Recently, we have had several patrons ask us about AI legal research resources at the Law Library.
Answer: Not Yet!
Tools like Lexis+ AI and CoCounsel (by Casetext/Thomson Reuters) are exciting new products, but they are not available for free. They sit behind paid subscriptions, and most local practitioners, students, or members of the public will not have direct access.
Because of that, we created this guide to help patrons understand:
- What these AI tools actually do
- Where the risks and limitations are
- How you can still use AI responsibly, even without a subscription!
What the New AI Research Tools Promise
- Lexis+ AI (LexisNexis): Integrates with Lexis+ and allows conversational research, automated drafting, and case law verification through Shepard’s.
- CoCounsel (Casetext/Thomson Reuters): Uses GPT technology to summarize discovery, draft memos, prep deposition outlines, and analyze contracts.
What You Should Know Before Relying on AI Research Tools
- Verification is essential. AI can generate incorrect or even “hallucinated” cases. Lawyers are still responsible under ethics rules for every citation.
- Cost and access. These products are priced for firms and institutions, not individuals. Many solo or small-firm practitioners (and certainly self-represented litigants) won’t be able to afford them.
- Confidentiality risks. Uploading client data into third-party AI platforms raises concerns about privilege and security.
Free Alternatives!
Even without subscription AI research tools, you can still combine free resources with responsible use of general AI platforms like ChatGPT:
- Free case law and statutes: GovInfo, Caselaw Access Project, Missouri Revisor of Statutes, Illinois General Assembly.
- Law Library of Congress Legal Research Guides: Trusted, public guides on a wide range of topics.
- Responsible AI use: General AI tools (like ChatGPT) can help brainstorm research strategies or explain concepts in plain language. But they should never be the final word. Always double-check against authoritative sources.
AI in legal research is evolving quickly. Right now, it can assist with brainstorming and summarizing, but it cannot replace careful research in primary sources. As these tools develop, we’ll continue to evaluate them for library access.
For now, LLASTL remains committed to helping patrons find reliable, free, and authoritative resources to meet their research needs! Contact us for more resources if you are unable to find what you need on our website.