Use Microsoft Copilot to Summarize Email Threads

Tool:Microsoft Outlook

AI Feature:Copilot in Outlook

Time:10-15 minutes

Difficulty:Beginner

AI Feature: Copilot in Outlook

What This Does

Copilot in Outlook reads long email threads across a case or client matter and produces a concise summary of what was discussed, decisions made, and open action items — without you reading every message.

Before You Start

You have Outlook open (desktop app or web version at outlook.com)
Your Microsoft 365 plan includes Copilot (available with M365 Business Standard/Premium or Copilot add-on)
You're looking at an email thread with multiple messages

Steps

1. Find the Copilot button in Outlook

Open the email thread you want to summarize. In the Outlook desktop app, look for the Copilot icon (sparkle/star) in the reading pane toolbar — it typically appears at the top right of the email. In Outlook web, look for the Copilot icon in the email toolbar or right-click the thread and select "Summarize with Copilot."

2. Click "Summarize this thread"

Click the Copilot icon and choose "Summarize" or "Summarize this conversation." Copilot will read the entire thread and generate a summary, typically in 5–10 seconds.

3. Review the summary

Copilot returns a paragraph or bulleted summary showing: the key discussion points, what each party agreed to or requested, and any outstanding action items. Review it quickly against what you remember from the thread.

4. Use the result

Copy the summary into a case note in Clio, paste it into a status memo, or use it as the starting point for a client update email. You can also ask Copilot follow-up questions: "What did opposing counsel request?" or "What action items are still open?"

Real Example

Scenario: A 28-email thread about discovery in a commercial dispute has been going back and forth for two weeks. You need to brief the supervising attorney on where things stand.

What you do: Click Copilot → Summarize.

What you get:

Prompt

"This thread covers the discovery dispute in Smith v. Acme Corp. Key points: (1) Opposing counsel objected to 3 of the 5 document requests on overbreadth grounds; (2) Your firm agreed to narrow RFP #2 and #4 to the 2019–2022 date range; (3) Opposing counsel agreed to produce by March 28; (4) Open item: decision needed on whether to press RFP #7 or withdraw it."

You now have a complete briefing in 30 seconds instead of 20 minutes.

Tips

Works best on threads with 10+ messages — shorter threads you can read faster anyway
Use Copilot's follow-up chat to ask specific questions: "What was the final agreed production deadline?"
If a thread involves multiple matters mixed together, open each matter's dedicated thread separately for cleaner summaries

Tool interfaces change — if a button has moved, look for similar AI/smart options in the same menu area.