Build Arguments in Clio Work

From the Vincent tab in Clio Work, the Build an Argument workflow is designed to help you move from research to advocacy by constructing a formal legal position. By synthesising the facts of your matter with authoritative legal research, Vincent helps you draft the foundation for motions, briefs, and internal strategy memos.

When to use Build Arguments

This workflow is optimised for the transition from discovery to advocacy. You can use it during the following phases of your practice:

• Draft motions and briefs: Use Vincent to generate the initial structure and supporting points for complex filings.
• Test legal theories: Input a potential argument and see how well it is supported by your current evidence and the Clio Library.
• Internal strategy memos: Quickly summarise the strength of your case for partners or clients based on the synthesised facts and law.

Build an Argument with Vincent

The Build arguments workflow is designed to combine your matter-specific documents and legal research into a coherent legal position.

1. Click the Vincent tab in the left navigation panel of Clio Work.
2. Click the Select Matter dropdown and search for your matter to give Vincent access to your case facts and previous research.
3. Click the Litigation category filter at the top to find and select the Build an Argument workflow card.
4. Enter the specific legal proposition or conclusion you wish to support.
   • Example: "Argue that the plaintiff failed to mitigate damages in this breach of contract matter."
5. Select the relevant jurisdiction under the text box to ground your argument in applicable law.
6. Click the blue arrow submit icon to start the analysis.
7. Optional: Click Add Documents in the prompt box to select specific files from your computer or Clio Manage that contain the facts supporting your position.

Understand the argument structure

When Vincent AI builds an argument, it organises the output into a structured format to assist your drafting process:

• Executive summary: A brief overview of the core legal argument.
• Supporting points: A list of specific claims or defenses supported by evidence.
• Fact integration: Direct references to the documents you uploaded to the matter.
• Legal authorities: Verified citations from the Clio Library (case law, statutes) that provide the legal basis for each point. See Understand Clio Work Case Law Analysis and Citators for more on verified citations. 

Refine and export arguments

Once Vincent generates the initial argument, you can continue to refine and save your work.

Refine your position

• Ask follow-up questions: Type instructions to emphasise a specific fact or find counterarguments to strengthen the position.
• Edit the Legal Authorities: Use the Modify List option to exclude specific resources and trigger Vincent to regenerate the response.

Export the results

• Download results: Click the download icon to save your argument as a Word document or PDF for final review and drafting.
• Save to Clio Manage: Use the save icon to attach the argument results directly to your matter in Clio Manage for firm-wide access.