diff --git a/backend/app/agents/lead_agent.py b/backend/app/agents/lead_agent.py
index 4972feb..111a9c4 100755
--- a/backend/app/agents/lead_agent.py
+++ b/backend/app/agents/lead_agent.py
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ from app.services.gemini_service import GeminiService
 
 class LeadAgent:
     """
-    Lead Agent - synthesizes specialist agent reviews into final verdict.
+    Lead Agent - synthesizes specialist agent reviews into a final summary.
 
     Applies the decision logic:
     - Financial promotion detected → Requires Manual Legal Review
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ In your summary:
         proof_type: Optional[str] = None,
     ) -> tuple[OverallStatus, str, str | None]:
         """
-        Synthesize specialist reviews into final verdict and summary.
+        Synthesize specialist reviews into final status and summary.
 
         Args:
             reviews: Dictionary mapping agent names to their SubReview results
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ In your summary:
         # Build the prompt for Gemini to generate summary
         prompt = f"""
 You are a Lead Agent responsible for auditing a marketing proof. You have received feedback from specialist AI agents.
-Your task is to provide a final verdict and write a concise, professional summary to the user.
+Your task is to determine the final status and write a concise, professional summary to the user.
 
 {metadata_context}
 
@@ -142,8 +142,14 @@ Your summary should:
 - For a 'Passed' status, mention any 'Amber' areas for consideration, if they exist, while maintaining an encouraging tone.
 
 **Response Format:**
-- Start with a one-line verdict statement
-- List key issues as bullet points (max 3-5 bullets)
+- IMPORTANT: The first line MUST follow this exact pattern based on the status:
+  - For 'Failed': "This proof has failed due to [brief description of the critical issues]."
+  - For 'Passed' (with amber items): "This proof has passed with minor considerations for [brief description]."
+  - For 'Passed' (clean): "This proof has passed all checks."
+  - For 'Analysis Error': "This proof could not be reliably processed."
+  - For 'Requires Manual Legal Review': "This proof requires manual legal review."
+- Do NOT prefix the opening line with "Verdict:", "Summary:", "Result:", or any other label.
+- Follow the opening line with bullet points listing the key actions (max 3-5 bullets)
 - Each bullet: one sentence, actionable
 - Do NOT include page numbers, document names, or source citations. Keep all feedback self-contained and actionable.
 - For 'Passed': briefly note any amber items in 1-2 bullets
@@ -159,7 +165,7 @@ Your summary should:
 Here are the specialist reviews:
 {self._format_reviews(reviews)}
 
-Now, provide your final verdict and summary as a JSON object.
+Now, provide your final status and summary as a JSON object.
 """
 
         result = await self.gemini.generate_summary(prompt)