# Matter review

**Ask for this when:** you want a quick status check on one specific
matter or client.

> "How's matter 00003-Smith doing?"
> "What's going on with the Johnson file?"
> "Give me a status check on this client."

## What it shows you

Tell it a matter number or a client name (it searches Clio and asks you
which one if several fit), and it pulls together a short snapshot:

- **The matter itself** - status, open date, responsible attorney, practice
  area, the client, related contacts (opposing counsel, adjusters, and so
  on), open tasks with due dates, and what's been logged on it recently.
- **Filing status** - how many recent emails for that matter are already
  filed, unfiled, or need your judgment.
- **Billing status** - how many pieces of evidence look covered by a time
  entry vs. possibly missing one.

If nothing turns up for the matter you named, it will say so plainly - that
usually means there's been no recent email activity tied to it, not that
the matter itself is wrong or doesn't exist in Clio.

If the recent correspondence or an open task carries a legal question
you will have to research, it names it and offers to write the Vincent
prompt (see the research-brief guide).

## What it can't do

- **Documents and billing totals aren't included.** It shows the matter's
  record, contacts, tasks, and communications, but not the document list
  or what's been invoiced - Clio is still the place for those.
- **Naming the matter by number is exact; naming it by client is a best
  effort.** Both halves are narrowed to the one matter before anything
  comes back, so the snapshot stays short even on a busy mailbox. If you
  only give a client name, the assistant has to match that name to a
  matter itself and will say so if more than one could fit. Emails from
  that client that Clio couldn't tie to the matter (an address that isn't
  on the contact, say) won't show up in the snapshot.
- **If you ask something it can't see** (a document, an invoice), it will
  tell you that plainly and point you to Clio, rather than guessing.
- **It's a snapshot, not an action.** If something here needs follow-up -
  filing an email, looking into a billing gap - it will point you to
  [email filing review](/docs/email-filing-review) or
  [billing review](/docs/billing-review) rather than trying to handle it here.