Litigation Analytics Using Westlaw, Lexis, and Bloomberg Law
| Publication year | 2023 |
| Pages | 10 |
DEPARTMENT | LEGAL RESEARCH CORNER
BY ELAINE TORNES BLANCO
The litigation process is complex and involves several variables. Those who can anticipate the opponent's moves to prepare their defense and offensive strategy usually prevail. But we know this is a challenging task. Preparing a case requires sufficient resources, time, and consideration of elements beyond our control, such as the behavior of judges. Fortunately, today there are technological tools that can help lawyers predict the outcome of a case and reduce surprises.
This article discusses litigation analytics tools available through Westlaw, Lexis, and Bloomberg Law. These technological resources can help lawyers build strong cases and address client needs quickly and efficiently, making them powerful tools for lawyers who know how to use them.
Westlaw Litigation Analytics
Westlaw's Litigation Analytics tool provides access to relevant data on judges, lawyers, courts, and case types in most practice areas. It boasts a user-friendly interface that allows lawyers to easily visualize a volume of information that might otherwise seem overwhelming.
To use this tool, you must have a qualifying Westlaw account. Once you access the platform, click on "Litigation Analytics" at the bottom of the screen. The Attorneys, Law Firms, Judges, Courts, Damages, Case Types, and Companies tabs will be immediately viewable. [1]
Attorneys
Select the Attorneys tab to learn about the opponent's tendencies and experience, or to find a local lawyer. You can search for attorneys by the lawyer's name or expertise. To search by name, type the full name or last name and press enter. Once you identify and select the
lawyer you're interested in, you'll have access to the lawyer's case history. This includes such information as the outcome and subject matter of the case, the forum in which the case was heard, the lawyer's role, the time it took to resolve the case, and the judges who presided.
To search by expertise, click on "Select case type(s)" and choose the jurisdiction. A window will open showing the lawyers who have worked on cases related to the selected subject. You can organize the results chronologically by the number of dockets, in alphabetical order, or by representation of either the plaintiff or defendant. You also might find additional information such as the size of the law firm and the attorney's educational background.
Law Firms
If you prefer to search by law firm rather than by attorney, select the Law Firms tab. From here, type in the firm's name and press enter. You'll see the firm's contact information, a breakdown of the firm's experience (including the types of cases handled), a breakdown of motions filed, how successful the firm has been, and the firm's most recent activity.
Judges
You can use the Judges tab to learn about a particular judge's patterns and thus tailor your strategy accordingly. Just type the name of the judge into the search bar. You'll see the judge's decision trends, average time to resolve each motion, experience in...
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