---
title: "Client status updates for lawyers: a template and a cadence"
url: https://thematteros.com/blog/client-status-updates-for-lawyers
updated: 2026-10-27
author: Raghav Handa
---

# Client status updates for lawyers: a template and a cadence

A good client status update has five parts: what happened, what is next, what you need from the client, what the client can expect and by when, and when you will next update them. Send it on a set cadence by matter type, rather than waiting for the client to ask.

## Key takeaways

- Updates on a schedule reduce inbound status calls more than faster replies do.
- Use five fixed parts so every update is short and complete.
- Choose a cadence by matter type and tell the client what it is at engagement.
- Log every update on the matter so the last-update date is visible in review.

## What should a client status update include?

Clients call for status when they do not know what is happening. The fix is a predictable update that answers the questions they would otherwise ask. Five parts cover it.

| Part | Purpose | Example |
| --- | --- | --- |
| What happened | Progress since last update | We filed the response on 12 March. |
| What is next | The next step and who does it | The other side has 28 days to reply. |
| What we need from you | Their action, with a date | Please send the signed statement by Friday. |
| What to expect | Timing and uncertainty, honestly | A decision is not expected before May; we will tell you if that changes. |
| Next update | When they will hear from you | I will write again on 2 April or sooner if something moves. |


## Here is a template you can copy

Client update template: Subject: [Matter name] - update [date]. Hello [name], here is where things stand. Since my last update: [what happened]. Next: [next step, who, when]. What I need from you: [action and date, or 'nothing this time']. What to expect: [timing and any uncertainty]. I will next update you on [date]. If anything urgent comes up before then, call me. [Signature]

Write it in plain language, avoid unexplained jargon, and keep it to what fits on one screen. Do not include confidential detail in channels the client has not agreed to use.


## How often should you update clients?

Agree a cadence at engagement and put it in the engagement letter or first email. The right cadence depends on how fast the matter moves, not how anxious the client is. The table below is a starting point to adjust, not a rule.

| Matter type | Starting cadence | Plus |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Fast, deadline-driven (e.g. a hearing next week) | Every few days | Immediately after each event |
| Steady, active work | Every two weeks | At each milestone |
| Slow, waiting on a court or authority | Monthly | When anything changes, and a 'nothing yet' note |
| Dormant or on hold | Quarterly check-in | When the revisit date arrives |

The 'nothing yet' update matters. A two-line message saying nothing has changed and why prevents the call that costs you fifteen minutes.


## How do you make updates sustainable?

1. Store the cadence: Put 'Update every' and 'Last update' on the matter record.
2. Surface overdue updates: A view of matters where last update is older than the cadence, reviewed weekly.
3. Draft from the record: Use the matter's recent actions and notes as the source; an AI assistant can draft from them, but you read and send.
4. Log it: Paste or link the sent update on the matter.

- Weekly matter review: https://thematteros.com/blog/weekly-matter-review-agenda
- Law firm client portals: https://thematteros.com/blog/law-firm-client-portal-in-notion


## When is a portal better than an email?

If clients frequently ask 'where are we?', a client-safe status page they can check anytime reduces the questions. Email still carries advice and decisions. Use a portal for status and documents, email for judgement.

- Client portal guide: https://thematteros.com/resources/client-portal-guide


## Where does MatterOS fit?

MatterOS includes a client-update prompt in the AI prompt pack that drafts an update from the matter record, and a client-safe status page approach. You review every draft before sending. Check Notion's sharing settings and your professional rules before exposing any client page.

- Client portal in Notion: https://thematteros.com/features/client_portal
- MatterOS overview: https://thematteros.com/product


## FAQ

### How often should a lawyer update a client?

Agree a cadence at engagement based on how fast the matter moves: every few days for urgent work, every two weeks for steady work, monthly when waiting on a court or authority. Update immediately after significant events.

### What should a client update email contain?

What happened, what is next, what you need from the client and by when, what they should expect on timing, and when you will next update them. Keep it in plain language and short enough to read on a phone.

### Do lawyers have a duty to keep clients informed?

Professional conduct rules in most jurisdictions require reasonable communication about the status of the matter. The exact wording and detail vary, so check your regulator's rules and guidance.

### Should I send an update when nothing has changed?

Yes, briefly. A short message saying there is no change and what you are waiting for stops the client assuming nothing is happening and removes the need for them to chase you.

### Can I use AI to write client updates?

You can use it to draft from your matter record, but you must review the text for accuracy and tone and watch confidentiality: check what the tool does with data. The lawyer remains responsible for what is sent.