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Thomson Reuters Westlaw is a versatile and comprehensive legal research platform with a range of use cases. Users, including personal …
Starting at $115 per month
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What is Thomson Reuters Westlaw?
Westlaw, now supported by Thomson Reuters is a legal research software and database, emphasizing access to a breadth of case law.
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Pricing
Westlaw Edge Single State Essentials
$115.00
Cloud
per month
Westlaw Edge Single State Primary Law
$183.20
Cloud
per month
Westlaw Edge Single State Primary Law
$237.00
Cloud
per month
Entry-level set up fee?
- No setup fee
For the latest information on pricing, visithttps://sales.legalsolutions.thomsonreu…
Offerings
- Free Trial
- Free/Freemium Version
- Premium Consulting/Integration Services
Starting price (does not include set up fee)
- $115 per month
Product Demos
Westlaw Edge - Quick Check demo
YouTube
Introduction to Thomson Reuters Westlaw
YouTube
Product Details
- About
- Tech Details
- FAQs
What is Thomson Reuters Westlaw?
Westlaw from Thomson Reuters is a legal research product enabling layers to build strong arguments based on superior legal materials, including, primary law, analytical materials, practice area insights, and an online collection of litigation resources.
The current flagship edition, Westlaw Edge, is powered by AI-enhanced capabilities that can help users research more effectively and be more strategic, helping users to speed up complex and time-consuming research tasks with AI-powered tools such as intelligent document analysis, a robust legal search engine, and integrated litigation analytics. Its predictive research suggestions enable the user to search with natural language terms and get type-ahead suggestions, surfacing the most relevant information at the top of the results list.
The current flagship edition, Westlaw Edge, is powered by AI-enhanced capabilities that can help users research more effectively and be more strategic, helping users to speed up complex and time-consuming research tasks with AI-powered tools such as intelligent document analysis, a robust legal search engine, and integrated litigation analytics. Its predictive research suggestions enable the user to search with natural language terms and get type-ahead suggestions, surfacing the most relevant information at the top of the results list.
Additional features include:
And, Thomson Reuters now offers Westlaw Precision. This AI augmented solution uses generative AI to surface relevant answers to legal research questions with AI-Assisted Research. Users can verify the results using links to trusted Westlaw authority to better inform decisions and complete the research more efficiently.
- Quick Check - This intelligent document analysis tool is used to simply upload a brief and in just minutes it identifies any bad law and surfaces any additional highly relevant authority, as well as authority contrary to what the opponent cited.
- Litigation Analytics - Powered by Thomson Reuters' collection of federal and state dockets, Litigation Analytics compiles information on judges, courts, damages, attorneys, law firms, and case types to help build the strongest case strategy across the most practice areas.
- KeyCite Overruling Risk - Overruling Risk warns the user when a point of law has been implicitly undermined based on its reliance on an overruled or otherwise invalid prior decision.
- WestSearch Plus - Helps users to avoid crafting complex queries with an advanced legal search engine, powered by artificial intelligence and built on proprietary editorial enhancements.
- Statutes Compare & Regulations Compare - Streamlines legal research with the click of a button for an instant comparison of any two versions of a statute or regulation to see exactly what has changed over time.
- Jurisdictional Surveys - Speeds up survey creation by retrieving a customized and relevant compilation of laws across all topics and U.S. jurisdictions.
And, Thomson Reuters now offers Westlaw Precision. This AI augmented solution uses generative AI to surface relevant answers to legal research questions with AI-Assisted Research. Users can verify the results using links to trusted Westlaw authority to better inform decisions and complete the research more efficiently.
Thomson Reuters Westlaw Videos
Thomson Reuters Westlaw
Precision Research on Westlaw Precision
Westlaw Precision Overview
Thomson Reuters Westlaw Technical Details
| Deployment Types | Software as a Service (SaaS), Cloud, or Web-Based |
|---|---|
| Operating Systems | Unspecified |
| Mobile Application | No |
Frequently Asked Questions
Westlaw, now supported by Thomson Reuters is a legal research software and database, emphasizing access to a breadth of case law.
Thomson Reuters Westlaw starts at $115.
The most common users of Thomson Reuters Westlaw are from Small Businesses (1-50 employees).
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Reviews and Ratings
(35)
Community Insights
TrustRadius Insights are summaries of user sentiment data from TrustRadius reviews and, when necessary, 3rd-party data sources. Have feedback on this content? Let us know!
- Business Problems Solved
- Pros
- Cons
- Recommendations
Thomson Reuters Westlaw is a versatile and comprehensive legal research platform with a range of use cases. Users, including personal injury law firms and solo practitioners, rely on Westlaw for accessing primary resources such as cases and statutes, as well as locating secondary resources like law review articles and treatises. The platform also offers templates and forms for added convenience. With its user-friendly interface and efficient search tools, Westlaw allows legal professionals to easily find relevant legal literature, supporting their briefs, memoranda, and legal citations used by adversaries.
In addition to its robust research capabilities, Westlaw serves as a collaboration tool, allowing users to share files and collaborate on research within their organizations. This feature enhances efficiency and facilitates a seamless workflow among team members. It also provides docket management functionality, giving users greater access to records and enabling more efficient research across the organization.
While users highly recommend Westlaw for its ability to provide quick access to relevant legal information, there are some concerns about the pricing mechanism. Some users have experienced unexpected charges when downloading documents outside the scope of their subscription. However, overall, Thomson Reuters Westlaw remains a preferred legal research platform due to its superior content, ease of searching through headnotes and keycites, as well as its ability to address procedural and substantive questions promptly – making it an invaluable tool for legal professionals across different practice areas.
Valuable Public Records Research Tool: Users have found Thomson Reuters Westlaw to be a valuable tool for public records research, providing an inventory of case laws and legal precedents. This feature has allowed multiple reviewers to easily distinguish between good and bad case law based on court decisions.
User-Friendly Interface: Many reviewers appreciate the user-friendly interface of Thomson Reuters Westlaw, finding it easy to use and logically organized. The clear layout makes it simple for users to follow and navigate through the platform.
Access to Specific Publishers' Content: Several users find the ability to access specific publishers' content extremely helpful. This feature enhances their research capabilities by providing them with access to a wide range of relevant information from trusted sources.
Cons:
- Limited resources and unfamiliar functions: Some users have mentioned that certain functions and features in Thomson Reuters Westlaw may not be familiar to those coming from other platforms, and that certain resources may not be as comprehensive as those available on other search engines.
- High cost: Several reviewers have expressed concerns about the high cost of the software, stating that it may not be the most affordable option available.
- Usability issues: Users have reported various usability issues with Thomson Reuters Westlaw, including a quick log-off feature that can be inconvenient for those using Practical Law, a user interface that could be improved for better usability, and misleading website navigation.
Note: The given context did not provide enough information to accurately quantify how many reviewers stated each con.
Users have made several recommendations for WestLaw based on their experiences and opinions. The three most common recommendations from the reviews are:
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Take advantage of the available resources and support: Users recommend making full use of the resources provided by WestLaw, such as tutorials or training sessions with specialists, to learn about the platform's hidden features and improve research skills. They also suggest utilizing the exceptional customer support offered by WestLaw.
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Use advanced search options and trial period for efficient research: Users advise taking advantage of the advanced search options in WestLaw to refine searches and limit results. They recommend delving into the information during a trial period to explore its comprehensive legal research tools before committing to a purchase.
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Consider personal preferences and specific needs: Users suggest considering personal preferences when choosing a legal research software. They mention that WestLaw offers ease of use with an intuitive interface and a robust array of precedent and future decisions per case. Additionally, they recommend checking if preferred sources are available on WestLaw before committing.
Overall, users highlight the importance of fully utilizing the available resources, trying out advanced search options, and considering personal preferences when using WestLaw for legal research purposes.
Attribute Ratings
Reviews
(1-5 of 5)Companies can't remove reviews or game the system. Here's why
October 09, 2021
Thomson Reuters Westlaw far exceeds its competitors
We are a personal injury law firm that utilizes [Thomson Reuters] Westlaw in a number of different ways. [Thomson Reuters] Westlaw provides us [the] ability to research legal issues across all state courts as well as federal courts, even into other states if needed. We are also able to review and research court filings from other attorneys or legal cases that [Thomson Reuters] Westlaw provides through their research. Another feature utilized quite frequently is the ability to look up information through [...] public records when information on defendants or insurance companies is not readily available.
- Public Records Research
- Inventory of case, laws, and legal precedents to research
- Showing good vs. bad case law based on court decisions
- Easier way to research specific issues
- "Weed out" cases for research that are not relevant to issue searching
- When case law is deemed bad, better explanation or citation as to why
- Public Records Search
- Case Research
- Appellate Court rulings
- Accident report does not have auto insurance information, but [Thomson Reuters] Westlaw was able to locate information needed to make sure a client's injuries were taken care of
- Case Citations in response to defendants' motions in trial citing decisions that are against our clients
- Lexis Advance, CloudNine LAW and formerly from LexisNexis
Like I said earlier, I previously used Lexis as the legal research tool. I did like Lexis because it was very easy to navigate, and you were able to utilize their Shepherds tool for case citations. However, I felt that their bank or library of cases, legal standards or precedents, and providing the user with the quality of case law needed was subpar. [Thomson Reuters] Westlaw far exceeds [its] competitors when it comes to the necessary elements needed for legal practice/research.
November 09, 2020
I Will Never Forgive nor Recommend Their Services
Score 1 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
I used Westlaw as a student and instructor, and now use ProFlex to support estate planning needs. This was to cut back on research and form creation needs as part of that business segment. I needed to replace my estate planning forms creator and this seemed the most cost effective solution.
- I was given a customized home page that included the estate planning forms. It also had a business forms link, which I assumed was part of the package because it was part of my customized home page.
- A need arose for a contract within a family business as part of an estate plan, and I pursued this second link to see if I could address the family's need. I found the document I needed, and began to create the form. I received a warning that this was not within my plan, so I retreated. I later received an additional charge for $174.00, even though I had retreated and not completed the form.
- I was treated [poorly] and passed from one department to another. I then lost trust and attempted to cancel the contract on the basis that I was afraid to continue using the product. I had been told that removing the ancillary charge was a "one-time solution."
- I received my official response to my request to cancel the contract, which stated that "[i]t has been our long-standing policy and belief that agreements . . . should be honored by both parties." Basically even though I had a valid product and customer service complaint and will not be using the product, I am stuck paying.
- Further, they do not consider my request to cancel as notice of non-renewal, so I will have to make a second request or they will automatically renew the contract at a price increase at the end of the "minimum term." I searched for a non-disparagement clause, and there is not one in any of the multiple "contracts" they offered. Therefore, I am telling you all that they suck and I strongly do not recommend signing up for their services.
- Customer service.
- Customer retention.
- Consumer contracts.
- Misleading website navigation.
- I am now paying a monthly charge for a service I do not use.
- This channels money away from addressing the original need.
- I have also wasted productive billable hours attempting to address their failure.
March 16, 2018
Westlaw by Thomson Reuters
Westlaw is used across the whole organization. It serves as a research platform, search engine, and document saving system. We can also use it to share files.
It is mainly used for research purposes. I use it for three main purposes: first, to locate primary resources (cases, statutes, black letter law); second, to locate secondary resources (law review, treatises, articles); last, to find templates or forms.
It is mainly used for research purposes. I use it for three main purposes: first, to locate primary resources (cases, statutes, black letter law); second, to locate secondary resources (law review, treatises, articles); last, to find templates or forms.
- Easy to use
- Logical, clear to follow
- Access to certain publishers
- Some functions/features may seem less familiar if you are used to other platforms
- Certain resources are not the very best (and are available on other engines)
- Costly!
- Great resources available
- Research
- Document templates
- LexisAdvance, Bloomberg and Justia
Westlaw and Lexis Advance are pretty similar in quality -- whether a user has a greater preference for one over the other depends on a few factors: the area of law researched, the user's preference for filters, familiarity with the platform or interface, price, and what is widely used by the user's firm/organization.
February 13, 2018
WestLaw has Superior Secondary Sources for the Immigration Lawyer
I use WestLaw as one of two legal research platforms. I have used WestLaw since law school and have never looked back. I only practice immigration law, so the most important thing for me are secondary sources and periodicals so I can stay up-to-date. WestLaw had superior content to Lexis when I decided to sign a contract. I need to get answers to my procedural and substantive questions fast and WestLaw helps me do that quickly and efficiently.
- Immigration content
- Navigation is fairly intuitive better UI than Lexis
- Overpriced
- Doesn't link statutes the way that immigration lawyers cite them
- User interface could be better
- Too expensive
- Need the content it provides
- Good secondary sources
I picked WestLaw because they had better secondary sources for my immigration law practice. I've also used WestLaw a lot more over the years so I am more comfortable with the interface. Lexis is slightly cheaper but not meaningfully so. Again, lawyers are stuck between a rock and a hard place when it comes to legal research platforms. The industry needs to be disrupted as both companies feel stuck in the early '00s
February 12, 2018
LOVE Westlaw products
We use Thomson Reuters Westlaw for securities reporting research, all of my caselaw research and to identify precedent through Practical Law for my corporate documents. I am a huge TR Westlaw fan!
- Key cites for research are extremely helpful and save me a lot of time.
- Practical law provides all sorts of wonderful forms and industry insight when I'm drafting corporate forms.
- Easy to navigate and user-friendly.
- The program logs me off rather quickly when I have a window open stagnant on Practical Law. As I don't believe Practical Law bills per minute of use, I wish it would stay open longer.
- Most of the corporate forms are still unavailable or not maintained in all 50 states. Would love to see practicioners like myself used as resources to get those updated and current.
- Saving myself and my clients time and money
- Ensuring we don't overlook important caselaw
- LexisNexis PCLaw and Edgar
Thomson is more user-friendly; easier to use and a much cheaper alternative. Also, Thomson's customer service is head and shoulders above the competition; always available and intelligent.