Use Cases + Implementation

How do you build legal assistants with an OpenAI-compatible API?

An OpenAI-compatible API fits legal teams because it changes configuration, not architecture: point the SDK at api.plugsky.com and use /v1/chat/completions for summarisation, comparison and drafting, plus JSON mode for structured clause extraction. Streaming and function calling are live, so existing legal tech integrations keep working while gaining one endpoint and flat monthly pricing.

Key facts

API compatibilityDrop-in /v1/chat/completions with streaming, JSON mode and function calling (live)
Structured extractionJSON mode for clause type, position and risk flags
Models30+ models behind one endpoint, route extraction and synthesis separately
MigrationBase URL and model-name change; document pipeline unchanged
PricingFlat monthly plans with unlimited fair-use usage on self-serve
ControlsScoped keys, RBAC, SSO/SCIM and SIEM-exportable audit logs
ResidencyRegion-locked planes, VPC, on-prem and air-gapped options
Free tierplugsky-micro and plugsky-lite on the free plan, no card required

TL;DR

  • Keep your legal tech stack; change the base URL and model names.
  • Use JSON mode for clause extraction so reviews compare structured records.
  • Wrap comparisons and calculations in tools rather than trusting free text.
  • Keep output labelled as a draft and route every matter through lawyer review.
  • Validate on closed matters before any live traffic touches client files.

How it works, step by step

  1. Centralise the model client so base URL, key and model names are configuration.
  2. Define JSON schemas for each extraction task — clause type, position, obligation, risk flag, source paragraph.
  3. Set the base URL to https://api.plugsky.com/v1 with a team-scoped key and map model names per task.
  4. Run the pipeline on closed matters and diff structured extractions against lawyer-reviewed results.
  5. Add reviewer gates in the interface so every output is accepted, edited or rejected with a reason.
  6. Switch live traffic behind a flag and keep the previous provider path for rollback.
  7. Review retention, key scopes and residency with risk and compliance before expanding practice areas.
1Centralise themodel client sobase URL, key and2Define JSON schemasfor each extractiontask — clause type,3Set the base URL tohttps://api.plugsky.com/v1with a team-scoped4Run the pipeline onclosed matters anddiff structured5Add reviewer gatesin the interface soevery output is6Switch live trafficbehind a flag andkeep the previous

Try it yourself

Open the function calling schema generator →

Legal technology stacks are heterogeneous and slow to change, which makes compatibility valuable. An OpenAI-shaped endpoint slots into existing integrations without new SDKs: summarise a memo, compare two drafts, answer a question over an agreement or extract clause data. Streaming, JSON mode and function calling are live, covering the operations legal tooling actually needs.

Managed conveniences are on the way rather than available now: files, batch, fine-tuning and assistants-style endpoints are coming soon. Until then, document storage, bulk processing and conversation state stay in your own systems — usually the preferred arrangement for privileged material anyway.

Structured extraction for contracts

Free-text answers are hard to review at volume; structured records are easy. Define a schema per document type — clause type, position taken, obligations, dates, risk flags and the source paragraph — and require JSON output. Reviewers then scan a table rather than reread the contract, and quality can be measured field by field.

  • Schema versioning: treat extraction schemas as code and version them alongside prompts.
  • Validation: reject records with missing or out-of-range fields instead of repairing them silently.
  • Provenance: require the source paragraph in every record so reviewers can verify in context.
  • Calculations: dates, notice periods and monetary totals belong in tools, not model arithmetic.

Confidentiality, keys and review

Confidentiality requirements shape deployment. Use team-scoped keys with least privilege, avoid sending full documents when a clause suffices, and log each request with enough metadata for an audit without duplicating privileged content into logs. Pin the workspace to a region-locked plane, or run VPC, on-prem or air-gapped when client files cannot leave the firm's environment.

Roll out on closed matters first: compare structured extractions and drafts against lawyer-reviewed results, and track acceptance, edit and rejection rates. Because the API is OpenAI-compatible and the base URL lives in configuration, rollback is a deploy. Expand practice area by practice area, and keep the human sign-off explicit in every workflow.

Honest comparison

AspectPlugskyStaying on OpenAIPoint legal AI tool
Client changeBase URL and model names onlyNoneNew vendor integration
Structured outputJSON mode for clause recordsAvailableVendor-defined schema
Model choice30+ models behind one endpointOpenAI catalogue onlyFixed model
PricingFlat monthly with unlimited fair use on self-servePer-tokenSeat or matter pricing
ResidencyRegion choice, VPC, on-prem, air-gappedLimited optionsUsually cloud-only

Frequently asked questions

Will our existing legal tech integration work?

If it uses OpenAI-style chat completions, yes — change the base URL and model names. Request and response shapes stay compatible, so parsing and retry logic carry over.

Is JSON mode suitable for clause extraction?

Yes, and it is the recommended pattern. Extract into a versioned schema with a source paragraph field, validate every record and reject malformed output rather than repairing it.

Can the assistant calculate dates and notice periods?

Put calculations in tools and let the model call them. Deterministic code is auditable; arithmetic inside the model is neither verifiable nor reliable enough for contracts.

Does it replace lawyer review?

No. The assistant prepares, extracts and drafts; qualified lawyers review and own the advice. Every output should be labelled a draft for verification.

How do we protect privileged material?

Scope keys per team, send only needed passages, keep documents in your systems, and pin deployment to a region or run on-prem where privilege rules require it.

What is coming for document-heavy workflows?

Files, batch, fine-tuning and assistants-style endpoints are coming soon. For now, keep bulk document processing in your own pipeline and use the live chat endpoint.

How do we start?

Use the free plan's plugsky-micro and plugsky-lite models with no card on closed matters, validate structured output, then move to a paid plan or the 14-day full-access trial.