---
title: "Prepare court papers under a limited-scope retainer"
url: "https://ailawframework.com/practice/legal-aid-and-community-legal-practice/prepare-court-documents-for-a-client-under-a-drafting-only-retainer/united-states"
type: "task_jurisdiction_version"
site: "AI Law Framework"
id: "A54-E20261018-6-US"
practice_area: "Legal Aid & Community Legal Practice"
tier: "red"
lawyer_review: "required"
jurisdictions: ["US"]
last_reviewed: "2026-10-22"
---

# Prepare court papers under a limited-scope retainer

> List the claims the client wants in the paper and the facts in the file that support or contradict each claim. Write no sentence of the paper.

Canonical page: https://ailawframework.com/practice/legal-aid-and-community-legal-practice/prepare-court-documents-for-a-client-under-a-drafting-only-retainer/united-states  
Last reviewed: 2026-10-22

Site index for agents: https://ailawframework.com/llms.txt

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Practice area | [Legal Aid & Community Legal Practice](https://ailawframework.com/practice/legal-aid-and-community-legal-practice.md) |
| Human involvement | Red: Lawyer writes; AI may check, clarify or collect data |
| How AI is used | List the claims the client wants in the paper and the facts in the file that support or contradict each claim. Write no sentence of the paper. |
| What the lawyer must review | You write every sentence that is filed. Model Rule 1.2(c) allows a lawyer to limit the scope of the representation if the limitation is reasonable under the circumstances and the client gives informed consent. Rule 1.2(a) requires the lawyer to abide by the client's decisions on the objectives, to consult on the means, and to abide by the client's decision whether to settle. In a criminal case the lawyer abides by the client's decision, after consultation, on the plea, waiver of jury trial, and whether the client will testify. The model rule does not itself require the consent to be in writing. Some states do. That variation was not opened. Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 11(b) applies if you sign, file, submit or later advocate the paper: after a reasonable inquiry you certify the purpose, the legal contentions, the evidentiary support, and the denials. A limited-scope retainer does not remove that certification. ABA Formal Opinion 512 requires you to review generated citations and analysis before they go to a court, and to consult local rules on disclosure of a generative tool. No standing order on limited-scope drafting was opened. |
| Written for | United States |
| Applies to | [Prepare court documents for a client under a drafting-only retainer](https://ailawframework.com/practice/legal-aid-and-community-legal-practice/prepare-court-documents-for-a-client-under-a-drafting-only-retainer.md) |

## Checking plan

- What the AI does: List the claims the client wants in the paper and the facts in the file that support or contradict each claim. Write no sentence of the paper.
- Basis: Checked against the linked sources on 22 October 2026. Confirm the current instrument before reliance.

## Notes

- Do not state that the model requires written consent to a limited scope. Rule 1.2(c) requires informed consent. Whether the state requires a writing was not opened.
- If you do not sign, file, submit or later advocate the paper, say so in the retainer. Do not assume a court will accept an undisclosed drafting role. No local rule on that point was opened.

## Sources

- [ABA Model Rule 1.2, Scope of representation and allocation of authority](https://www.americanbar.org/groups/professional_responsibility/publications/model_rules_of_professional_conduct/rule_1_2_scope_of_representation_allocation_of_authority_between_client_lawyer/) (checked 2026-10-22)
- [Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 11, representations to the court and sanctions](https://www.law.cornell.edu/rules/frcp/rule_11) (checked 2026-10-22)
- [ABA Formal Opinion 512, Generative Artificial Intelligence Tools (29 July 2024)](https://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/administrative/professional_responsibility/ethics-opinions/aba-formal-opinion-512.pdf) (checked 2026-10-22)
- [ABA Model Rule 3.3, Candor toward the tribunal](https://www.americanbar.org/groups/professional_responsibility/publications/model_rules_of_professional_conduct/rule_3_3_candor_toward_the_tribunal/) (checked 2026-10-22)

*Practice guidance for planning and review. Confirm current primary sources and the requirements of the actual matter. This is general information, not legal advice.*