Email to Case: A Privacy-First Approach

Most legal tech platforms want full access to your inbox. They sync every email, scan for case-related content, and automatically categorize your correspondence. Convenient? Maybe. But is it the right approach for lawyers handling privileged communications?

We built LawCentral's email features differently. Here's why — and how to use them.

The Problem with Full Inbox Sync

When you connect your email to platforms like Clio, PracticePanther, or Smokeball, you typically grant them broad permissions. This means they can:

• Read every email in your inbox (past, present, and future)
• Scan email content for automatic case matching
• Access attachments, including privileged documents
• Store copies of your emails on their servers

For lawyers, this raises serious concerns:

1. Attorney-client privilege — Are you comfortable with a third party scanning your privileged communications?
2. Data security — If the platform is breached, your entire email history is exposed
3. Compliance — Some bar associations have guidelines about cloud storage of privileged data
4. Client consent — Did your clients agree to their communications being processed by AI?

Our Approach: You Control What Enters

LawCentral never connects to your inbox. Instead, we give you control:

1. Forward Emails You Choose

Each case in LawCentral has a unique forwarding address:

case-abc123@inbox.lawcentral.ai

When you receive an email relevant to a case, forward it (or BCC) to this address. The email is:

• Saved to your case file
• Summarized by AI for quick scanning
• Attached with any files included

You decide which emails enter the system. Privileged strategy discussions with co-counsel? Keep them in your inbox. Client communications about the case? Forward them in.

This works with any email provider — Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, or any client that supports forwarding.

2. Draft Emails with AI

Use the /email command in Case Agent:

/email draft a letter to opposing counsel requesting
an extension for filing the written statement

The AI uses your case context — parties, court, deadlines, previous correspondence — to draft a professional email. It provides compose links for both Gmail and Outlook so you can:

• Open the draft in your preferred email client
• Review and edit it
• Send when ready

We never auto-send anything.

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How to Use It

Step 1: Get Your Case Email Address

Open any case and look for the Email to Case card. You'll see an address like:

case-9f4d4d5f@inbox.lawcentral.ai

Click Copy to copy it to your clipboard.

Step 2: Start Forwarding

When relevant emails arrive:

1. Open the email in your mail client
2. Click Forward
3. Paste the case email address
4. Send

The email will appear in your case within seconds, complete with an AI-generated summary.

Pro tip: Add the case email to BCC when sending emails. This automatically logs your outgoing correspondence without any extra steps.

Step 3: Draft with /email

In Case Agent, use the /email command:

/email follow up with the client about the settlement offer we discussed

The agent will:

1. Use case context to personalize the email
2. Draft professional correspondence
3. Give you Gmail and Outlook compose links
4. You review, edit, and send from your email client

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can you read my inbox?

No. LawCentral never connects to your email account. We have zero access to your inbox.

Q: What happens to forwarded emails?

They're stored encrypted in your case file. Only you and your team (if you have one) can access them.

Q: Can I use this with Outlook or other email providers?

Yes! Both forwarding and the /email command work with any email provider.

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The Trade-Off

Yes, this approach requires more manual work than full inbox sync. You have to forward emails yourself instead of having them auto-categorized.

But we believe this trade-off is worth it for lawyers. You maintain control over privileged communications, reduce your attack surface, and can confidently tell clients that their emails aren't being scanned by third-party AI.

Privacy isn't just a feature. For lawyers, it's a professional obligation.

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Get Started

1. Open any case and copy the email address
2. Start forwarding relevant emails
3. Use the /email command to draft correspondence

/email draft a professional email to [recipient] about [topic]

Questions? Reach out to us at support@lawcentral.ai.