Learning Objectives
By the end of this tutorial, you will:
- Understand how Claude Projects create persistent legal workspaces
- Set up Projects for different practice areas and matters
- Write effective custom instructions (your digital playbook)
- Manage client confidentiality with Project organization
- Organize in-house legal departments using Projects
- Implement case prioritization and resource allocation
- Conduct matter briefings and team handoffs
- Optimize document organization and naming conventions
Time Required: 45 minutes | Level: Beginner | No technical skills required
Understanding Claude Projects
What Are Projects?
Projects are persistent workspaces in Claude that maintain:
- Custom Instructions: Rules Claude follows in that Project
- Knowledge Base: Documents Claude can reference
- Conversation History: Past discussions on the matter
Why Projects Matter for Legal Work
| Without Projects | With Projects |
|---|---|
| Re-explain context every conversation | Context persists automatically |
| Re-upload documents repeatedly | Documents available within the Project while retained |
| Inconsistent advice across sessions | Consistent playbook applied |
| No separation between matters | Clean matter boundaries |
| Risk of cross-contamination | Isolated workspaces |
Projects vs. Harvey Vault / Legora Workspace
Harvey Vault: Centralized document storage with AI analysis Legora Workspace: Collaborative environment with saved workflows Claude Projects: Flexible workspace with full customization control
Claude's Advantage: You define exactly how Claude should behave—no rigid templates or workflows imposed by the vendor.
Project Architecture for Law Firms
Recommended Structure
Confidentiality Best Practices
DO:
- Use separate Projects for each client matter
- Use client codes instead of names if concerned
- Clear Project when matter closes
- Control who has access to Team Projects
DON'T:
- Mix multiple clients in one Project
- Upload documents from different matters together
- Leave sensitive Projects accessible after matter ends
- Use client names in Project titles on shared accounts
Creating Your First Project
Step-by-Step Setup
Step 1: Create the Project
- Open Claude (claude.ai or Desktop)
- Click "Projects" in sidebar
- Click "Create Project"
- Enter name:
[ClientCode] - Matter Description
Step 2: Write Custom Instructions
Custom instructions tell Claude how to behave in this Project. They're your digital playbook.
Template for Contract Review Project:
Step 3: Upload Knowledge Base Documents
Add documents Claude should reference:
- Your firm's standard contract templates
- Client's preferred positions document
- Relevant regulatory guidance
- Sample approved agreements for reference
Step 4: Test the Project
Start a conversation and verify Claude follows your instructions:
Custom Instructions Templates
Template: Litigation Support Project
Template: Legal Research Project
Template: Transaction Support Project
In-House Legal Department Organization
Setting Up Projects for Corporate Legal Teams
For in-house counsel, organize Projects by function:
Matter Intake Workflow
Create a Matter Intake Project with these custom instructions:
Business Partner Collaboration Framework
Add this guidance to relevant Projects:
Board Reporting Template
Create a Board Reporting Project with this structure:
Case Prioritization & Resource Allocation
AI-Recommended Matter Priority Framework
Create a Matter Prioritization Project with these instructions:
Resource Allocation Workflow
Use this prompt in your prioritization Project:
Deadline Management System
Create a Deadline Tracker Project:
Briefing & Catch-Up Workflows
Case Briefing on Return from Absence
Create a Matter Briefing Project for this use case:
Matter Overview Generation
Use this prompt for any Project:
Status Summary Prompts
Create quick-reference briefing prompts:
Team Handoff Documentation
Use this template when transitioning a matter:
Document Organization & Naming Conventions
AI-Suggested Naming Conventions
Create a Document Organization Project with this guidance:
Folder Structure Optimization
Transaction Folder Structure:
Litigation Folder Structure:
File Cleanup Workflows
Regular Cleanup Schedule:
Weekly:
- Delete working drafts (keep final versions only)
- Remove duplicate files
- Archive superseded versions
Monthly:
- Review and organize new documents
- Update folder structure if needed
- Remove access for departing team members
- Archive closed items
Quarterly:
- Full audit of matter folders
- Identify and remove obsolete materials
- Update document indexes
- Verify naming consistency
Cleanup Prompts for Claude:
Version Control Best Practices
Best Practices & Practical Exercises
Exercise 1: Set Up Your First Project with Prioritization
Task: Create a Project for managing 3-5 active matters
Instructions:
- List your active matters
- Create one master Project for matter management
- Add custom instructions including:
- Prioritization matrix from above
- Deadline tracking requirements
- Resource allocation framework
- Test with prompt: "Rank my current matters by priority: [list matters]. Consider deadlines, business impact, and complexity."
Exercise 2: Create a Matter Briefing Template
Task: Build a catch-up brief for a real matter
Instructions:
- Select a matter you recently returned to
- Create a dedicated Briefing Project
- Upload key documents to knowledge base
- Use the "Matter Briefing" prompt template
- Generate comprehensive catch-up brief
- Review for completeness and accuracy
Exercise 3: Organize Documents Using Naming Conventions
Task: Audit and reorganize a matter file
Instructions:
- Select a matter with multiple documents
- Create a list of current file names
- Propose new names using the framework above
- Create folder structure (transaction or litigation template)
- In Claude, ask: "Help me organize these files according to [type] best practices. Here are my current files: [list]. Suggest naming and folder structure."
- Implement the recommended structure
Exercise 4: Design In-House Legal Department Organization
Task: Create Projects matching your corporate structure
Instructions (for in-house counsel):
- Map your legal department functions
- Create Projects for each major function (governance, operations, compliance, IP, etc.)
- For each Project, write custom instructions including:
- Matter intake procedures
- Business partner collaboration guidelines
- Board reporting requirements
- Test with intake prompt: "New matter just came in: [description]. How should I handle this?"
Exercise 5: Implement Priority & Resource Allocation
Task: Set up your prioritization system
Instructions:
- List all current open matters
- Create Priority Project with instructions from above
- Upload matter list to knowledge base
- Add attorney availability information
- Ask Claude: "Please prioritize these matters and recommend resource allocation. Consider deadlines, complexity, business impact, and available capacity."
- Review recommendations and adjust as needed
Managing Projects Over Time
Updating Custom Instructions
As matters evolve, update your instructions:
- Add newly agreed terms as "acceptable"
- Update case status and key facts
- Add lessons learned from negotiations
- Incorporate new team members' preferences
Project Lifecycle
Phase 1: Setup (Matter opening)
- Create Project with detailed instructions
- Upload initial documents
- Test with calibration questions
Phase 2: Active Use (Matter ongoing)
- Regular conversations within Project
- Upload new documents as received
- Refine instructions based on feedback
- Update deadline and priority tracking
- Conduct periodic catch-up briefings
Phase 3: Archive (Matter closing)
- Export any needed conversation logs
- Document final outcomes in instructions
- Remove or redact sensitive materials
- Consider retention/deletion policy
- Archive in matter management system
Phase 4: Reuse (Templates)
- Create template from successful Project
- Strip client-specific information
- Use as starting point for similar matters
Team Collaboration with Projects
Claude Team Features
With Claude Team:
- Share Projects across team members
- Consistent instructions for practice groups
- Admin controls for access management
- Audit capabilities
Team plan pricing is set by Anthropic and may change. Verify current pricing on the official Claude site.
Collaboration Best Practices
Firm-Wide Playbooks:
- Create "template" Projects for common work types
- Partners/senior associates define standards
- Associates use pre-configured Projects
- Ensures consistency across the team
Matter-Specific Projects:
- Lead attorney creates and owns Project
- Team members given access as needed
- Single source of truth for matter context
- Clear handoff when staffing changes
Comparing to Enterprise Features
Claude Projects vs. Harvey Vault
| Feature | Claude Projects | Harvey Vault |
|---|---|---|
| Document storage | In-Project knowledge base | Centralized vault |
| Custom instructions | Fully customizable | Pre-built workflows |
| Search across docs | Within Project | Enterprise-wide |
| Setup time | Minutes | Days (implementation) |
| Customization | Unlimited | Limited to Harvey options |
When Enterprise Tools Make Sense
Choose Harvey/Legora when you need:
- Very large-scale bulk processing and cross-matter automation
- Enterprise SSO and compliance
- Cross-matter search and analytics
- Vendor management of AI infrastructure
- Pre-built integrations with your DMS
Choose Claude Projects when you need:
- Full control over AI behavior
- Cost-effective solution for smaller teams
- Rapid setup without IT involvement
- Flexibility to experiment with workflows
- Integration with your custom tools via API/MCP
Homework Before Tutorial 05
-
Create 5 Projects:
- One for a current matter
- One for matter prioritization/intake
- One for a practice area playbook
- One for legal research in your specialty
- One for document organization (if managing multiple matters)
-
Write detailed custom instructions for each
-
Upload 5+ documents to at least two Project knowledge bases
-
Test each Project with real work tasks:
- Matter prioritization analysis
- Catch-up briefing
- Document organization recommendations
- Deadline tracking
-
Iterate on instructions based on output quality
-
Document your naming conventions and folder structures for future reference
Quick Reference: Custom Instruction Elements
Next Steps
Continue to Tutorial 05: Building Custom Negotiation Playbooks to learn how to codify your firm's expertise into reusable AI-powered playbooks.
Previous: Tutorial 03: Document Analysis