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The Best Free Legal Research Tools

Joshua Lenon

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Free legal research tools used to be a dream. High-quality legal research is a necessity for all law firms—after all, finding the right precedent or statute could give you the edge to win your case.

In the past, paid research platforms were the only choice. We accepted legal research tools as a costly-but-necessary expense for law firms. Today, however, there are excellent free tools available online. These tools mean free legal research a viable option for law firms looking to allocate funds to other areas of their practice, without compromising the quality of their research.

The only catch? You have to know where to look.

Below, we’ve collected some of the best free legal research tools for law firms to help you cut costs in an inflation economy.

(And, for even more tips on cutting costs, be sure to read our guide, Lawyers and Inflation: Staying Competitive in an Inflationary Economy. )

What is a legal research tool?

A legal research tool is software designed to help legal professionals efficiently find and analyze legal information, such as statutes, case law, and legal journals. It offers advanced search capabilities, case analysis, and document management.

7 free legal search engines and databases

The combination of more legal resources being digitized and the development of new technologies means that there’s now an overwhelming amount of legal information online. The good news? Many of these legal research resources can be found online for free. (If you want to really dive deep, browse this comprehensive resource for an in-depth listing of free legal research options.)

Below, we’ve curated seven of the best free search engines and databases help you find exactly what you need for your legal research:

What are the best free legal research tools?

Some of the best free legal research tools include Fastcase, CourtListener, Caselaw Access Project, FindLaw, Casetext, Justia, and the Legal Information Institute.

1. Fastcase: For an online law library

As one of the largest online law libraries in the world, Fastcase provides online access to case law, statutes, regulations, constitutions, court rules, and law review articles—making legal research and analysis faster and easier.

Additionally, thanks to an integration with Clio , using Fastcase makes it simple to accurately monitor the time you spend on legal research and keep your research well-ordered. Without ever having to leave Fastcase, the Clio integration allows you to:

  • Create Clio time entries for time spent on research
  • Save your results as case documents in Clio
  • Keep your research organized according to each case

While Fastcase offers a variety of paid desktop plans (you can try a free trial to test them out), their free mobile app is available for iOS, Android, and Windows Phone—and anyone with the app can access Fastcase’s comprehensive legal research database on the go, for free.

Fastcase also has the most member benefit deals with bar associations of any legal research provider. You may already have access through your bar dues.

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10 tips for smarter legal research, 18 best apps for lawyers to improve productivity, 10 predictions for the next 10 years of legal tech, 2. courtlistener: for legal opinions.

Sponsored by the Non-Profit Free Law Project, CourtListener is a legal research website featuring millions of legal opinions from federal and state courts. Search CourtListener by case name, topic, or citation—the data is all free to access and updated daily.

3. Caselaw Access Project: For book-published case law

As part of a mission to make all published US court decisions freely available to publish online, the Caselaw Access Project (CAP) offers free access to all official, book-published US case law. Every volume is designated as an official report of decisions by a court within the United States through June 2018 (Fun fact: The earliest case available is from 1658.). The 360 years of United States case law data was digitized from the collection of the Harvard Law Library.

4. FindLaw: For searchable Supreme Court decisions

Designed to make the law more accessible to all, FindLaw’s FindLaw for Legal Professionals division offers free online legal content including case law from state and federal courts, case summaries, statutes, and legal news.

FindLaw also offers a browsable, searchable database of US Supreme Court decisions since 1760. Browse Supreme Court opinions by year and US Reports volume number, or search by party name, case title, citation, full text, and docket number. FindLaw also features an archive of Supreme Court opinion summaries since the year 2000.

5. Legal Information Institute: For US law online and a legal encyclopedia

Legal Information Institutes (LII) are a global resource that offers open access to law knowledge. There are over 46 LII associations around the world that publish source law through their own search engines, providing freely accessible case laws, regulations, and statutes unique to those countries.

The Legal Information Institute (LII) at Cornell Law School provides access to most US laws online for free, making it a good resource when you need to find a statute or regulation, while also providing online access to legal materials like the:

  • Supreme Court Bulletin
  • State statutes by topic
  • Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (e-CFR)
  • Constitution
  • Federal Rules
  • Uniform Commercial Code

Another free research resource hosted by LII is Wex—a free, community-built legal dictionary and legal encyclopedia created and edited by legal experts.

6. Casetext: For AI assistance

Technically, number six on this list isn’t free, but low-cost artificial intelligence-powered options for legal research can make a huge difference for your bottom line. Powered by AI to help you conduct legal research better and faster, Casetext’s search finds you cases and other authorities on the same facts, legal issues, and jurisdiction as your matter.

The process is simple:

1. Drag and drop a brief or complaint into Casetext’s artificial intelligence search, CARA. 2. Get relevant cases from CARA that enhance your research for your own drafts, or to check for missing or omitted cases within opposing council’s briefs and complaints.

The practice is even smoother via Casetext’s Clio integration , which lets you send a document from Clio to CARA in a single click.

Casetext’s AI search is a low-cost option for legal research—though you can get a free 14-day trial.

Read our comprehensive guide about AI for lawyers to learn more about how lawyers can (and can’t) leverage AI.

7. Justia: For the latest summaries sent straight to you

Research case law, codes, statutes, regulations, and articles related to federal and state cases with Justia’s extensive, free database .

You can also stay effortlessly well-informed on specific practice areas with Justia. It will send the latest straight to your inbox with an array of free newsletters ranging from daily summaries of opinions from all federal appellate courts and all 50 state supreme courts to weekly summaries of opinions in certain practice areas.

Beyond legal databases: Other free research resources

As valuable as legal databases are for your case research, there are also other alternative sources where you can find information and resources to support your legal research. Below, we offer a few free and cost-effective options for help build your case.

1. Primary sources: For going straight to the source

Sometimes, the easiest way to get the information you need is to be direct. You can find many case law and court documents online for free. Legislatures and courts are publishing their own materials, which are sometimes now available online as downloadable PDFs.

Keep in mind that some online versions are not considered “official” and can be refuted by the print version, even though they come from the same source.

Here are some resources you can access directly online:

  • US Office of the Law Revision Counsel
  • Bound Volumes of the Supreme Court
  • Rulings from regulatory and administrative agencies like, Social Security Administration , Financial Crimes Enforcement Network , and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

Remember that while this information might be easy to access through primary sources, you’ll likely miss out on the advanced search functions or analysis features that you’d find with legal search engines and databases.

Also, older legal information may not be available online yet. In this situation, visit a library and look for archived legal information that is unavailable elsewhere. You may also find potential collaborators in your colleagues (and the librarians) who will be researching there as well. These collaborators will be a great source for information on what arguments worked in the past, and may help you find local knowledge you might not be able to uncover yourself.

If you are a member of a bar association, you should also make full use of the resources available to you through your member benefits, such as:

  • Courthouses
  • Law schools
  • Bar Association headquarters

2. Legal blogs: For keeping up-to-date

One of the best ways to become a more efficient legal researcher is to stay ahead of the game. The best way to do that? Maintain your subject matter competency. Keep up-to-date on the latest developments in your practice area by regularly reading legal journals and legal blogs.

One of your best sources is the American Bar Association (ABA)’s annual list , which started in 2007 as the Blawg 100 list of blogs. It has since evolved into the Web 100 list of favorite law blogs, podcasts, tweeters, and web tools—a.k.a. a list of the best free law-focused resources and people to follow.

LexBlog—an online network of over 22,000 legal bloggers—is a hub of the latest commentary on the law. Sorting blogs by channels , LexBlog makes it easy to find and subscribe to legal blogs that focus on your specific area of law.

By maintaining subject-matter competency, you’ll already have cases and ideas top-of-mind—so that when you’re presented with a new case, you won’t always be starting from scratch.

3. Google Scholar: For searching legal journals and published opinions

Although not specifically tailored to legal research, Google Scholar allows you to broadly search and access scholarly literature—which means it’s an effective, free way to find legal documents like patents, legal opinions, legal journals, and articles.

Want the simplest way to search case law? On the Google Scholar main page, select the “Case Law” button under the search box to easily search case law, filtered by jurisdiction.

Final thoughts

Conducting smart legal research that’s thorough, accurate, and time-effective makes a big difference to the success of your law firm—but it doesn’t have to be expensive. Today’s free legal research resources help you be more efficient so you can serve your clients more effectively, and stay a step ahead of the competition.

Cutting costs for your legal research can also make room in your budget for technology that helps you run your firm more efficiently. Introducing legal practice management software like Clio, for example, can help you increase—or even double—revenue .

Clio enables you to automate routine tasks, keep your legal research organized, and easily report on key business metrics—helping you to make your law firm profitable and efficient. Want to see how? Book a demo today!

How can I do legal research for free?

According to the American Bar Association (ABA), GovInfo offers free virtual access to congressional reports, official federal government publications, public laws, congressional records, hearings, and more. Do your research, as there are free and low-cost databases and tools available.

What are the top legal research databases?

The top legal research databases include:

  • Westlaw : Known for its extensive case law database and advanced search features.
  • LexisNexis : Offers a vast collection of legal resources, including statutes, case law, and secondary sources.
  • Bloomberg Law : Provides integrated legal research, news, and business intelligence tools.
  • Fastcase : Offers a comprehensive legal research database with unique visualization tools.
  • HeinOnline : Known for its extensive collection of legal journals, historical legal documents, and government publications.
  • Casetext : Utilizes artificial intelligence to provide relevant case law and legal research resources.
  • JSTOR : Provides access to academic journals and legal scholarship.

What software is used for legal research?

There are many legal research softwares available today, including Tracers, Casetext, and Fastcase. These programs integrate seamlessly with legal practice management software such as Clio.

What are the six basic steps of legal research?

The six basic steps of legal research are: identifying the legal issue, gathering background information from secondary sources, finding relevant statutes and regulations, locating applicable case law, analyzing and interpreting the information, and updating and verifying to ensure it is current and accurate.

We published this blog post in August 2019. Last updated: August 8, 2024 .

Categorized in: Business

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Teresa Matich is an experienced legal tech writer and editor who is passionate about helping legal professionals learn more about the business of law. After attending the University of British Columbia, she worked as an office clerk at a well-respected real estate law firm in Vancouver while building her writing career, absorbing a wealth of knowledge about the legal industry and the inner workings of legal firms.

Now, over half a decade writing about the business of law and legal tech, she has edited and been a long time writer for the award-winning Clio Blog, where she's written dozens of articles about law firm marketing, billing, organization, and more. In addition, she has written for publications such as GP Solo, Legal Technology Today, and Above the Law. Finally, she's interviewed dozens of practicing lawyers and leading legal industry thinkers, including Preet Bharara and Bryan Stevenson.

Joshua Lenon is the Lawyer in Residence at Clio, an attorney admitted to the New York Bar. For over a decade, Joshua has brought legal scholarship to the forefront of Clio, to the conversations happening both within Clio and with its customers. Joshua has worked extensively to educate lawyers on technology's capability to enhance their practice while also teaching tech companies about the unique needs of the legal system. Joshua's insights lead evolution at Clio, driving advancements that benefit law firms, their clients, and the entire legal landscape.

Joshua is originally from St. Louis, Missouri, but now calls the west coast of Canada home in Vancouver, BC. He studied law at St. Louis University School of Law, obtaining a Juris Doctorate and a Certificate in International and Comparative Law. He also earned a Certificate in European Union Law at the University of Georgia School of Law's prestigious Brussels Legal Seminar.

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Guide to the 20 Best Legal Research Tools In 2024

Ben Aston

Ben Aston is an online media entrepreneur and founder of Black & White Zebra, an indie media company on a mission to help people and organizations succeed. Since 2011, he has been evaluating, reviewing, and helping to recommend software through hundreds of articles across the company's influential digital publications, seeking to make technical workplace topics fun and easier to understand.

The Legal Practice is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click through links on our site—read our affiliate disclosure to learn more about how we aim to stay transparent.

Legal research tools are designed to give you a comprehensive understanding of relevant cases, court decisions, and secondary sources. They provide access to an extensive database of legal resources, including federal courts and state courts, the Supreme Court, appellate courts, and specific resources like FindLaw and law libraries. A good tool incorporates Boolean operators, which […]

10 Best Legal Research Tools Shortlist

Here's my pick of the 10 best software from the 20 tools reviewed.

  • 1. Clio — Best for law firm management alongside exceptional legal research resources
  • 2. Bloomberg Law — Best for high-quality, detailed legal analysis with real-time news updates
  • 3. Judicata — Best for in-depth legal analysis with innovative visualization tools
  • 4. Law Insider — Best for the most extensive collection of legal contracts and clauses
  • 5. Lexis — Best for a holistic approach to legal research with advanced AI analytics
  • 6. Practical Law — Best for in-depth practical legal know-how, from global to jurisdiction-specific
  • 7. Fastcase — Best for real-time legal data integration for robust research
  • 8. Westlaw — Best for legal research enriched by over a century of experience
  • 9. Google Scholar — Best for freely accessible, comprehensive academic and legal research
  • 10. Relativity — Best for early case assessment with data-driven insights

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Legal research tools are designed to give you a comprehensive understanding of relevant cases, court decisions, and secondary sources. They provide access to an extensive database of legal resources, including federal courts and state courts, the Supreme Court, appellate courts, and specific resources like FindLaw and law libraries. A good tool incorporates Boolean operators, which can refine your search and lead you straight to the most pertinent information.

These tools aren't just about accessing vast amounts of data—they're about making that data manageable and actionable. They alleviate the pain point of spending hours manually sifting through content by providing targeted search results, organized case summaries, law review articles, and more.

Now, let's dive into these legal research tool options, which can transform your research process.

What Is A Legal Research Tool?

A legal research tool is a powerful digital ally for anyone navigating the complexities of the law. From seasoned attorneys to law students, paralegals, legal researchers, and even the average person seeking to understand a legal issue, these tools streamline the process of sourcing and understanding legal information.

Users leverage them to find case laws, statutes, regulations, legal articles, and more, making the otherwise Herculean task of sifting through legal texts efficient and precise. These platforms often provide features like keyword search, filter options, legal analytics, and citation services, all designed to offer comprehensive, easy-to-understand legal data.

In essence, legal research tools serve as invaluable guides in the labyrinth of law, illuminating the path to clear, concise, and pertinent legal knowledge.

Best Legal Research Tools Summary

Tools Price
From $39/user/month (billed annually)
From $450/user/month.
From $125/user/month.
From $39/user/month (billed annually).
From $75/user/month.
From $79/user/month.
From $65/user/month.
From $89/user/month
Free To Use.
From $150/user/month with a minimum of 10 seats required.

Compare Software Specs Side by Side

Compare Software Specs Side by Side

Use our comparison chart to review and evaluate software specs side-by-side.

Best Legal Research Tools Reviews

online legal research

Best for law firm management alongside exceptional legal research resources

  • From $39/user/month (billed annually)

Clio screenshot - Guide to the 20 Best Legal Research Tools In 2024

Clio is a leading legal practice management software that offers robust features for law firm management while also providing exceptional legal research resources. Its ability to handle multiple facets of law firm operations and its integrated legal research tools make it ideal for firms that require both efficient management and extensive legal research capabilities.

Why I Picked Clio: I selected Clio for this list because of its comprehensive nature that covers both law firm management and legal research needs. What sets Clio apart is its ability to offer top-tier law firm management features while also delivering reliable legal research resources. This makes Clio the best for law firm management alongside exceptional legal research resources, effectively serving a dual purpose.

Standout features & integrations:

Clio offers a broad spectrum of features from case and document management to billing and invoicing, time tracking, and calendaring. The integration of Fastcase, a leading legal research solution, within Clio further amplifies its legal research capabilities. Importantly, it also integrates with other common platforms like Office365, GSuite, and QuickBooks, facilitating a smooth workflow.

  • Check out Clio on their website

Pros and cons

  • Numerous integrations with other common software
  • Robust features for complete law firm management
  • Integrated with Fastcase for extensive legal research
  • Requires manual input for some tasks which can be time-consuming
  • Some features might have a steep learning curve
  • Higher-tier plans can be expensive

online legal research

Bloomberg Law

Best for high-quality, detailed legal analysis with real-time news updates

  • From $450/user/month.

Bloomberg Law screenshot - Guide to the 20 Best Legal Research Tools In 2024

Bloomberg Law stands as a pioneer in delivering top-tier legal analysis coupled with real-time news updates, aiming to keep legal professionals well-informed. This tool enables its users to access an expansive legal database, with an emphasis on the delivery of timely and thorough news related to legal affairs, making it the best choice for high-quality, detailed legal analysis with real-time news updates.

Why I Picked Bloomberg Law: I picked Bloomberg Law for its unmatched integration of comprehensive legal research and real-time legal news updates. This combination makes it stand out in the landscape of legal research tools.

The rationale behind my statement that it's 'Best for high-quality, detailed legal analysis with real-time news updates' lies in its commitment to providing detailed legal analysis and constant news updates to its users, keeping them abreast of changes in the law.

Bloomberg Law excels in offering users an extensive array of legal research tools, including legal analysis, litigation analytics, and a deep well of primary and secondary legal materials. Moreover, it provides seamless integration with other Bloomberg industry products, delivering legal insights in the context of broader market trends.

  • Check out Bloomberg Law on their website
  • Seamless integration with other Bloomberg products
  • Comprehensive legal database
  • Integration of legal research with real-time news
  • Overwhelming amount of information might require significant time to navigate
  • Interface might seem complex to new users
  • High cost can be prohibitive for smaller firms or individual users

online legal research

Best for in-depth legal analysis with innovative visualization tools

  • From $125/user/month.

Judicata screenshot - Guide to the 20 Best Legal Research Tools In 2024

Introducing Judicata, an advanced legal research tool engineered for the modern attorney. It reimagines legal analysis, fusing technology and law to deliver unprecedented depth and clarity, thereby providing the best platform for in-depth legal analysis with innovative visualization tools.

Why I Picked Judicata: I selected Judicata for this list due to its unique approach to legal analysis. Unlike traditional tools, Judicata uses sophisticated legal technology to unravel complex cases and statutes, making it a standout choice. I believe Judicata is 'Best for in-depth legal analysis with innovative visualization tools' because it leverages AI to provide detailed breakdowns of case law and statutes, accompanied by clear, intuitive visualizations.

One key feature is Judicata's color-coded case ratings that provide instant insight into the treatment of legal issues within a case. Its mapping feature visually displays case details, making navigation simpler. Judicata is fully integrated with Google Drive, Dropbox, and Microsoft OneDrive, providing seamless access and storage of the research database.

  • Check out Judicata on their website
  • Integration with popular cloud storage services
  • Clear and intuitive visualization tools
  • Advanced AI for detailed legal analysis
  • Steep learning curve for those unfamiliar with legal research software
  • Limited to US case law and statutes
  • Higher starting price compared to other tools

online legal research

Law Insider

Best for the most extensive collection of legal contracts and clauses

  • From $39/user/month (billed annually).

Law Insider screenshot - Guide to the 20 Best Legal Research Tools In 2024

Law Insider is a powerful legal research tool that amasses an enormous collection of legal contracts and clauses. It empowers legal professionals to find, understand and draft better agreements with access to millions of contracts from public companies across various industries, justifying its position as the 'best for the most extensive collection of legal contracts and clauses.'

Why I Picked Law Insider: I picked Law Insider primarily for its extensive database of contracts and clauses, the largest I have come across in my comparison of tools. The availability of millions of legal documents from diverse industries makes it stand out.

I have judged it to be 'Best for the most extensive collection of legal contracts and clauses' based on its unparalleled repository that assists legal professionals in drafting superior agreements.

The most significant feature of Law Insider is its vast repository of contracts and clauses from public companies. Users also benefit from its robust search capabilities that let them find specific clauses or agreements quickly. The platform can be integrated with Microsoft Word, allowing for a smoother drafting and editing process.

  • Check out Law Insider on their website
  • Integration with Microsoft Word for easy drafting and editing
  • Robust search functionality
  • Extensive database of contracts and clauses
  • Requires an annual commitment for the base pricing
  • The interface could be intimidating for new users due to the vast amount of information
  • Monthly subscription might be high for some users

online legal research

Best for a holistic approach to legal research with advanced AI analytics

  • From $75/user/month.

Lexis screenshot - Guide to the 20 Best Legal Research Tools In 2024

Lexis is an influential legal research platform offering a comprehensive suite of resources, from case law and legislation to news and business insights. Its advanced AI analytics facilitates a more in-depth and broader understanding of legal issues, justifying why it's the 'best for a holistic approach to legal research with advanced AI analytics.'

Why I Picked Lexis: I selected Lexis for this list due to its comprehensive approach to legal research. The breadth and depth of resources available make it a unique tool in the market. Its advanced AI analytics elevate its status, providing deep insights that significantly aid legal research, which is why I determined it to be 'Best for a holistic approach to legal research with advanced AI analytics.'

Key features of Lexis include a vast database of case law, legislation, news, and business insights, along with advanced AI analytics for in-depth research. Lexis integrates with several tools, such as Microsoft Office, providing a more streamlined experience in drafting and reviewing documents.

  • Check out Lexis on their website
  • Integrations with tools like Microsoft Office
  • Advanced AI analytics for deeper insights
  • Extensive database covering various aspects of legal research
  • Customizable plans could make pricing structure complex
  • Learning curve due to its advanced features
  • Pricing can be steep for solo practitioners or small firms

online legal research

Practical Law

Best for in-depth practical legal know-how, from global to jurisdiction-specific

  • From $79/user/month.

Practical Law screenshot - Guide to the 20 Best Legal Research Tools In 2024

Practical Law is a renowned legal research platform developed by Thomson Reuters that provides comprehensive and easy-to-understand legal resources. As the tool's name suggests, its primary focus is on providing practical, in-depth legal know-how, stretching from global to jurisdiction-specific advice, which makes it the go-to choice for a broad range of legal practitioners and professionals.

Why I Picked Practical Law: I chose Practical Law for its remarkable dedication to offering pragmatic and in-depth legal knowledge, covering a global to jurisdiction-specific span. What makes it stand out is its vast array of easy-to-understand legal resources and practical guides, simplifying the intricate legal field for practitioners.

I determined it to be the 'Best for in-depth practical legal know-how, from global to jurisdiction-specific' due to the breadth and depth of its coverage and its unique focus on practical application in different jurisdictions.

Practical Law shines with its range of practical resources, such as standard documents, checklists, legal updates, and a glossary of legal terms, all created and maintained by an expert team of attorney-editors. Furthermore, it integrates efficiently with Westlaw and other Thomson Reuters legal products, enabling seamless and unified legal research.

  • Check out Practical Law on their website
  • Smooth integration with other Thomson Reuters products
  • Broad jurisdictional coverage
  • Comprehensive, practical legal resources
  • Subscription-based pricing model may not be suitable for all users
  • Some users might find the amount of information overwhelming
  • Pricing might be high for individual users

online legal research

Best for real-time legal data integration for robust research

  • From $65/user/month.

Fastcase screenshot - Guide to the 20 Best Legal Research Tools In 2024

Fastcase stands as a powerhouse in legal research, offering comprehensive access to a wide array of legal databases for accurate, in-depth research. With its unique focus on integrating real-time legal data, Fastcase secures its position as the best tool for real-time legal data integration for robust research.

Why I Picked Fastcase: I chose Fastcase for its commitment to providing timely and comprehensive legal information. Its emphasis on integrating real-time data, such as updates to statutes, regulations, and case laws, sets it apart from other legal research tools.

I deem Fastcase as the 'Best for real-time legal data integration for robust research' because its real-time updates ensure that users have the most current and accurate legal information at their disposal.

Fastcase's standout features include its 'Interactive Timeline,' which visualizes search results over time, and 'Authority Check,' which identifies the most authoritative cases. Fastcase is well integrated with leading legal practice management systems like Clio, Rocket Matter, and PracticePanther, facilitating efficient workflow management.

  • Check out Fastcase on their website
  • Integrations with major legal practice management systems
  • Advanced visualization tools for in-depth analysis
  • Real-time legal data integration ensures current information
  • Limited non-US legal resources
  • Steeper learning curve due to its extensive features
  • Annual billing may deter those preferring monthly plans

online legal research

Best for legal research enriched by over a century of experience

  • 7-day free trial
  • From $89/user/month

Westlaw screenshot - Guide to the 20 Best Legal Research Tools In 2024

Westlaw is a comprehensive legal research tool that has been around for over a century, providing trusted legal information to professionals across the globe. It's a rich resource for anyone in need of extensive legal research, with a history that speaks volumes of its reliability and expertise.

Why I Picked Westlaw: Westlaw made it to my list due to its longstanding history and unmatched depth of legal content. What differentiates it from other tools is its extensive knowledge base, built upon over a hundred years of legal expertise. I believe Westlaw is 'Best for legal research enriched by over a century of experience' as it leverages its deep-rooted history to provide comprehensive and reliable legal research.

Westlaw offers an advanced search system that delivers pinpoint accuracy and a range of legal information, including case law, statutes, and regulations. Additionally, it integrates well with legal document management systems, which enables a seamless transition of researched information into working documents.

  • Check out Westlaw on their website
  • Seamless integration with document management systems
  • Comprehensive library of legal information
  • Advanced search system provides precise results
  • Some users may find the user interface a bit outdated
  • The platform might be overwhelming for new users due to its extensive features
  • Pricing is not transparent

online legal research

Google Scholar

Best for freely accessible, comprehensive academic and legal research

  • Free To Use.

Google Scholar screenshot - Guide to the 20 Best Legal Research Tools In 2024

Welcome to Google Scholar, an expansive digital library providing free access to a wealth of academic and legal content. With a vast selection of scholarly literature spanning various disciplines and sources, Google Scholar is the best tool for freely accessible, comprehensive academic and legal research.

Why I Picked Google Scholar: I included Google Scholar on this list because it breaks down barriers to legal and academic research by providing a large volume of information at no cost. Its standout characteristic is its open-access nature coupled with its extensive repository of diverse resources.

I hold that Google Scholar is 'Best for freely accessible, comprehensive academic and legal research' due to its ability to provide vast and varied scholarly materials free of charge, thus democratizing access to legal and academic knowledge.

Key features of Google Scholar include the 'Cited by' function, which allows users to see other works that have cited the paper they are reading. Also, the 'Related articles' feature helps users discover more materials on the same topic.

Google Scholar doesn't have traditional integrations as most software does, but its ability to link with your university library for full-text access, Google Books, and the Google Chrome browser makes research more convenient.

  • Check out Google Scholar on their website
  • Integration with university libraries for full-text access
  • Advanced search functionality to find specific resources
  • Free access to vast academic and legal resources
  • Difficulty in identifying the most relevant resources among a vast quantity of information
  • Limited sorting and filtering options compared to paid tools
  • No editorial control or peer-review process for some resources

online legal research

Best for early case assessment with data-driven insights

  • From $150/user/month with a minimum of 10 seats required.

Relativity screenshot - Guide to the 20 Best Legal Research Tools In 2024

Relativity is a cloud-based platform designed to help legal teams conduct early case assessments and derive data-driven insights. It's an excellent choice for those in need of a tool that excels in both initial assessments and providing meaningful data for decision-making.

Why I Picked Relativity: I selected Relativity for this list due to its capacity to deliver actionable, data-driven insights right from the early stages of a case. The platform's comprehensive approach to managing legal data sets it apart from other tools. I believe Relativity is 'Best for early case assessment with data-driven insights' because it really excels in those areas, allowing users to make informed decisions early on.

Relativity's features, such as the dynamic early case assessment dashboard and the data visualization tools, offer invaluable assistance during case evaluation. Furthermore, it integrates with numerous data management and analysis tools, thereby enhancing its capability to provide meaningful insights.

  • Check out Relativity on their website
  • Wide range of integrations
  • Excellent data visualization tools
  • Dynamic early case assessment dashboard
  • Minimum seat requirement might not be ideal for smaller teams
  • The complexity of features may require a learning curve
  • Higher pricing point may be restrictive for smaller firms

Other Legal Research Tools

Below is a list of additional legal research tools that I shortlisted but did not make it to the top 10. Definitely worth checking them out.

Best for precise and pragmatic legal guidance tailored to UK lawyers

Best for AI-driven legal research assistance, amplifying your search capabilities

Good for tax, finance, and accounting professionals

Good for comprehensive Canadian legal content

Good for intuitive legal document management and assembly

Good for accessing diverse legal research resources

Good for detecting patent arguments with AI assistance

Good for providing step-by-step guidance on legal procedures

Good for those learning Java programming

Good for law students needing study aids and exam prep

online legal research

Selection Criteria

When selecting a legal research tool, there are some critical criteria that I took into account. I've evaluated dozens of legal research tools, and these were the essential elements that stood out. Below, I've detailed the core functionalities, key features, and usability aspects that matter most for legal professionals.

Core Functionality:

  • Legal Research: The tool should enable users to access extensive databases of cases, statutes, regulations, and legal literature.
  • Citation Checking: The ability to validate and cross-reference legal citations.
  • Case Tracking: Monitoring updates or changes to specific legal cases.

Key Features:

  • Advanced Search: Enables search using natural language queries or specific legal terminologies.
  • AI Assistance: Artificial Intelligence to provide suggestions, predict results, or automate tasks.
  • Collaboration Tools: Allows multiple users to work on a single case, share notes, or discuss findings.
  • User-friendly Interface: Legal research tools should feature an intuitive and clean interface that allows for quick navigation through vast amounts of information.
  • Onboarding and Support: A comprehensive tutorial or onboarding process is essential due to the complex nature of legal research. Timely and effective customer support is also crucial.
  • Customizable Viewing: The ability to modify and personalize the viewing interface, which may include the addition of filters, tags, and bookmarks, can enhance the research experience.
  • Mobile Compatibility: Legal professionals often need to work on the go. Therefore, an ideal legal research tool should have a mobile application or a mobile-friendly website.

Most Common Questions Regarding Best Legal Research Tools (FAQ's)

What are the benefits of using legal research tools.

Legal research tools provide several advantages, including:

  • Enhanced Efficiency: They provide quick access to vast databases of legal resources, reducing the time spent on manual research.
  • Comprehensive Legal Information: Users have access to extensive databases of cases, statutes, and legal literature.
  • Collaboration: Many tools offer features for sharing notes, discussing findings, or working on a single case as a team.
  • AI Assistance: Advanced tools leverage Artificial Intelligence to automate tasks, predict outcomes, or offer suggestions.
  • Case Tracking: These tools often allow users to monitor updates or changes to specific legal cases.

How much do these legal research tools cost?

The cost of legal research tools varies widely depending on the features, data access, and the number of users. Most operate on a subscription-based constitution, charging on a per-user/month basis.

What are the pricing models for these tools?

Most legal research tools adopt a subscription-based pricing model. The charges usually depend on the number of users and the depth of access to legal databases. Some platforms also offer tiered pricing models where additional features cost extra.

What is the typical range of pricing?

Pricing for legal research tools can start as low as $20/user/month for basic services, scaling up to several hundred dollars for premium access.

Which is the cheapest and most expensive software?

The exact pricing is subject to change and varies from provider to provider. However, as of now, Clio is one of the more affordable options, with plans starting from $39/user/month. On the higher end, LexisNexis and Westlaw are considered more expensive, with premium plans going into several hundreds of dollars per user per month.

Are there any free legal research tools?

Yes, there are some free legal research tools available. These usually offer basic features and access to a limited number of legal resources. Examples include Google Scholar for case law research and Cornell Law School’s Legal Information Institute. However, paid tools generally offer more comprehensive access and advanced features.

More Legal Research And Related Tool Reviews

  • Legal Document Comparison Software
  • Legal Drafting Software
  • Free Legal Research Tools

In summary, selecting the ideal legal research tool involves more than just looking at its functionality; it requires a keen understanding of your unique needs, budget, and expectations. With numerous options available, each boasting different strengths, the task may seem daunting. However, focusing on a few critical aspects can simplify the process significantly.

Key Takeaways:

  • Identify Core Functionality: Different legal research tools excel in different areas - some offer superior AI-driven research assistance, while others are enriched by decades of experience. Understand your primary need - be it legal research, law firm management, or early state case assessment - and opt for a tool that excels in that particular practice area.
  • Consider Usability and Support: Legal research tools should be not only robust in functionality but also intuitive and easy to use. Consider factors like ease of onboarding, the intuitiveness of the interface, and the quality of customer support. It is crucial, especially if you or your team are not tech-savvy.
  • Evaluate Pricing: Pricing structures for legal research tools can vary greatly. Some offer subscription precedents, while others have one-time purchase options. Understanding your budget constraints and aligning them with the value you expect to get from the tool is vital. Also, consider any additional costs like setup fees or minimum seat requirements.

What Do You Think?

We hope this guide has proven helpful in your search for the perfect legal research tool. However, the world of legal software is vast and continually evolving. If you've come across a tool you believe deserves to be on this list, we'd love to hear from you! Please feel free to share your suggestions and experiences.

We're always open to exploring new options to ensure we provide our readers with the most comprehensive and up-to-date guide.

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Legal Research Basics: A Step-By-Step Guide to Brushing Up on Your Skills

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Legal Research Basics: A Step-By-Step Guide to Brushing Up on Your Skills

online legal research

Legal research is imperative to the practice of law. Depending on where you are in your legal career, there could be multiple reasons to brush up on the basics of legal research. You could be a: 

  • Law student or recent graduate preparing for your career 
  • Seasoned attorney aiming to brush up on the basics amidst ever-evolving legal research technology 
  • Growing law firm preparing to train new attorneys or paralegals 

Regardless of which of these categories you align with most, reviewing the basics of legal research should become regular practice. After all, the importance of legal research cannot be overstated – pinpointing the best facts and knowledge for your case can make the difference between winning and losing.  

Use this article to review the basics and set yourself (and your firm) up for success. First, we’ll define legal research and its components. Then, we’ll walk you through a step-by-step process for conducting superior legal research. Finally, we’ll close with recommendations for tools that can help you become both an accurate and efficient legal researcher – which ultimately equips you with a reputation for success in the courtroom.  

What is Legal Research?

Legal research is defined as the process of identifying and retrieving information necessary to support legal decision-making. There are multiple reasons you might conduct legal research: 

  • To find “good” case law that backs up your motion or brief  
  • To provide legal counsel to clients  
  • To provide a memo or brief for class (law students only)  
  • To identify case law that refutes an opposing argument 
  • To support the over-arching narrative of your case 

What is the Importance of Legal Research?

Legal research provides support for decision-making on complex issues, by providing specific facts and legal precedent that allow you to produce complete answers for clients. Quality legal research is critical to the practice of law.

Historically, attorneys combed through books and libraries for the perfect facts, cases, and issues; now, technology has largely replaced this process. While the prominence of ever-evolving technology has made the process more efficient (and, in many ways, easier), the sheer number of products and options available can be overwhelming.  

The Legal Research Process

Understanding that the legal research process can be overwhelming and time-consuming, we’ve broken the legal research process down into three key steps: 

  • Understand the facts of your case 
  • Gather sources of law 
  • Check your citations for “good” law 

Each of these steps is detailed below, alongside a quick-view checklist.  

Step 1: Record the Facts of Your Case and Create a Research Plan  

Handling a legal task with authority requires confidence in the process. This is true in any practice, jurisdictional setting, or level of legal expertise. A good process should start by taking time to identify and understand the facts of your case. Ask yourself the following questions: 

  • What is the legal issue at hand?  
  • What are the details of the case?  
  • What jurisdiction is most relevant?  
  • Do you need state or federal case law? 

Record your facts in a case management tool before beginning – this can help you develop a course of action and narrow down where to start your research. While it may be tempting to skip this step, a commitment to this process saves you time in the long run by helping you efficiently juggle multiple clients. Not to mention, you will likely need what you’ve recorded to file a motion or brief. 

With the facts of the case recorded, you can begin your research. Because this will help you develop a plan for gathering your sources, we will briefly discuss creating a research plan before moving on to Step 2.  

Did you know? LexisNexis boasts a collection of state case law superior to its leading competitors. Easily filter by jurisdiction before or after your search.  

Creating a Research Plan  

Review the facts you recorded to determine what information you will need to build your case. When legal research first moved online, many attorneys felt the need to start with a free service like Google to identify terms of art before conducting a search in a legal research platform. However, this is no longer necessary. Research platforms like Lexis+ allow you to start your search with a natural language search or question and equip you to quickly comb both primary and secondary sources. Litigators, specifically, can use Fact and Issue Finder – integrated directly with Lexis+ – to help quickly identify the best terms of art for their search.  

Creating your research plan is less about planning where you will search and more about planning what you will search. You know your research can be conducted on one, fully integrated platform. So, what questions will you ask to get started? What legal issues do you need more information about? What filters will you need (jurisdiction, time period, etc.)?  

Once you know what you will search for, you are ready to gather sources.  

Step 2: Gather Sources of Law  

The next step in your process is to gather relevant sources of law. Below, we detail the difference between primary law and secondary law. Importantly, when gathering sources, start with secondary law materials. This helps ensure you are up-to-speed on what experts have to say about a topic before you begin your case law search. Why does this matter? Think about it as building your knowledge base before crafting an argument – you’ll be less likely to make mistakes and more inclined to spot case-winning primary law.  

What are Secondary Sources of Law?  

Secondary legal sources are materials that describe or interpret the law. They are educational resources that provide analysis of the law. These documents are cited by attorneys to persuade a court to reach a particular decision in a case, but which the court is not obligated to follow. Start with secondary sources to learn from legal experts that have already explored a given topic.  

Secondary sources may include: 

  • Practice guides 
  • Legal treatises 
  • Law review articles 
  • Scholarly journals 
  • Legal news 
  • Jury instructions 
  • Legal dictionaries and encyclopedias 

What are Primary Sources of Law?  

A primary legal source is a formal document officially issued by the government that establishes the law on a particular matter, such as a case decision or legislative act. Primary sources are the law. This is the most authoritative step in the legal research process. You can support arguments with primary sources as they are not only authoritative, but precedential and controlling.  

Your primary sources may include: 

  • Case law (federal and/or state) 
  • Orders 
  • Decisions 
  • Statutes and regulations 
  • Constitutions  
  • Treatises 

Step 3: Check to See If You’re Using Good Law   

The final step in your research process should include a final check to ensure you have used “good” law – this means you are using case law that has been treated positively in court (as opposed to case law that has been overturned or brought into question). 

Check your case citations as you collect them, especially since legal research software can allow a quick view of how your case has been treated in court directly from your search results. However, it is best practice to review your citations once your research process is complete to check for any gaps, changes, or oversights.  

Read more about using good law and the process of " Shepardizing ."

Conduct Winning Legal Research  

Following this three-step process ensures you’re taking the right measures to find the most accurate, relevant and valuable data to achieve your objectives. Now that you’re ready to conduct winning legal research, take some time to review products and tools that can help you in your path to success.  

Getting Started with Legal Research Tools   

Legal research is key to drafting effective documents and building winning cases. Legal research solutions have evolved substantially – helping you conduct legal research with increased efficiency and accuracy . Below is a list of legal research tools to help you build a winning case:  

  • Lexis +:  This is the premier LexisNexis fully integrated legal research platform. Features such as Shepard's At Risk ensures you’re citing only the most authoritative sources, with unprecedented visibility into whether a case is at risk of being overruled or undermined. Other Lexis+ features include, but aren’t limited to: 
  • Brief Analysis: Get a clear picture of the contents of your legal brief to identify any missteps and bolster your arguments against opposing counsel. Simply upload and file and quickly evaluate the legal authority cited in your (or an opposing) brief in granular detail and receive recommendations for additional searches.  
  • Litigation Analytics: Get the most accurate insights into judges, courts, attorneys, and law firms to ensure your success in litigation. Understand critical insights regarding caseloads, experience across case types, timing to key milestones, and damages by comparing federal districts and judges. 
  • Shepard's ® Citations Service:  See if a case has been overturned, reaffirmed, questioned, or cited by later cases, or is at risk of negative treatment. Your research needs to provide precedential value. Using reversed or overruled authority doesn't qualify as "Good Law" and your research may be ineffectual or harmful to your case.  
  • Practical Guidance: View professional insights on 20 different practice areas. Accomplish any task with practice notes, annotated templates, and checklists.  
  • Legal News Hub: Receive up-to-the-minute, award-winning journalism and legal news from Law360 and Law360 Pulse anytime you need it — without having to leave the Lexis+ ecosystem. Stay current on critical developments across legal practice areas, with over 70 coverage areas spanning the practice and business of law. 

LexisNexis is here to support your firm in winning your next case. With Lexis+, all of your legal research needs are integrated into one platform as a true start-to-finish solution. Ready to learn more? Take a guided tour of Lexis+ today. 

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Built on the same trusted foundation, versions of Westlaw are available to meet your needs — and your budget

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Get accurate and comprehensive legal research you can trust.

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Access the most comprehensive collection of primary and secondary law for thorough research.

Find related law quickly with the most reputable and granular subject classification system, the Key Number System.

Work confidently, knowing you're relying on good law with the best-in-class citator, KeyCite.

Retrieve background history of attorneys, judges, experts, and companies.

More about Westlaw Classic

Gain a competitive advantage through intelligent insights and analysis.

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Upload legal documents to create a report indicating authority that may have been missed and authority contrary to your opponent’s position.

Access data-driven insights on judges, courts, attorneys, law firms, damages, and case types to enhance your case strategy.

Gain better exposure to invalid law with KeyCite Overruling Risk.

Instantly compare statute and regulation versions.

Includes all the features and functionality of Westlaw Classic.

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Harness the power of generative AI and more precise researching.

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AI-Assisted Research on Westlaw Precision provides relevant answers to research questions with links to trusted Westlaw authority so you can make more well-informed decisions and complete the remainder of your research with increased efficiency.

Search, filter, and browse by topic in half the time.

Quickly see the specific point of law in a case that has been invalidated.

View related cases that have a pattern of being cited together even if neither cites the other.

Includes all the features and functionality of Westlaw Edge.

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Westlaw is the most trusted and award-winning legal research service.

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