Re: Lexis and Westlaw vs other on-line CALR

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On 4/19/99, Jon Westerman wrote:
> How do the other computer assisted legal research packages
> (specifically the Internet packages) compare for price,
> speed, and completeness to Lexis and Westlaw? Has anyone
> heard of any cases where an attorney was found to lack
> dilligence because she didn't shepardize the site or
> otherwise check it on-line for up to the instant
precedent?
> What shield from liability if one of the newer CALR systems
> was incomplete or inaccurate?

All I can tell you is that about a year ago I appeared in
federal court [USDC:EDNY] to argue a motion on a Monday
morning and, in front of a courtroomfull of attorneys, the
judge critisized me for being unaware of a 2nd Circuit
decision which had onlr been recently rendered [within a few
days]the prior Friday and, at that time, had only been
reported on Lexis [upon inquiry I learned that it had first
been reported on Lexis the prior Friday]. I can't tell you
how another judge might handle it, but the judge I was before
relied upon the new decision to deny my application.

I would think that as more and more law offices become
technologically oriented there will be greater pressure on
verifying citations/law through on line services up till the
time you actually go into court to argue. In the USDC:EDNY a
number of judges have already voted in favor of paperless
litigation and effectively require litigants to participate
in electronic [internet] filing of all virtually all
documents other than the summons and complaint.

Re: Lexis and Westlaw vs other on-line CALR, 1/17/01, by M J.

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