Smarter Week

How to automate it

How to automate “do legal research and check citations”

Here is the best way to spend less time on this, best first. Each comes with steps you can follow today.

90 min
typically, a few times a week
50%
of the time can be automated
Some setup
to set up

Fix 1 of 1

Software feature

Start research in the AI tool inside your legal research service

Westlaw with CoCounsel, Lexis+ AI and vLex Vincent answer research questions with links to real authorities, which is safer than a general chatbot. You still read and cite-check every source.

Typically saves about 35% of the time15 min to set up
  1. 1Use the AI research feature in your firm's research service, not a general chatbot.
  2. 2Ask the question in plain words with jurisdiction and facts.
  3. 3Open and read every case it cites; check it is still good law.
  4. 4Save the research memo to the matter.

Tools: Westlaw with CoCounsel · Lexis+ AI · vLex Vincent AI · Bloomberg Law

Who does this task

Roles in our library that list this as one of their common tasks. Each guide covers the rest of that role’s week.

Paralegal / Legal AssistantAttorney / Lawyer (firm)

HourLeak · the 8-minute work audit

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Other common tasks for Paralegals / Legal Assistants