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Draft the reply to a long letter from opposing counsel in Claude, then adjust the tone

who Todd V. McMurtry, then a partner at Hemmer Wessels McMurtry PLLC (a 10-person firm in Fort Mitchell, Kentucky, which joined Finney Law Firm in 2026), in his Kentucky Bar Association president's column

The problem

Lengthy letters from opposing counsel need a careful written answer, and starting each one from a blank page takes time.

What happened

He says redrafting the tone "takes seconds" and that he saves "an hour or two every day" with these tools. He warns that free versions aren't confidential, so client information goes only into a paid version, and that all AI work has to be checked carefully. Self-reported.

Quoted in the source: Todd V. McMurtry, partner, Hemmer Wessels McMurtry PLLC. Source: Kentucky Bar Association Bench & Bar, Sep/Oct 2025: President's Page, The Artificial Intelligence Revolution (Todd V. McMurtry) (2025-09-01) · Added 2026-10-18.

How to set it up yourself

1. What the firm does: the lawyer pastes or uploads the incoming letter into Claude, says which party he represents, how he wants to respond and the key facts, asks for a responsive letter, then asks for a firmer or softer version until it fits.
2. Use a paid Claude (or ChatGPT) plan before any client information goes in; he warns that free versions aren't confidential. In Claude, create a project named "Correspondence" and upload your letterhead text and two replies you've sent before so drafts match your style.
3. Start a new chat in the project for each letter, upload the letter, and fill in the prompt below. Ask for changes in the same chat: "more firm", "less aggressive", "shorter", or "answer point 3 only".
4. Check every fact, date and legal point against the file and your own research before it goes out; any case or statute it mentions must be verified in your research service. Sign and send it yourself.

Copy-paste prompt

I represent {PLAINTIFF/DEFENDANT, CLIENT DESCRIPTION} in {MATTER TYPE}. Attached is a letter from opposing counsel dated {DATE}. How I want to respond: {YOUR POSITION AND GOAL, e.g. reject the demand but leave room to talk}. Key facts: {KEY FACTS}. Draft a responsive letter from me that answers each point they raise in order, stays professional, and doesn't concede anything I haven't listed. Don't cite cases or statutes; put [AUTHORITY] where I need to add one. After the draft, list the points in their letter you weren't sure how to answer.

Tools used

Some tool links may be affiliate links. Disclosure

Checked prices: Claude: from $17/mo billed annually ($20 monthly) (verified 2026-10-18) · ChatGPT: from Free $0; Go $8/mo; Plus $20/mo; Pro $100/mo (verified 2026-10-17)

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