Casetext is a cloud-based legal research platform that helps lawyers and legal professionals streamline their workflow. By combining artificial intelligence and natural language processing, it simplifies complex legal research tasks and document management.
The platform offers comprehensive access to federal and state cases, regulations, and statutes. Users can perform detailed searches using natural language queries or boolean logic, making it easier to find relevant legal information. The built-in AI assistant helps analyze cases, draft documents, and review contracts for compliance issues.
Legal professionals can also benefit from features like case summaries, automated alerts, and document management tools. The platform integrates with popular legal software such as Clio and Priori, helping users maintain efficient workflows. Starting at $220 per month, Casetext offers various subscription plans to suit different needs, with a free trial available for new users.
The tool serves multiple purposes in a legal setting, from conducting thorough research and drafting documents to managing cases and ensuring contract compliance. Its community-driven approach allows users to contribute to a shared knowledge base, helping track how cases are cited and interpreted over time.
Casetext stands out as a robust legal research tool with solid AI-powered features like SmartCite, which helps lawyers find relevant cases and verify their current legal standing. Its pricing and integration capabilities make it attractive for legal professionals, though users have noted some limitations in its secondary sources and API accessibility.
While the tool offers impressive research capabilities, it isn't without drawbacks. The platform's restricted secondary sources and lack of an open API might pose challenges for some users. Despite these concerns, Casetext continues to provide valuable support for legal research, balancing advanced technology with practical functionality.
CoCounsel is Casetext's AI legal assistant that can draft documents, analyze contracts, and help with legal tasks. The research platform is their original offering that helps you find cases and statutes. Think of CoCounsel as the active helper that does work for you, while the research platform is where you search for information yourself. Many lawyers use both together - researching with the platform and then using CoCounsel to help create the actual legal work product.
How accurate is Casetext's AI compared to traditional legal research?Casetext's AI is quite reliable, but it works best when paired with your legal expertise. Users report finding relevant cases they'd have missed with traditional methods. The AI looks at the context of your research, not just keywords, which can lead to better results. That said, no AI tool is perfect - always review the AI's work and use your judgment. Many attorneys tell us they save hours of research time while finding better precedents using Casetext's system.
Can I upload my own documents to Casetext?Yes! You can upload your own documents to Casetext, and this is one of its most helpful features. You can upload briefs, memos, or pleadings, and the system will analyze them to find relevant cases and statutes. This works great when you're responding to another party's brief or want to improve your own work. The platform keeps your uploads private and secure. Just note that file size limits apply, and you'll want to use PDF format for best results.
Do I need to be tech-savvy to use Casetext effectively?Not at all. Casetext is built for lawyers of all tech skill levels. The search bar works just like Google - type what you're looking for in plain English. The interface is clean and simple to navigate, with helpful tooltips throughout. Most users tell us they're comfortable using the basic features within minutes. If you can use email and search engines, you can use Casetext. Their support team also offers free training and is known for quick responses if you get stuck.
How does Casetext compare to Westlaw and LexisNexis?Casetext offers similar core legal research capabilities to Westlaw and LexisNexis but with some key differences. It's generally more affordable while still providing access to cases, statutes, and regulations. Casetext's AI search technology helps find relevant cases without needing perfect search terms. Where it might lag behind is in the depth of secondary sources and specialized practice materials. Many firms use Casetext alongside these traditional services, keeping Westlaw/Lexis for deep dives but using Casetext for day-to-day research because of its speed and user-friendly design.
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