You might be curious if there are other Westlaw alternatives if you are looking for an online Westlaw version. These legal databases offer legal research that is similar to Westlaw's paid version but do not have all the features. These are the most important databases to help you decide if these are worth your time.
Fastcase
Fastcase might be worth looking into if you want to search for legal opinions without having to pay any fees. This open-source alternative gives you access a huge legal database. However, in order to search its database effectively, you'll need to scan and index legal opinions in books. Fastcase outsources indexing work. These are the pros and disadvantages of Fastcase being your primary legal research tool.
Fastcase might not have as many features as Westlaw's, but it has a remarkable set of features. For example, you can view an extensive list of cases that were cited in later decisions. In these cases, you can also view arguments or the results. Fastcase comes with three pricing options, each offering 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 is our most basic subscription. Although it does not include Pennsylvania, this plan covers most of the material covered by the Standard Plan. VersusLaw also offers administrative regulations in over 30 U.S. States. VersusLaw offers access to all the latest legal developments, regardless of whether you are searching for case law from today or past cases. Its main weakness is its failure to include Pennsylvanian case law.
It is approximately half the price of Westlaw. This is an attractive option for those seeking low-cost, easy to use legal research. Its database includes U.S. court decisions as well as federal, state and administrative codes. The cost is much lower than LexisNexis. VersusLaw targets sole practitioners, small law firms, academic libraries, and other 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. It is designed for law students, and it is completely free to download. To access CALI, simply visit their website and enter your school authorization code. Next, enter your school authorization code to access CALI. Once you have signed in, you will gain access to thousands upon thousands of legal research material written by professors across this country.
LexisONE
LexisONE is the latest legal research product from LexisNexis. 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 perfect substitute for Westlaw, and requires no download or registration. You can also save money by not purchasing a Westlaw subscription.
It also offers a free trial and can be used as a replacement for Westlaw. There are no additional charges and the company offers top-rated customer support. It is free to use until your Westlaw subscription ends. Additionally, you have access to all the features of Westlaw, including summaries from judges. You can also access any case from any jurisdiction with this service, even if your are new to the field.
FAQ
How are lawyers paid?
Hourly rates are used to bill clients for legal services. Lawyers get paid for the time they invest in these matters. The complexity of the matter and how experienced a lawyer is will affect the hourly rate.
The most experienced lawyers charge higher hourly fees because they have developed expertise over many years.
An experienced lawyer might charge less per hour as he/she teaches how to better handle cases.
Additional compensation is often offered to lawyers for the handling of certain types cases, in addition to their hourly rates. If they are acquitted, for example, criminal defense lawyers might be eligible to receive bonuses.
What is the average time it takes to become a lawyer.
The answer is not as simple as you might think. While you need to be a hard worker for at most four years after graduating high school, there are also other factors.
You also have to pass exams and do well enough on them to get into law school. You'll then spend two more years studying law.
After all of this, your law school degree will be awarded. You will now be a licensed attorney after passing the exam.
Are all attorneys required to wear suits?
It is not necessary. Some people prefer casual wear while others prefer suits. Many lawyers dress casually. However, certain states require that lawyers dress in business attire.
What's the difference between a personal injury lawyer versus a civil rights attorney?
Individuals who are injured due to no fault of their own can seek the help of personal injury lawyers. These injuries can include car accidents, slip and falls, dog bites, among others.
These civil rights lawyers represent individuals whose constitutional rights have not been respected. Discrimination on the basis of race, gender, religion, disability, or any other factor is an example.
What is a pro-bono lawyer?
Pro bono lawyers are those who provide legal services at no cost to people who can't afford them. This is usually a part of their day, but they can also do it at their own expense. They can help elderly clients with estate planning questions or represent indigent defendants.
What is the difference between paralegals and legal assistants?
Paralegals are trained in specific tasks, such as filing, typing, or researching. Paralegals can assist attorneys with research, writing motions, and preparation of pleadings. Both types of professionals help attorneys complete their workload.
Can I become a Lawyer without Law School?
Yes, you can!
It is enough to have a degree from a university that does not teach law if you have an excellent understanding of the legal system. It is important to understand how laws work together, and how they differ.
You should be able read and understand statutes, regulations, court decisions, case law, and other legal documents. Understanding basic concepts of Constitution, Administrative, Contract, Property, Criminal, Civil Procedure, Evidence, Torts, Bankruptcy, Intellectual Property, Employment Law is essential.
You must pass the bar examination to practice law. The bar exam measures your law knowledge and ability to use the law in real-life situations. This exam tests your knowledge of the law as well as your ability to read and analyze cases.
The bar exam has two phases. One is the written section, and one is the oral section. The written part is composed of multiple choice questions. The oral part is composed of simulated trials. Before you can take the bar exam, it is important to study for at least a few months.
You will need to pass the bar exam and be admitted to the state in which you want to practice law. The requirements for admission vary by jurisdiction. Check with the State Bar Association to find out more.
Statistics
- The median annual salary for lawyers in 2016 was $118,160, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). (rasmussen.edu)
- According to the Law School Admission Council, the number of people applying for these programs was up 13% last fall. (stfrancislaw.com)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
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 avenues you can use to locate a pro bono legal representative. You can ask around at your local bar association, look online for a list of attorneys who offer pro bono services, or check with your state's bar association. Local law schools are another option for finding a pro-bono attorney. Many law schools offer students the chance to help low-income clients in order to provide them with justice. If none of the above options sound appealing to you, you may want to contact a nonprofit organization like Legal Services Corporation. 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 not only provides financial assistance but also offers guidance and support to its grantees regarding how to best serve their clients. For example, some of the services provided include:
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Financial counseling
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Assistance with filing for bankruptcy
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Family violence cases can be resolved by helping families
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Representation before administrative agencies
Here are some tips to help you find a pro bono lawyer if you are struggling to find one.
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It is not worth your time to search for a lawyer who can handle your case. Pro bono attorneys often represent multiple types of clients. Therefore, they will not likely have much experience in working with your particular issue.
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Consider hiring a lawyer that has had experience representing clients with low income. This indicates that he or she has experience in representing low-income clients.
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Ask if the lawyer is certified in your specific area. Consider, for example, whether the lawyer is familiar with handling landlord-tenant cases.
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Find out if they 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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Avoid lawyers who claim they are experts in one particular area of law. Many lawyers say they practice in areas outside of their degree but don't know much about the subject matter.
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Check that the lawyer has a good reputation. Ask close friends and family for recommendations. Find reviews online from clients.