WhatsApp chatbot for law firms
In the US most prospective clients call or text a firm. WhatsApp matters for the ones who prefer it, such as Spanish-speaking and international clients in immigration and family matters, and people who tap a WhatsApp button on your ads. A WhatsApp agent takes their intake details, books the consultation and keeps the client informed, without ever giving legal advice.
How can a law firm use WhatsApp with an AI agent?
Prospective clients who prefer WhatsApp message your WhatsApp Business number. The agent explains what the firm handles, asks the intake questions you approve, such as the matter type, key dates and the opposing party's name for a conflict check, and books a consultation with the right attorney. It does not assess the case or advise; it states that clearly and passes anything that needs judgment to the firm.
Intake
An intake that respects privilege and conflicts
Good WhatsApp intake asks for enough to route and conflict-check the matter, and no more. A typical sequence:
- What kind of matter is it (for example, immigration, divorce, a car accident)?
- Which state or country is it in?
- Any deadline or court date coming up?
- The name of the other party, for the conflict check.
- Best times for a consultation.
The agent tells the client not to send documents or a full account until the firm confirms it can take the matter. That protects the client and the firm.
Setup checklist
Before the firm's number goes live
- Verify the firm with Meta for WhatsApp Business API access, usually 24 to 48 hours.
- Upload practice-area descriptions, consultation fees and what to bring.
- Agree the disclaimer wording with your attorneys: no attorney-client relationship until engagement, no legal advice in chat.
- Write approved templates for consultation reminders and document requests.
- Keep SMS on the firm's main number, since most US clients text, and offer WhatsApp to clients who ask for it or message from your ads.
Meta bills its own template fees; replies within 24 hours of the client's message are free.
Professional rules
Staying inside professional conduct rules
Bar rules on advertising and solicitation apply to automated messages as they do to people. Only reply to people who contacted the firm or opted in, avoid statements that promise outcomes, and include whatever disclaimers your jurisdiction requires. Have a responsible attorney review the agent's scripts and a sample of transcripts each month. Keep a written record of who approved the scripts and when they were last reviewed.
Worked example
Three WhatsApp inquiries to an immigration practice
On a Sunday, an immigration firm's WhatsApp line receives three messages. The first asks about renewing a work visa that expires in five weeks; the agent collects the visa type, expiry date and employer name, flags the deadline as urgent and books Monday's first consultation. The second writes in Spanish asking about family petitions; the agent replies in Spanish, explains the consultation fee and books a slot with the Spanish-speaking attorney. The third asks whether the firm handles criminal defense; it does not, so the agent says so and shares the referral message the firm approved.
On Monday the intake team has two qualified, conflict-check-ready consultations and no unanswered messages.
See legal AI capture after-hours intake
Book a demo to map consultation booking or matter intake onto Botcadence with clear screening rules.
Common Questions
Law firm WhatsApp questions
No, and the agent says so at the start. The relationship begins only when the firm agrees to represent the client. Agree the exact disclaimer wording with your attorneys before launch.
It collects the names you need for one and sends them to your intake team. The check itself is run in your practice management system by your staff.
Only after the firm accepts the matter and only if your security policy allows it. Before then, the agent asks prospective clients not to send documents.
Chat agents can reply across 50 or more languages, which helps immigration and international family practices. Consultations still happen with an attorney, with an interpreter if needed.
Start with after-hours intake for one practice area
Pilot after-hours intake or consultation booking for one practice area, then add channels once your screening rules are right.
- Reader-first workflows
- Human handoff when needed
- Grounded in your content