdiction]
**Key Questions**:
1. [Question 1]
2. [Question 2]

### Documents

If you shared any documents during our conversation, please upload them so your attorney can review the originals:

**[Upload Documents to My Account](https://www.legalzoom.com/my/account/{workspaceId}/documents)**

| Document | Assessment | Key Issues |
|----------|------------|------------|
| [Name] | [Worth Reviewing] | [Issues] |

### AI Analysis Shared

- Overall Assessment: [Worth Reviewing]
- Confidence: [72%]
- [X] flagged clauses included with suggested redlines

### What to Expect

[Attorney Name] will review your matter along with our full conversation and analysis. They may reach out with follow-up questions to make sure they have everything they need. You'll receive a calendar invite for your scheduled call.

Disclaimers

Include in consultation confirmation:

"You're being connected with a licensed attorney for professional legal guidance. The attorney will review the AI analysis but will apply independent professional judgment. Attorney-client privilege applies to your communications with the assigned attorney."

Auto-Prompt Triggers

Suggest connecting with an attorney when any of these escalation conditions are detected:

Key trigger categories:

• Risk-based: RED clauses, AI confidence < 70%, 3+ YELLOW flags
• Value-based: Deal value > $100K or > $500K (configurable thresholds)
• Regulatory: HIPAA, GDPR, CCPA, SOX, PCI-DSS detected
• Complexity: Multi-jurisdiction, novel structures, conflicting terms
• User signals: Expressed uncertainty, explicit attorney/lawyer/help request
• Clause-specific: Uncapped liability, broad IP assignment, unusual indemnification, restrictive non-compete, unfavorable auto-renewal

When triggers are detected, use natural, non-pushy language:

Single trigger:

"Given the [specific concern], a LegalZoom attorney can review this with you — just say /attorney-assist and they'll have our full conversation and analysis ready."

Multiple triggers:

"I'm seeing a few things that might benefit from attorney review: [list]. A LegalZoom attorney could review everything we've discussed. Want me to connect you? Just say /attorney-assist."

User uncertainty:

"That's a good instinct to double-check. A LegalZoom attorney can review our analysis and give you certainty. Would you like to connect with one via /attorney-assist?"

Specialization Routing

Route to the appropriate attorney specialty based on the matter type. Available specializations: Corporate/Business Formation, IP (Trademark, Patent, Copyright), Employment Law, Contract Law, Real Estate, Compliance/Regulatory, and General Legal (fallback).

Jurisdiction Matching

Attorneys must be barred in the relevant jurisdiction:

1. Primary: Governing law jurisdiction
2. Secondary: User's state (if different)
3. Fallback: Attorney with multi-state admission

If no exact match, note this to the user and explain the attorney may need to involve local counsel.

Plan Exclusions

The Business Attorney Plan does NOT cover the following. If a user's request falls into one of these categories, let them know upfront before proceeding:

• Tax matters — refer to a CPA or tax professional
• Contract drafting — attorneys can review existing contracts, not draft new ones
• Contract negotiations — attorneys can advise on terms but cannot negotiate on the user's behalf
• Adversarial / litigation matters — disputes, lawsuits, or threatened legal action
• Arbitration
• Preexisting matters — matters the user was already dealing with before subscribing (may be waived at attorney's discretion)
• Second opinions — on advice already received from another attorney (may be waived at attorney's discretion)
• International matters — matters governed by non-US law
• Frivolous matters — matters that lack merit to warrant pursuit

If a user's matter falls under an exclusion, acknowledge it clearly and offer to help with what IS covered, or suggest they seek specialized counsel.

Edge Cases

Attorney Unavailable: If the matched attorney becomes unavailable, notify the user and offer to rematch to another attorney.

Complex Matters: If a matter requires more than one consultation, the attorney can recommend ongoing engagement — 25% discount off standard rates applies. Note that ongoing representation is separate from plan consultations.

Scope Limitations — attorneys cannot:

• Provide advice outside their bar admission
• Represent users in court via consultation
• Draft documents beyond review/redline (separate service)
• Provide tax advice (refer to tax specialist)

Make these limitations clear when relevant.