Did you know that there were 366,200 employed paralegals and legal assistants in the US (BLS, 2023)? With median wages at $61,010 per year, theirs is a well-paying profession, indeed.
As it should be considering their crucial roles in the legal industry. Legal research is their foremost responsibility, and it involves, among others:
- Investigating, gathering, and analyzing case-related information
- Researching laws, legal articles, and IRRs relevant to their cases
Where do paralegals perform their research? You can start with the best legal research databases for paralegals. These are comprehensive resources for cases, laws, and legal articles.
Here, we’ll compare Westlaw vs. LexisNexis vs Bloomberg Law, the most popular databases. We’ll discuss their unique features, pros and cons, and tips for using them.
You’ll want to master these legal research databases for paralegals, too. Doing so means being more effective in providing support services to lawyers.
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Key Features of Legal Research Databases
Know what makes legal research databases vital in paralegal work first.
What Makes a Legal Research Database Effective
Paralegals need these key features from legal research tools.
- Comprehensiveness: The database must offer a comprehensive collection of legal materials.
- Speed: The database provides fast retrieval of relevant legal documents. AI-assisted tools and intuitive search functions make it possible.
- Accuracy: The tools provide the most up-to-date, accurate, and authoritative sources.
The best legal research databases also have user-friendly interfaces and customization options.
Core Features Common Across Platforms
Each of the featured legal research databases for paralegals has unique features. But their core and common features are as follows.
- Case law search
- Statutes and regulations access
- Secondary sources
- Citations and legal analysis
Overview of Subscription-Based Platforms
The featured legal research databases usually offer a subscription-based model. Your company will pay based on factors like the following:
- Specific features and/or content
- Number of users
- Scope and type of access
- Usage volume
The subscription-based model can be expensive. Smaller firms usually use only one paid platform and use free alternatives. Larger firms usually subscribe to all three databases.
Westlaw: An Overview for Paralegals
Thomson Reuters, a well-known media and information company, offers Westlaw.
Introduction to Westlaw
Westlaw was a print-based system launched in 1975. Today, it’s among the best legal databases for paralegals, thanks to its powerful technology.
Key Features
There are three standout Westlaw features that make it among the best legal research databases.
- Advanced search capabilities: Westlaw offers Boolean search features, smart filters, and natural language queries.
- Access to core legal materials: Westlaw has a comprehensive database that includes federal and state laws, court opinions, and legal commentaries.
- Practical Law: Westlaw’s Practical Law section provides step-by-step guides, explanations, model documents, and checklists.
Pros of Westlaw
- User-friendly interface
- Excellent customer support and training options
- Comprehensive legal library
Cons of Westlaw
- Higher subscription costs
- Steep learning curve for new users
Tips for Paralegals Using Westlaw
- Use shortcuts and filters for more efficient searches.
- Check for updates to case law on a regular basis.
- Take advantage of Westlaw’s “KeyCite” for citation tracking.
LexisNexis: A Comprehensive Legal Research Tool
RELX plc is the multinational information and analytics company that owns LexisNexis.
Introduction to LexisNexis
Launched in the 1970s, LexisNexis is among the first electronic legal research tools. Today, it offers excellent paralegal research resources in many areas of law.
Key Features
You’ll find many efficient features that make legal research work in your favor.
- Extensive legal library: LexisNexis has an extensive database including primary and secondary sources. Their depth and breadth make it among the best legal research databases for paralegals.
- Advanced search capabilities: Paralegals praise the advanced search functions in LexisNexis’ database. Filters, terms, and connectors make searches easier and faster.
- Access to news, public records, and legal journals: These expand the sources of information that paralegals can gather.
Pros of LexisNexis
- A vast database of public records
- Customizable alerts and research folders
- Strong integration with legal practice management tools
Cons of LexisNexis
- The interface can be overwhelming for beginners
- Pricing may be prohibitive for smaller firms
Tips for Paralegals Using LexisNexis
Don’t let the interface prevent you from maximizing its features. Here are LexisNexis search tips to adopt.
- Use the “Lexis Advance” interface for a smoother search experience.
- Set up alerts for case updates in specific practice areas.
- Organize research in folders for easy access and collaboration.
Bloomberg Law: A Modern Legal Research Option
Bloomberg L.P., a privately held company, owns Bloomberg Law. Launched in 2009, it’s a subscription-based legal research service.
Introduction to Bloomberg Law
Bloomberg Law isn’t your traditional legal research database. But it gives Westlaw and LexisNexis a run for their money through its popular features.
Key Features
Look out for these key features if you’re using Bloomberg Law for legal research.
- Access to primary and secondary legal materials: Bloomberg Law offers an evolving – and growing – collection of primary and secondary legal materials.
- Bloomberg Law’s focus on corporate law and transactional resources: Besides traditional legal content, Bloomberg Law combines it with real-time business intelligence. If you’re a paralegal working in transactional, financial, or corporate law, choose it.
- Comprehensive news section for legal updates and business law trends: Bloomberg L.P. boasts extensive media resources from which these updates are culled.
Pros of Bloomberg Law
- Highly valuable for corporate and financial law
- Integrated access to business and economic news
- User-friendly interface
Cons of Bloomberg Law
- May not be as comprehensive for non-corporate legal areas
- Limited content for some practice areas compared to Westlaw or LexisNexis
Tips for Paralegals Using Bloomberg Law
Here are useful tips to maximize and overcome, respectively, these Bloomberg Law pros and cons.
- Leverage Bloomberg’s “Intelligence” section for insights on industry trends.
- Use Bloomberg Law’s templates for drafting legal documents.
- Maximize “Litigation Analytics” for case outcomes and judicial behaviors.
Comparative Analysis: Westlaw vs. LexisNexis vs. Bloomberg Law
Comparison of Key Features
| Westlaw | LexisNexis | Bloomberg Law | |
| Search Capabilities | Fast and accurate results | Detailed and customizable search, but can be complicated for new users | User-friendly interface with advanced search tools |
| Coverage | Excellent scope of primary and secondary sources | Extensive coverage for public records, legal commentary, and regulatory content | Best for business, finance, corporate law, and M&A |
| Training and Support | Extensive tutorials, live support, and webinars. Also offers certifications. | Robust training for individuals. Offers customizable support for companies. | User-friendly help center. Training materials for firms are available, too. |
| Subscription Pricing | High cost. Best for medium to large companies | Pricing varies, although it’s more flexible. | Moderate to high cost. |
Pros and Cons Across Platforms
Westlaw offers a comprehensive case law library. In contrast, LexisNexis has a more extensive public records database.
Bloomberg Law integrates business and financial news. Westlaw and LexisNexis have a broader scope.
Best Database for Specific Practice Areas
In general, Westlaw is best for general litigation and case law. LexisNexis is ideal for regulatory and public records research. Bloomberg Law is best for corporate, financial, and transactional law.
Choosing the Right Database for Your Firm
- Identify your company’s primary practice areas (e.g., litigation and appeals).
- Determine your research needs and the best tools for them.
- Assess your team’s legal research experience and skills.
- Set a budget.
- Request a demo and a trial, if possible.
- Choose your legal research database.
Best Practices for Effective Use of Legal Research Databases
Legal research for paralegals is a serious business because of the high stakes involved. Keep these best practices in mind to maximize the use of legal research databases.
Adopting Effective Time Management
Save time and effort by:
- Using filters, natural language, and Boolean search
- Saving your used searches
- Setting up alerts
- Using bookmarks
Staying Up-to-Date
Keep current with new case law, regulations, and legal trends by:
- Getting email alerts
- Following pages for relevant practice areas
- Reviewing case history tools
Organizing Your Research
Store and categorize research materials by:
- Creating folders by case and/or client
- Adding highlights and notes
- Using tags and labels
- Exporting documents with citations
Collaboration with Attorneys
Share your research with lawyers for case preparation by:
- Using export tools and shared folders
- Using built-in citation tools
- Highlighting relevant parts
Continuous Learning
Engage in training to stay updated on new features and tools, too. Take advantage of help centers and request personalized training.
Conclusion
Legal research databases for paralegals are vital tools in the legal industry. Paralegals can find accurate legal information to support lawyers in their work. However, like all tools, these are only as good as the humans who use them.
In comparing Westlaw, LexisNexis, and Bloomberg Law, we can say that:
- Westlaw is best for litigation support and case law.
- LexisNexis is ideal for public records access and regulatory research.
- Bloomberg Law is excellent for research into corporate and financial law.
In conclusion, you must choose the tool based on your research needs. Be sure to consider your law firm’s needs and budget, too. Most importantly, engage in continuous learning to improve your research skills. You’ll maintain your competitive edge in doing so.
