Use Microsoft Copilot in Word to Draft Legal Documents

What This Does

Copilot in Word can draft a first version of a document from your instructions, summarize a long document you need to review, and rewrite sections in a different tone, all without leaving Word.

Before You Start

• You have Microsoft Word open (desktop or web; Copilot works in both)
• Your Microsoft 365 plan includes Copilot (most organizations buy the Copilot add-on, smaller ones may have free basic access, and Microsoft 365 Personal, Family, or Premium covers individuals; ask IT if you're not sure)
• You know what document you need to create or what you need to do with an existing one

Steps

1. Find Copilot in Word

Open Word. The Copilot icon now sits in the lower-right corner of the document window; Microsoft moved it off the Home ribbon in 2026. Press F6 to jump to it, or right-click it and choose Move to ribbon if you prefer the old placement.

2. Draft a new document

For a new document: select the Draft with Copilot icon on the canvas (or open the Copilot pane from the corner icon). Type your instructions in plain language, then select the Generate arrow. Example: "Draft a cover letter to accompany document production to opposing counsel. We are producing 847 documents pursuant to Plaintiff's First Set of Requests for Production in [Case Name]." Copilot writes a complete draft.

3. Summarize an existing document

For a document you need to review: Open the document → open Copilot from the corner icon → type "Summarize this document." Copilot produces a bulleted or paragraph summary of the document's key points. For a 30-page contract, this gives you the gist in seconds.

4. Refine the output

After Copilot drafts, you can ask it to refine: "Make this more formal," "Shorten the third paragraph," "Add a section about the privilege log," or "Change the tone to be more direct." Each request updates the draft in place.

Real Example

Scenario: You need to draft a transmittal letter for a document production and a summary of a new 45-page vendor agreement.

Drafting: Type "Draft a document production transmittal letter to James Chen at Opposing Firm. We're producing 847 documents with Bates numbers ABC-000001 through ABC-000847 in response to their first requests for production."

What you get: Complete transmittal letter with proper structure, reference to Bates numbers, a statement that production is made subject to a confidentiality agreement, and a signature block placeholder.

Summarizing: Open the 45-page vendor agreement → open Copilot from the corner icon → ask for a summary.

What you get: A 300-word summary of the agreement's key terms, including contract duration, payment terms, limitation of liability clause, termination rights, and governing law.

Tips

• Copilot doesn't have access to your case management system; provide key facts directly in your instructions
• For templates: paste your firm's standard template structure and tell Copilot to "fill in this template with these facts: [facts]"
• If the draft misses something, use the chat to add: "Add a section noting we reserve the right to supplement this production"

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