Cleveland State University College of Law (CSU|LAW) has taken a significant step forward in legal education by introducing a new course titled ‘Fundamentals of Prompt Engineering for Lawyers.’ This specialized training program, developed in partnership with AltaClaro, an experiential legal training platform, is designed to equip law students with foundational skills in AI and its application in legal workflows.
The program is part of CSU|LAW’s broader AI strategy, aiming to prepare future lawyers to use AI tools responsibly and effectively. The initiative also includes the formation of a new AI Advisory Council, comprising leaders from legal practice, technology, and innovation sectors.
Course Offering Details
– The prompt engineering course is offered as an extra-curricular certificate program available to all CSU|LAW students.
– Due to high demand, the course will run three times during the academic year: beginning with a winter session in January, a spring break/mini-term session, and an early summer term.
– Within the first week of announcing the winter program, more than 130 students enrolled, highlighting the keen interest and demand for AI education in the legal sector.
Curriculum and Certification
The course curriculum focuses on:
– Practical techniques for working with generative AI tools.
– Understanding AI’s limitations within legal practice.
– Embedding verification and professional judgment into AI-assisted legal workflows.
Upon completion, students receive a certificate from AltaClaro, which they can list on LinkedIn and resumes, recognizing their foundational training in prompt engineering and the professional use of generative AI tools in legal settings.
Expanding AI Education
Other educational institutions in the U.S., such as Vanderbilt University, have also started offering courses in prompt engineering, signaling a growing trend in integrating AI education within traditional curricula.
Brian Ray, co-interim dean at CSU College of Law, emphasized the importance of the course, stating, ‘Providing this course to our students represents the cornerstone of a broader strategy to integrate responsible and effective generative AI training into our legal education curriculum. Our goal is for employers to know that CSU|LAW graduates are entering the profession prepared to use these powerful tools thoughtfully, ethically, and competently.’
CSU|LAW’s Reputation and Partnerships
This initiative builds on CSU|LAW’s established reputation at the intersection of law and technology. The college is known for its nationally recognized work through the Center for Cybersecurity & Privacy Protection, which integrates law, technology, and business in multidisciplinary programs. The new AI course complements CSU|LAW’s technology-forward curriculum, which includes the Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Certificate and the Intellectual Property Certificate.
CSU|LAW partnered with AltaClaro after recognizing its innovative experiential learning framework and national reputation as a leading training provider for top law firms, including Orrick Herrington & Sutcliff, K&L Gates, Husch Blackwell, and Benesch, a Cleveland-headquartered Am Law 200 firm that employs many CSU|LAW graduates. AltaClaro’s courses combine self-study modules, hands-on simulated client assignments, and live review sessions with seasoned practitioners.
Abdi Shayesteh, founder and CEO of AltaClaro, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, ‘We are excited to partner with CSU|LAW on this forward-thinking initiative. CSU|LAW is demonstrating leadership by proactively preparing students for the realities of AI-enabled legal practice, not just by introducing the technology, but through a focus on judgment, rigor, and practical application.’
CSU|LAW’s commitment to integrating AI into its legal education underscores the growing importance of technology proficiency for future legal professionals. By offering this prompt engineering course, CSU|LAW ensures that its graduates are well-equipped to navigate the evolving landscape of AI in the legal sector.
Note: This article is inspired by content from https://legaltechnology.com/2026/01/19/cleveland-state-university-college-of-law-rolls-out-prompt-engineering-course-for-lawyers/. It has been rephrased for originality. Images are credited to the original source.