I trialed Westlaw and Lexis Nexis each for two weeks when I was setting up my law firm. I didn't have much experience with either and to be honest one of the above is better than none. I found Westlaw to offer a really simple and powerful research tool, all it takes is a few well thought out keywords and you have access to everything at your fingertips - legislation, cases, practice notes, resources etc. I have become so used to this service I would hate to think how I'd cope without it.

Access to "New Westlaw" is fantastic and feels like a special "Google" for lawyers.

I find the searching parameters are a little over the top. Sometimes it's hard to narrow down what you are looking for with so many results.

My research with Westlaw Edge is lightning fast, and I am confident I am not missing any authorities. I don't know what else one wants from a legal research platform, except maybe not to be the one paying the bill.

You get Westlaw because it has the best search algorithm in the legal research industry. That and you are trained to use KeyCite to find ALL of the cases on a particular issue. In short, it saves you time and gives you confidence that you have covered your bases.

It is too expensive for a solo practice.

The product was very good and easy to use. I have no complaints in that department. But honestly, without meaning to offend Westlaw, they are not the 800 pound gorilla anymore. For my purposes they really have been replaced by much cheaper options that, for my purposes, work very efficiently. In fact I think what I'm using now is superior to Westlaw Edge and Westlaw Next at a fraction of the cost. I know it would be hard for them to revise their sales tactics as they worked for so long but us consumers have better options now. The HUGE fees for out of program searches were beyond absurd. The product I use now let's me use all jurisdictions and actually has an equal if not better search engine. Switching from Westlaw Edge was a no brainer for my firm.

Very easy to use and has a good search engine.

The cost was excessive. For a small firm Westlaw Edge was just not a good value compared to newer products on the market of equal quality. The built in price increases outstripped inflation and were not something that I could tolerate. The sales persons were continually changing and seemed to have a "my way or the highway" attitude. I chose the highway and I'm thrilled that I did as I was over West's sales and marketing tactics.

I found the product to perform as advertised but with a cost that was not justified. While happy with the product, I currently pay one-sixth the cost to a competitor (who also happens to provide a superior product).

The software works great in that it's easy to ensure you have completed comprehensive and exhaustive legal research on any given issue.

The problem with Westlaw Edge is that it's prohibitively expensive for all but corporate law firms that can bill their clients for large expenses on a regular basis. For a practitioner that represents individuals, as opposed to business entities, there are many alternate choices that provide the same or better product for much less.

positive operational experience but for the cost.

Westlaw has always been a leader in legal research. This program, like others, is moving to artificial intelligence. the predictive type of research which will help identify the issues. it can help identify the issues but it is really a gatherer of materials that experienced attorneys have already identified. At times it can be overwhelming and too broad that it doesn't help because you have to whittle it down. I am generalizing because the program isn't that different from Lexis. both are improving the programs, each has the standard browser search engine. Westlaw does have something that is a huge asset. It has a wealth of library resources at its disposal so for the larger firms that have a large assortment of case types, it is superior. For the working blue collar attorney with a niche, the program is overkill. I love Westlaw, but sometimes bells and whistles make too much noise.

It costs too much to subscribe to and the add-on resources can surprise you at the end of the month. you are paying for a tool that is used to direct you to other products. Overhead is too critical to the smaller firm that this program prices itself out of range. it is a superior program, it is easy to use, it is informative and opens the deep door to their other resources but it cost too much for a firm with 5 or fewer attorneys.