The changing face of online research
Article Abstract:
Lexis-Nexis and Westlaw remain the dominant legal online research services amidst growing subscription choices and emerging Internet services. While other subscription services, CD-ROM products and Internet services are becoming viable alternatives to these two giant subscribers, Lexis-Nexis and Westlaw continue to provide lawyers with current, accurate and comprehensive online legal data. Both services also offer superior and inclusive case, statutory, administrative and regulatory law information. They feature easy-to-learn search syntax and various pricing options that can be formulated for individual needs. Lexis-Nexis features an excellent Windows interface, a Boolean search syntax and a Freestyle natural language search engine that allows subscribers to employ standard terms or phrases to enter queries. Westlaw offers comparable content to Lexis-Nexis but also integrates Dow Jones information and Knight Ridder's Dialog into its service.
Publication Name: Law Office Computing
Subject: Law
ISSN: 1055-128X
Year: 1997
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Vance Opperman of West Publishing: under siege or holding court?
Article Abstract:
Leading legal information provider West Publishing is opposed to an official system of case citations, and feels unthreatened by the growing Information Superhighway. Pres Vance Opperman says West is constantly besieged by a publishing industry accusing the firm of maintaining a trust on legal information. However, a system wherein the Federal government controls access to such critical data is ill-advised because of the freedom issues raised. A 1994 press release from the US Dept of Justice suggests that the agency is considering various means to improve public access to this judicial cases, but Opperman scoffs at this notion, since the Government obviously has vested interests in controlling the data. In fact, various government agencies including the CIA, FBI and NSI have requested access to West's subscriber list, or barring that, to be told which information is requested by certain subscribers.
Publication Name: Law Office Computing
Subject: Law
ISSN: 1055-128X
Year: 1995
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Q&A with Ira Siegel, new president and CEO of Lexis/Nexis
Article Abstract:
Ira Siegel has been the president and CEO of the Lexis/Nexis online legal information service since Mar 1995 following Reed-Elsevier's $1.5 billion acquisition of the company. Siegel says that Reed plans to fold the Lexis/Nexis Government Information Div into Reed Reference Publishing's Congressional Information Service, which will become a Lexis/Nexis company. Siegel is satisfied with the Lexis/Nexis talent acquired in the deal and plans to increase the company's presence in business, legal and international markets. Siegel does not foresee that Reed will sell off any parts of Lexis/Nexis to offset acquisition debts and anticipates many collaborative efforts between the two firms.
Publication Name: Law Office Computing
Subject: Law
ISSN: 1055-128X
Year: 1995
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