New Westlaw and Lexis Platforms

Both Westlaw and Lexis plan to unveil new platforms this year (Westlaw's will appear first). Both have been designed to be easier to use. This marks a big change for both systems, and it is partially a response to newer competitors like Fastcase and Bloomberg. This ABA Journal article does a good job of explaining this situation.

Hopefully the new Westlaw and Lexis platforms will not be much more expensive to use than the current systems.



Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Lexis Points for Haiti

The Boalt Hall blog, Nuts & Boalts points out that it is possible to donate Lexis points to the Red Cross. This is a way that cash-strapped students can try to help Haiti relief efforts.



Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

1L / Legal Writing Lexis and Westlaw training

As a virtual being, of course I think doing research online is great. But, learn how to do it effectively and efficiently. For all of you taking Legal Writing, sign up for Lexis and Westlaw training at the Library Circulation desk. Get there early to get your preferred days and times. Your Legal Writing professors agree with me and have made this a mandatory part of your Legal Writing class.

Training takes place in the Lower Level Computer lab in the Library and will start on August 31 and run through September 18th. Click here for the schedule. And . . .

***MAKE SURE TO BRING YOUR REGISTERED LEXIS AND WESTLAW PASSWORDS***




Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Opinions in Westlaw and Lexis

According to this Law.com article, a settlement provision in an Amtrak case called for the judge to "vacate eight of his published opinions and to "direct" Lexis and Westlaw to remove them from their databases." Can a judge really "direct" Lexis and Westlaw to remove published opinions from their databases? Take a look at the article to find out more.
More commentary can be found here at the Volokh Conspiracy.



Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Summer Lexis/Westlaw access

For those of you taking summer classes, doing research for a class or working as a research assistant, you may extend your Lexis and Westlaw passwords for the summer. To do this, use the links for each service in this post and look for the summer access links.



Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Westlaw and Lexis Directories

Law students often have trouble transitioning from the "free" (flat-rate) Westlaw and Lexis access they receive in law school to using these systems at firms where charges must be justified and clients don't like to see large bills for online research.

A common problem clerks and new attorneys who use these systems have is spending too much time looking for the right database (this can be especially costly if your firm is paying for access by the minute), and searching in the wrong database before finding the right one (assuming there is a right one).

Both Westlaw and Lexis offer free searchable directories of their databases, which can help you reduce your searching costs by finding the right database before you've even entered your ID or password.

They are:

Westlaw

Lexis

Of course, over-reliance on Westlaw and Lexis is a problem too, when so much legal information is available online for free.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat