Westlaw is a comprehensive online legal research platform owned by Thomson Reuters that provides paralegals and attorneys with searchable access to case law, statutes, court documents, and legal analysis tools. With 49% market share, it’s the leading legal research service in the United States and features the unique West Key Number System for organizing legal concepts.
Westlaw stands as the premier legal research platform in the American legal industry. Owned by media conglomerate Thomson Reuters, Westlaw delivers the critical research tools paralegals use daily to support case preparation, legal analysis, and document drafting.
First introduced in the 1970s using dial-up modem technology, Westlaw has evolved into a sophisticated web-based platform that dominates the legal research market. According to the American Bar Association’s Legal Technology Survey, Westlaw controls approximately 49% of the fee-based legal research market.
Today’s paralegals are expected to demonstrate proficiency in Westlaw from day one. Law firms invest heavily in Westlaw subscriptions, and efficient research skills directly impact billable hours and case outcomes. Whether you’re researching case precedents, tracking legislation, or verifying citations, Westlaw serves as your primary legal research tool.
What Is Westlaw?
Westlaw is Thomson Reuters’ flagship legal research database, providing comprehensive access to primary and secondary legal sources. The platform serves as a one-stop resource for legal professionals who need reliable, up-to-date legal information.
The system functions as a massive searchable database containing millions of court decisions, statutes, regulations, and legal commentary. Paralegals use Westlaw to research case law, verify legal citations, track current legislation, and access expert legal analysis.
What sets Westlaw apart is its proprietary West Key Number System, a taxonomical organization method that categorizes over 100,000 legal concepts. This system, combined with attorney-editor enhancements like headnotes, makes legal research more efficient and comprehensive than simple keyword searching.
What Westlaw Offers
Westlaw provides paralegals with access to an extensive library of legal resources and specialized tools designed for efficient legal research and case preparation.
Core Research Features
The platform collates and indexes content from almost every category of American jurisprudence. Paralegals can access:
- Administrative case decisions and case law from federal and state courts
- Arbitration information and alternative dispute resolution resources
- Statutes and court rules at the federal, state, and local levels
- Court orders, opinions, and judicial decisions
- Trial transcripts and briefs from major cases
- Legal encyclopedias, treatises, and law review articles
The system also indexes current news relevant to legal practice and tracks legislation in progress. You can access expert analysis and reports about court decisions’ implications, helping you understand how new rulings might affect your cases.
Ancillary Services and Tools
Beyond core research capabilities, Westlaw offers integrated tools that streamline everyday paralegal tasks. Thomson Reuters provides several popular ancillary services:
| Tool Name | Function | Paralegal Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| WestCheck | Extracts citations from documents and links to full text | Quickly verify and access cited cases in briefs and memos |
| BriefTools | Citation checking and link insertion for word processing | Ensure accurate citations in legal documents |
| CiteAdvisor | Citation formatting and table of authorities creation | Format citations correctly for court filings |
| CourtExpress | Searchable court docket information | Track case status and filing deadlines |
| Westlaw Watch | Keyword monitoring and alerts for new content | Stay updated on developing case law in practice areas |
The platform also provides document-drafting solutions and expert-witness directories. Many law firms use both Westlaw and LexisNexis, the primary competitor, to ensure comprehensive research coverage across legal databases.
Westlaw maintains close relationships with law schools, offering heavily discounted access to students. This means many paralegals gain Westlaw experience during their education. When comparing paralegal programs, check whether they include Westlaw training in their curriculum.
Key Features That Set Westlaw Apart
Westlaw’s competitive advantages stem from proprietary features developed over decades of legal publishing expertise. Understanding these features helps you research more effectively.
The West Key Number System
The West Key Number System represents Westlaw’s most distinctive feature and one of the main challenges for new paralegals. Also called the West American Digest System, this remains the most widely used taxonomical system for organizing American legal cases.
The system works similarly to the Dewey Decimal system libraries use for books. It breaks down American law into more than 400 general topics, such as Civil Rights, Treaties, and Pretrial Procedure. Each general topic is divided into sub-topics, which are further broken down into specific legal concepts.
At the foundation sit over 100,000 specific legal concepts, each assigned a unique key number. When you find a relevant case, you can use its key numbers to discover other cases addressing the same legal concept, even if they use different terminology.
This system provides intelligent research capabilities that combine human editorial judgment with technological indexing. It evolved from founder John B. West’s ambitious 19th-century project publishing bound books organized by key numbers. The digital version maintains this robust organizational structure.
Headnotes and Editorial Enhancements
Westlaw cases include headnotes, which are editor-created summaries of the legal points covered in each decision. These appear at the top of case documents and allow you to scan through multiple cases during research.
Each headnote connects to the Key Number System so that you can jump directly from a headnote to other cases addressing the same legal principle. This feature significantly speeds up research by letting you identify relevant cases without reading full opinions.
The Key Number System and headnotes have become so standard in legal research that understanding them proves valuable even if your firm primarily uses a different platform. Many legal concepts and research approaches reference this organizational structure.
Learning and Certification
Thomson Reuters provides official Westlaw training and certification programs, though access depends on your educational or employment status. Understanding your training options helps you plan your skill development.
Westlaw Certified Program
Thomson Reuters offers the Westlaw Certified program, which provides the only officially recognized Westlaw certificates. The program includes three courses: Westlaw 101, 201, and 301.
You can complete certification online or at participating law school campuses. However, access is restricted to students currently enrolled in legal programs at subscribing schools. You’ll need a registration key from your school to access even the online training materials.
If you’re currently enrolled in a paralegal program, check whether your school offers Westlaw training as part of the curriculum. Many programs include this valuable credential in their course offerings.
Paralegal-Specific Training
For paralegals not currently enrolled in qualifying programs, Westlaw offers a self-paced online course specifically for paralegals. This training is free but requires either a current training account or a Westlaw OnePass login, which firms provide to subscribed customers.
The Westlaw Paralegals training offers three certifications:
| Certification | Lessons Available | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Westlaw Classic Fundamentals for Paralegals | 8-12 online lessons | Complete six lessons, pass the online quiz |
| Statutes Research for Paralegals | 8-12 online lessons | Complete six lessons, pass the online quiz |
| Case Law Research for Paralegals | 8-12 online lessons | Complete six lessons, pass the online quiz |
Because of access restrictions, most law firms don’t require Westlaw certification before hiring. However, having certification from your education or previous employment strengthens your resume. If you’re not certified when hired, your firm will likely provide training and may require certification after you start.
Why Westlaw Skills Matter for Paralegals
Strong Westlaw proficiency directly impacts your value as a paralegal. Law firms invest thousands of dollars annually in Westlaw subscriptions, making efficiency crucial. Paralegals who can quickly locate relevant cases, verify citations, and track legal developments save firms time and money.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, paralegals earn a median annual salary of $56,230. Legal research skills, including proficiency with Westlaw, often correlate with higher compensation. Job postings for experienced paralegals frequently list Westlaw experience as a preferred or required qualification.
The legal field operates on billable hours, where time directly translates to revenue. Paralegals who efficiently navigate Westlaw reduce research time, increase billable productivity, and deliver better results for clients. This efficiency makes you more valuable to employers and opens doors to advancement opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to know Westlaw to work as a paralegal?
Most law firms expect paralegals to have at least a basic familiarity with Westlaw, though many provide on-the-job training. According to job board analysis, Westlaw or similar legal research database experience is listed in approximately 50-60% of paralegal job postings. Even if your firm doesn’t require it immediately, developing Westlaw skills enhances your career prospects and earning potential. Many paralegal certificate programs include Westlaw training to prepare students for workplace expectations.
How much does Westlaw training cost?
Westlaw training is free if you have access through a law school program or employer subscription. Students enrolled in qualifying programs receive complimentary access to Westlaw Certified courses. Working paralegals at firms with Westlaw subscriptions can access free paralegal-specific training modules. However, individual subscriptions for independent practice are expensive, typically costing several hundred dollars monthly.
Can I practice using Westlaw if I’m not enrolled in school or employed?
Westlaw access is generally restricted to enrolled students or employed legal professionals. Some paralegal programs offer alums access for a limited time after graduation. If you’re between positions or still in school, focus on understanding legal research concepts through free resources like Google Scholar for case law. Once you start working, your employer will typically provide access and training.
What’s the difference between Westlaw and LexisNexis?
Both Westlaw and LexisNexis provide comprehensive legal research databases, but they differ in organization and features. Westlaw’s unique West Key Number System offers taxonomic organization of legal concepts, while LexisNexis uses different search and organization methods. Westlaw holds about 49% market share and is slightly more expensive. Many firms subscribe to both for comprehensive coverage. The interface and search syntax differ, so learning both systems proves valuable.
How long does it take to become proficient in Westlaw?
Basic Westlaw proficiency typically takes 2-4 weeks of regular use with proper training. Understanding the West Key Number System and developing efficient search strategies requires 2-3 months of consistent practice. Most paralegals reach a comfortable level of proficiency within their first 6 months on the job. Formal certification courses take 8-12 lessons to complete. Continuous learning remains important as Westlaw regularly updates features and adds new resources.
Do all law firms use Westlaw?
Most mid-size and large law firms subscribe to Westlaw, and many also maintain LexisNexis subscriptions. Some smaller firms may use only one service or rely on free alternatives, such as Google Scholar combined with state-specific databases. Corporate legal departments and government agencies also commonly use Westlaw. Industry estimates suggest approximately 80-85% of law firms with 10 or more attorneys subscribe to Westlaw.
Can I learn Westlaw on my own without formal training?
Yes, many paralegals learn Westlaw through on-the-job practice and self-directed exploration. Westlaw provides helpful tutorials and search tips within the platform. Understanding the West Key Number System requires some study, but the concepts are logical once you grasp the organizational structure. However, formal training accelerates your learning and helps you avoid developing inefficient search habits. If your employer offers training or your school provides certification courses, take advantage of these structured learning opportunities.
Key Takeaways
- Westlaw is the leading legal research platform witha 49% market share, providing comprehensive access to case law, statutes, and legal analysis tools.
- The proprietary West Key Number System organizes over 100,000 legal concepts, enabling efficient research through taxonomical organization rather than just keyword searching.
- Westlaw proficiency is expected in most paralegal positions and correlates with higher earning potential in the legal field.
- Official certification is available through law schools (Westlaw Certified program) and employer-sponsored training (paralegal-specific courses).
- Access restrictions mean most paralegals learn Westlaw through educational programs or employer-provided training rather than individual subscriptions.
- Understanding Westlaw’s headnotes feature and Key Number System significantly improves research efficiency and case law discovery.
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Salary Disclaimer: 2024 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and job market figures for Paralegals and Legal Assistants reflect state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed December 2025.
