If you're looking for an online version of Westlaw, you might be wondering if there are any Westlaw alternatives. These legal databases offer legal research that is similar to Westlaw's paid version but do not have all the features. These databases can be used to help you decide if they are worth the effort.
Fastcase
Fastcase is a great option if you are looking for a free way to search for legal opinions. This open-source alternative provides access to a massive legal database. But, to search the database effectively, you'll have to scan and index legal opinion in books. Fastcase has outsourced its indexing. Here are some pros and con's to Fastcase as a primary legal research tool:
While you might not get as much out of Fastcase as you do from Westlaw, it offers an impressive set of features. For example, you can view an extensive list of cases that were cited in later decisions. These cases also allow you to view arguments as well as the results. Fastcase offers three pricing options. Each one has different features. Casetext provides access to federal and state court cases, statutes and regulations, aswell as citation lookups. This database contains millions federal court cases, dating back to 1925.
VersusLaw
VersusLaw's Standard Plan represents the most basic subscription. This plan contains most of what is covered under the Standard Plan, but it doesn't include Pennsylvania. VersusLaw provides administrative regulations for more than thirty states in the United States, other than Pennsylvania. VersusLaw has the latest legal developments available, so you can access current and historical case law. The service's greatest weakness is the omission Pennsylvania case law.
Its cost is half that of Westlaw. This makes it a great choice for those who are looking for affordable, simple-to-use legal research. Its library includes the core U.S. court decisions, federal, state, and administrative codes. The cost is much lower than LexisNexis. VersusLaw targets solo lawyers, small firms and academic law libraries as well as non-lawyers.
CALI
If you don't want to pay for the CALI Westlaw subscription, there are many alternatives. CALI is a program made by Law professors. It produces over 1,000 online tutorials. The material is written for law students and is free to use. To access CALI, simply visit their website and enter your school authorization code. After registering, you will need to create a password. Once you are signed up, you will have unlimited access to legal research materials created by law professors from across the country.
LexisONE
LexisONE (Law Research Product) is the latest LexisNexis product. LexisONE is a subscription-based online legal research service. It offers 5 years free case law and legal forms. There are also links to over 20k law-related web sites. It is a great substitute for Westlaw. You don't need to download it or register. It is also a great way to save money on the expensive Westlaw subscription.
The company offers a free trial. It is an excellent replacement for Westlaw. There are no additional charges and the company offers top-rated customer support. You can also use it for free up to the expiration of your Westlaw subscription. Moreover, you can use the full range of features offered by Westlaw, including case summaries written by judges. Even if you are not familiar with the area, this service will allow you to view any case in any country.
FAQ
Can I become an attorney without going to law school
Yes, you can!
A non-lawyer college degree will suffice if your knowledge of the legal system is good. You should learn how laws work together and what makes them different.
You should know how to understand and interpret statutes, regulations or court decisions. You should understand the basic concepts of constitutional law, administrative law, contract law, property law, criminal law, civil procedure, evidence, torts, bankruptcy, intellectual property, and employment law.
The bar exam is required to be able to practice law. The bar exam tests your knowledge of the law and your ability to apply the law to real-life situations. It measures your knowledge of the law, your ability and ability to analyze cases and create briefs.
The oral and written sections of the bar exam are split into two sections. The written portion consists of multiple choice question. The oral part consists of simulated trials. Before you can take the bar exam, it is important to study for at least a few months.
Passing the bar exam is not enough. You must also be admitted to the state where your intention to practice legal profession. There are different admission requirements depending on which jurisdiction you live in. Please check with the State Bar Association for more details.
What is the distinction between a transactional attorney and a lawsuit lawyer?
An attorney who specializes in transactional law is likely to encounter different legal issues than one who focuses on litigation. Transactional lawyers specialize in contracts, real property transactions, business formation, and intellectual property issues. The litigation attorneys are specialized in disputes involving corporations, partnerships and trusts. They also handle insurance claims and personal injuries cases.
Both types of attorney require different knowledge and skills for each case. If you are looking to hire a transactional lawyer, for example, he will need to be able to prepare agreements, negotiate terms, and handle conflicts. An attorney in litigation must be well versed in the rules of evidence, limitations, discovery rules, etc.
Additionally, the differences could be based on the client's location. A New York City attorney may not be as familiar in California as an attorney working in California. A Florida attorney may not be as familiar in Texas with Texas laws, than someone who practiced in Texas.
What's the difference between a personal injury lawyer versus a civil rights attorney?
People who are hurt by no fault of theirs can have personal injury lawyers representing them. These injuries include dog bites and slip-and falls, car accidents, and other types of injury.
These civil rights lawyers represent individuals whose constitutional rights have not been respected. You can find discrimination based upon race, gender and sexual orientation as well as disability.
Statistics
- Just 59.2 percent of 2015 law school grads held full-time, long-term jobs as lawyers 10 months after graduation, according to data from the American Bar Association (ABA). (rasmussen.edu)
- The states that saw the biggest increase in average salary over the last 5 years are Rhode Island (+26.6%), Wisconsin (+24.1), Massachusetts (23.2%), Wyoming (18.3%), and North Dakota (18.1%). (legal.io)
- A Johns Hopkins study of more than 100 professions found lawyers the most likely to have severe depression—four times more likely than the average person. (rasmussen.edu)
- Though the BLS predicts that growth in employment for lawyers will continue at six percent through 2024, that growth may not be enough to provide jobs for all graduating law school students. (rasmussen.edu)
- According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for lawyers in 2020 was $126,930. (stfrancislaw.com)
External Links
How To
How can I get free legal help?
It can be hard to find a lawyer who is pro bono because there are so many attorneys out there looking for your business. There are several ways you can go about finding a pro bono attorney. You can reach out to your local bar association to ask for recommendations, search online for pro bono service providers, or check with the state bar association. Another way to find a pro bono attorney is through a local law school. Many law schools offer students the chance to help low-income clients in order to provide them with justice. If none of these options seem like a good fit for you, then you should consider contacting a nonprofit organization such as Legal Services Corporation (LSC). LSC supports nonprofit organizations throughout the country that provide civil legal help to people living below poverty lines. LSC funds programs that help low-income people with housing, child support enforcement, family legal matters, consumer protection and bankruptcy, as well as public benefits. LSC offers financial assistance and also guides grantees in how to best serve clients. Among the services that LSC offers are:
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Financial counseling
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Assistance with bankruptcy filing
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Helping families resolve domestic violence situations
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Representation before administrative bodies
These are some helpful tips for those who are searching for pro bono lawyers.
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It is not worth your time to search for a lawyer who can handle your case. Pro bono lawyers may represent many types of clients. They will likely not have any experience dealing with your specific issue.
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You should look for a lawyer with experience representing low-income clients. This means the lawyer is familiar with how to effectively communicate with this population.
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Ask the lawyer if they have any training in your particular area. If you are dealing with landlord/tenant matters, make sure the lawyer you choose is experienced in handling these types of cases.
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Check to see if the lawyer will accept new clients. Some lawyers specialize in certain types of cases. You may not be able find one that works exclusively with pro bono clients.
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Do not believe lawyers who claim to specialize within a specific area of law. Many lawyers claim they are specialists in a specific area of law but do not know enough about the subject matter.
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It is important to ensure that the lawyer has a solid reputation. Ask your family members and friends to recommend a lawyer. Also, search online for reviews from other clients.