The G2 on Westlaw

Westlaw Pros and Cons: Top 5 Advantages and Disadvantages

Quick AI Summary Based on G2 Reviews

Generated from real user reviews

Users find Westlaw to be extremely easy to use, appreciating its simple navigation and helpful resources. (3 mentions)

Users find Westlaw's complete searches and AI tools extremely helpful for fast and easy legal research. (3 mentions)

Users appreciate the organization of Westlaw, finding legal research easy and crucial information readily accessible. (2 mentions)

Users appreciate the organized formatting of Westlaw, making case details obvious and easily accessible for decision-making. (1 mentions)

Users find Westlaw's document management straightforward and commend its helpful secondary sources for efficient searching. (1 mentions)

Users find the complexity of the tools challenging when transitioning from different research programs to Westlaw. (1 mentions)

Users find the lack of affordable options for Westlaw to be a significant drawback in their experience. (1 mentions)

Users find the inefficient workflow in Westlaw frustrating due to inconsistent search results and limited data management options. (1 mentions)

Users find limited service functions on Westlaw, wishing for a broader range of options to enhance their experience. (1 mentions)

Users desire more options for refining searches in Westlaw, as the current features feel limited and inconsistent. (1 mentions)

5 Pros or Advantages of Westlaw

1. Ease of Use

Users find Westlaw to be extremely easy to use, appreciating its simple navigation and helpful resources.

See 3 mentions

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Verified User

Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

5.0/5

"Westlaw is the top of the top"

What do you like about Westlaw?

Westlaw is extremely helpful in everyway. Their new AI tool is so great. Research is simple, fast, and easy with WL.

Verified User

Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)

4.0/5

"Go to for legal research"

What do you like about Westlaw?

It's got EVERYTHING, and is super easy to navigate. Not only that, it's just so familiar from law school.

2. Helpful

Users find Westlaw's complete searches and AI tools extremely helpful for fast and easy legal research.

See 3 mentions

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Alexis B.

Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

5.0/5

"Westlake is extremely user friendly and provided me with the most complete records I have requested."

What do you like about Westlaw?

The most helpful is the complete searches that are provided.

Verified User

Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

5.0/5

"Westlaw is the top of the top"

What do you like about Westlaw?

Westlaw is extremely helpful in everyway. Their new AI tool is so great. Research is simple, fast, and easy with WL.

3. Organization

Users appreciate the organization of Westlaw, finding legal research easy and crucial information readily accessible.

See 2 mentions

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Verified User

Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

3.0/5

"There are times and places where Westlaw is the best resource. Other times Lexis Nexis is the best."

What do you like about Westlaw?

I like the formatting, it's easy to take in a decision or appeal and the details of each case study are organized in such a way that crucial informati

Verified User

Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

2.5/5

"It has been a fairly good experience"

What do you like about Westlaw?

Its helpful for legal research and is well-organized

4. Accessibility

Users appreciate the organized formatting of Westlaw, making case details obvious and easily accessible for decision-making.

See 1 mentions

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Verified User

Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

3.0/5

"There are times and places where Westlaw is the best resource. Other times Lexis Nexis is the best."

What do you like about Westlaw?

I like the formatting, it's easy to take in a decision or appeal and the details of each case study are organized in such a way that crucial informati

5. Document Management

Users find Westlaw's document management straightforward and commend its helpful secondary sources for efficient searching.

Users desire more options for refining searches in Westlaw, as the current features feel limited and inconsistent.

See 1 mentions

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Verified User

Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

3.0/5

"There are times and places where Westlaw is the best resource. Other times Lexis Nexis is the best."

What do you dislike about Westlaw?

The search feature is not always consistent. I wish there were more options to refine a search, and more choices to sort and save the data which comes

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Maribel S.

Paralegal

Legal Services

Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

10/7/2019

"Daily Necessity"

4.5/5

What do you like best about Westlaw?

I love that I can find a document quickly and draft it in minutes. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Westlaw?

Can not think of any dislike at the moment. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Laura G.

The McIntosh Law Firm

Law Practice

Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

5/9/2019

"Easy to use"

4.5/5

What do you like best about Westlaw?

The search features on Westlaw are easy to understand and results are displayed clearly. It is easy to filter results within a search for a more refined subject group. I also appreciate the tools Westlaw has for use, including Peoplefinder. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Westlaw?

Search optimization terms are sometimes confusing. Otherwise, it is easy to understand the results of a search and filter content within a search. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Recommendations to others considering Westlaw:

I would recommend Westlaw over other competitors; I've tried them and like Westlaw much more. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is Westlaw solving and how is that benefiting you?

I use Westlaw to conduct legal research and stay abreast of current legal developments. Westlaw makes it easy to find cases and statutes that I need, and to connect those sources to other secondary sources for potential relations. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Verified User in Libraries

Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

10/16/2019

"Best tool for new law students. "

5/5

What do you like best about Westlaw?

Ability to quickly search millions of records and sort through them efficiently. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Westlaw?

Sometimes it’s a little slow and sometimes it can crash and cause you to lose your work Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Verified User in Education Management

Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

11/17/2019

"Positive review"

5/5

What do you like best about Westlaw?

I like how you can save your notes on your case and they will always be there in the future. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Westlaw?

It can be difficult sometimes to Search the document. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Verified User in Law Practice

Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

10/16/2019

"Great platform"

5/5

What do you like best about Westlaw?

It is easy to navigate and has a wealth of information available. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Westlaw?

There isn’t a way to earn rewards currently for research like LexisNexis has. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Verified User in Education Management

Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)

10/24/2019

"Number One Best Legal Research Software"

5/5

What do you like best about Westlaw?

The simplicity of this software. The homepage is easily understandable. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Westlaw?

The expense of this software. If in a firm, this is not of primary concern, but in private practice, the cost is a tad high. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Verified User in Individual & Family Services

Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

9/27/2019

"Use it for law school "

5/5

What do you like best about Westlaw?

I love the easy access and you can find any research or cases. It is wonderful! Great search engine for law students. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Westlaw?

I wish it was more tech-friendly and easy to use. It took me a while to learn the website and how to search. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Verified User in Legal Services

Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

9/3/2019

Business partner of the seller or seller's competitor, not included in G2 scores.

"Brilliant and always evolving "

5/5

What do you like best about Westlaw?

I really like that customer service listens and the database improves over time. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Westlaw?

I do not like that there is no UK phone or tablet app. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Recommendations to others considering Westlaw:

Consider westlaw programmes over other databases as they are consistently kept up to date and always evolving Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is Westlaw solving and how is that benefiting you?

This website has allowed me to access updated nd accurate legislation which is not possible on legislation.gov Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Verified User in Information Technology and Services

Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)

10/10/2019

"Best legal research platform"

5/5

What do you like best about Westlaw?

Westlaw provides easy and intuitive access to secondary sources, case law, and templates Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Westlaw?

While there is a bit of a learning curve, they provide great training guides and resources Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Verified User in Non-Profit Organization Management

Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

12/10/2018

"Go-To Tool for Legal Research"

5/5

What do you like best about Westlaw?

Westlaw's legal research system is the perfect balance of structured and intuitive. I can switch between boolean search structures and natural language, can cast a wide net or drill down to something very specific. I like that Westlaw provides suggestions to direct your research; sometimes those tips have led to helpful new information! Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Westlaw?

Sometimes items Westlaw suggests are outside of the plan we've purchased, and it's frustrating to be unable to access the documents to see if they truly are helpful. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Recommendations to others considering Westlaw:

Westlaw does what it needs to do; it provides efficient access to legal precedent and other legal information. Because of the many ways you can sort and interpret research results in the Westlaw system, you can confidently use the platform to expand your knowledge in a particular area. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is Westlaw solving and how is that benefiting you?

Westlaw is our starting point for legal research. The legal department uses it as a basis for providing legal advice. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.