Using LexisNexis and Westlaw to Find Cases by Subject

Step 1: Choose database to use (e.g., state cases, federal cases)

• use Westlaw Directory or LexisNexis Look for A Source
• select most specific database possible that will satisfy research needs

Step 2: Select key terms for the research issue

• use Thesaurus (Westlaw) or Suggest Terms for My Search (Lexis) to come up with alternatives
• Remember to:
  • use singular form of a word (retrieves both singular & plural, including irregular plurals and possessives)
  • use quotes cautiously
  • use hyphens (good-will retrieves good-will, good will, and goodwill on Westlaw)
  • use periods in acronyms (I.R.S. retrieves I.R.S., I R S, and IRS on Westlaw)
• Consider alternative endings for terms
  • use root expander (!) at end of root term to retrieve word with any ending

Step 3: Select connectors to use between individual terms

• the most effective connectors for searching in full-text documents are usually /p (within paragraph) and /s (within sentence)
• Others include and (within same document), or (either term or both), +s, and +p
• for phrases, Westlaw requires quotation marks, Lexis does not

Step 4: Consider limiting search to part of document

• Use appropriate fields on Westlaw or segments on Lexis

Step 5: Consider whether a date restriction is appropriate

• can limit to cases before or after a specified date, or between two specified dates
• case use preset options (e.g., last 30 days, year to date, last 3 years, etc.)

Step 6: Run search

Step 7: Depending on results, choose among following:

• review results of search
• use Locate (Westlaw) or Focus (Lexis) to further search within results
• edit search query and run new search
• change databases and run same or edited search