Frequently Asked Questions

No. The redaction tool (Tab 1) processes your document entirely within your browser using JavaScript. Your text never leaves your device. We never see, access, or retain any document content. The disclosure generator (Tab 2) sends only your court and filing selections — never any document text — to generate disclosure language.

Nobody. The redaction happens entirely in your browser. No data is sent to any server. You are the only person who ever sees your document.

Only your selections: court type, state/jurisdiction, filing type, and AI tools used. No document content is ever transmitted. The generated disclosure text is returned to your browser and not retained by ClearCounsel.

ClearCounsel detects: Social Security Numbers, email addresses, phone numbers, specific dates, street addresses, court case numbers, and financial account data (account numbers, routing numbers, credit card numbers). More categories are planned for future versions.

ClearCounsel uses pattern-matching heuristics to detect common categories of sensitive data. It may not catch every instance — particularly proper names, proprietary terms, or context-specific identifiers. Always review the output manually before sharing with any AI tool. ClearCounsel is a first-pass protection layer, not a substitute for human review. The disclaimer on every output screen states this clearly.

Primarily ABA Model Rule 1.6 (Confidentiality of Information), which requires attorneys to make reasonable efforts to prevent unauthorized disclosure of client information. Using an AI tool that may train on your inputs without redacting client data first creates a potential Rule 1.6 issue. ClearCounsel addresses this directly. ABA Formal Opinion 477R on cybersecurity is also relevant.

The disclosure generator produces jurisdiction-aware language based on your court type, state, and filing type selection. Standing order requirements vary significantly by judge and court. The generated language is a compliant starting point — the supervising attorney must review it against any applicable standing orders before filing. We are building a standing order database to make this more precise in a future version.

ABA Model Rule 3.3 (Candor Toward the Tribunal) requires honesty in representations to courts. Many courts now have standing orders specifically requiring disclosure of AI use in filings. ABA Formal Opinion 512 (2024) addresses generative AI use in legal practice. ClearCounsel generates disclosure language aligned with these requirements.

ChatGPT (OpenAI), Claude (Anthropic), Microsoft Copilot, Westlaw AI, Lexis+ AI, Harvey, CoCounsel (Thomson Reuters), Gemini (Google), Paxton AI, Perplexity, and Other generative AI. More will be added based on user feedback — let us know what's missing.

ClearCounsel is independently built and designed around ABA Model Rules and formal opinions. It is not officially endorsed by the American Bar Association. We are actively pursuing bar association relationships and partnerships.

No. ClearCounsel is a productivity and compliance aid. It does not constitute legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. All generated content must be reviewed by a supervising attorney before use in any professional or legal context.

ClearCounsel is not a HIPAA Business Associate and does not position itself as a HIPAA-compliant solution for healthcare-related legal matters. Firms handling protected health information in legal documents should consult their compliance officer before using any AI compliance tool.

Yes — ClearCounsel is free to use right now with no login required. A paid Pro tier with additional features including PDF export and unlimited usage is coming. The free tier will always remain free.

Yes — the current free version has no user limits. Firm licensing with team seats, admin dashboards, and audit logs is in development. Join the waitlist to be first to know when firm plans are available.

No login required right now. Access the tool directly at tool.clearcounsel.app. User accounts are coming with the Pro tier.

Being careful takes 20 minutes and leaves no documented trail. ClearCounsel takes 20 seconds and creates a repeatable, documented workflow your firm can point to. When your managing partner asks how the team handles AI compliance, "we use ClearCounsel" is a better answer than "we try to be careful."