Worked example: a law firm's SMS scripts
A litigation firm writes three scripts. The intake consent script, read by staff when a prospective client calls: "May Ostrander & Lee Law text you about your consultation and case status at this number? Message frequency varies. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help or STOP to opt out. Do you agree?" The appointment template: "Ostrander & Lee Law: Reminder: consultation tomorrow at 10am. Reply C to confirm."
The case update template deliberately avoids confidential details: "Ostrander & Lee Law: There is a new update in your client portal." The firm keeps an attorney-advertising disclaimer off transactional messages and reserves it for any marketing, which it only sends to clients who opted in to it.
Who This Is For / Who It Is Not For
Who this is for: Operators, compliance, and vendors implementing the workflows described in this article. Who this is not for: Readers seeking guarantees, invented fine amounts, or universal fee/MPS figures.
Definitions
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| A2P / Non-Consumer messaging | Business-originated application traffic |
| Consent evidence | Stored proof of opt-in disclosures and assent |
| STOP/HELP | Standard consumer care and opt-out keywords |
| CSP | Communications service provider submitting registrations |
| Primary source | Carrier PDF, IRS page, or CFR text cited in sources |
Short answer: “Legal SMS scripts” in practice means disclosure-complete enrollment copy, confirmation/HELP/STOP autoreplies, and message templates that match your registered Campaign—not courtroom pleadings. Use the illustrative blocks below as drafting aids. They are not attorney-approved for your facts. Marketing programs still need a TCPA prior express written consent analysis under 47 CFR § 64.1200.
Core Disclaimer Elements to Reuse
Borrow from Twilio’s 30924 passing examples and CTIA confirmation themes:
- Brand / program name
- Message type (alerts, reminders, promos)
- Frequency or “Message frequency varies”
- “Message and data rates may apply”
- STOP instructions
- HELP / care path
- Privacy and terms links (web CTAs)
Related: msg & data rates disclosure.
Web / App Opt-In Checkbox Scripts (Illustrative)
Informational appointment texts:
☐ I agree to receive appointment confirmation and reminder texts from [Brand]. Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply. Reply STOP to unsubscribe. Terms: [url]. Privacy: [url].
Marketing / offers:
☐ I agree to receive recurring automated marketing text messages from [Brand] at the number provided. Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply. Consent is not a condition of purchase. Reply STOP to cancel. Terms: [url]. Privacy: [url].
Keep checkboxes unchecked by default.
Confirmation SMS Scripts
After web opt-in (single):
[Brand]: You’re subscribed to order updates. Msg frequency varies. Msg & data rates may apply. HELP for help, STOP to cancel.
Double opt-in challenge:
[Brand]: Reply YES to confirm SMS deals. Msg frequency varies. Msg & data rates may apply. STOP to cancel.
After YES:
[Brand]: Confirmed. You’ll get promo alerts. Msg frequency varies. Msg & data rates may apply. HELP for help, STOP to cancel.
HELP and STOP Autoreplies
HELP:
[Brand]: For support, visit [url] or call [phone]. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply STOP to cancel.
STOP:
[Brand]: You’re unsubscribed and will receive no further messages. Reply HELP for help.
Honor STOP, END, CANCEL, UNSUBSCRIBE, QUIT where your carrier/CSP requires universal keywords (see T-Mobile Code of Conduct themes).
Operational Message Samples for Campaign Registration
Care / reminder:
[Brand]: Reminder — appointment [day] at [time]. Reply HELP for help, STOP to opt out. Msg & data rates may apply.
Account notice:
[Brand]: Your order [ID] shipped. Track: [link]. Reply STOP to opt out of order texts.
Marketing:
[Brand]: This weekend only — [offer]. Msg frequency varies. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply STOP to cancel.
Use brackets for variables in registration samples per Twilio guidance in collect business info.
Privacy One-Liner for Policies
Twilio’s 30908 passing example theme:
We do not share, sell, or provide your mobile phone number or messaging consent data to third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes.
Adapt with counsel; remove contradictory “we share with marketing partners” clauses for SMS opt-in data.
Scripts to Avoid
- Pre-checked “I agree to texts” buried in T&Cs only
- “By providing a number you agree to unlimited marketing forever”
- Sharing consent across unrelated brands
- Promo CTAs missing frequency or rates
- HELP replies with no care contact path
Putting Scripts Into Campaign message_flow
When you paste CTA language into TCR/CSP forms, narrate the path:
“Consumer visits https://brand.example/sms, leaves the unchecked box labeled ‘[full checkbox text]’, submits the form, then receives confirmation SMS: ‘[template]’.”
Reviewers should be able to recreate the journey without guessing.
How MyTCRPlus Can Help
Paste your draft CTAs into MyTCRPlus validators on tools to catch missing frequency/rates/STOP elements before Campaign submission.
Risk and Failure Modes
| Risk | Mitigation |
|---|---|
| Ignoring primary sources | Read the PDF/IRS page your CSP enforces |
| Mixing regimes | Keep tax, FEC, TCR, TCPA checklists separate |
| Script drift | Version control and mystery-shop |
| Missing STOP | Configure platform defaults + QA |
Implementation Checklist
| Step | Owner | Artifact |
|---|---|---|
| Read primary source | Compliance | Annotated PDF/URL |
| Update scripts/pages | Marketing/Web | Screenshots |
| Train staff | Ops | Attendance log |
| QA controls | QA | Test results |
| File/register if needed | Ops | IDs/status |
| Quarterly re-read | Compliance | Calendar |
Key Takeaways
- Use authoritative sources cited in the front matter.
- Separate legal, tax, and carrier tracks.
- Version scripts and disclosures.
- Test consumer control keywords.
- Keep an evidence pack ready.
FAQ
Are these scripts “court-ready legal scripts”?
No. They are compliance-oriented drafting examples for SMS programs. Have counsel review for your industry and states.
Can one disclaimer cover voice and SMS?
You can reuse themes, but SMS CTAs need mobile-specific rates/STOP language, and call recording has separate rules.
Do I need “consent not a condition of purchase” always?
It is a common TCPA marketing consent element. Confirm with counsel whether your capture mechanism requires it.
Should every outbound SMS repeat the full disclaimer?
Not always—enrollment and confirmation carry the heavy lift—but include brand identity and periodic STOP reminders per carrier best practices.
Disclaimer
These scripts are educational illustrations only. They do not create an attorney-client relationship and are not a substitute for legal review.