Westlaw Wireless - Feb/Mar '01

Westlaw Wireless

I really love my Palm organizer and love doing online research. Well, actually I don’t really enjoy doing research, but if I have to do research, the only way to do it is online. So imagine how I felt when I found out I could access Westlaw in my Palm organizer through a new West Group service called Westlaw Wireless.

Have I died and gone to wireless researchers’ heaven?

I will answer that after I talk a little about this product. Westlaw Wireless works well with eBooks by West Group. Basically, Westlaw Wireless allows you to do three things: retrieve a case with a “Find” command, check a case citation in KeyCite and find a lawyer in the West Legal Directory. EBooks by West Group currently allows you to download a set of legal reference materials, limited to federal rules in civil procedure, evidence, bankruptcy, criminal procedure and the full Bankruptcy Code. More electronic books are being developed.

Westlaw Wireless can currently be accessed by using a Palm V or Vx with an OmniSky modem or a Palm VII or VIIx with Palm OS 3.5.

Of course, you also will need an account with a wireless service provider. You need a current Westlaw subscription to access Westlaw Wireless. You aren’t charged for using Westlaw Wireless with a Westlaw subscription. If you have a limited data access plan and you access a database not included in your plan, you will be charged regular database rates.

For Westlaw Wireless, you will need to download a software application from the Westlaw site, which will put the Westlaw Wireless icon on your Palm organizer and give you other information about the program. The service is available on various handheld browsers, such as those on Windows CE devices, with no additional software download required, according to Westlaw. EBooks by West Group require you to download a reader, such as Rocket eBook, Palm (AportisDoc Reader) or Microsoft Reader.

So how well does Westlaw Wireless work? The data request screens are simple and easy to use. The response time varies, depending on the information you request and traffic on the network. Be advised: Westlaw Wireless retrieves only the case synopsis and headnotes in response to a Find request.

For a KeyCite request, you can choose between negative history, full history or citing references.

The eBooks are completely downloaded into your Palm organizer, so once you have them, you don’t need to go back online except to download another eBook.

After experimenting with Westlaw Wireless for some time, I began asking myself when I would use this application in its current state.

I suppose it would be useful in a deposition or at trial if you needed to instantly check on the status of a case brought up by your opponent (I wonder, though, if you would need to go outside the courtroom or have your assistant go outside to obtain a strong enough signal to make the connection).

Westlaw Wireless might be useful when you get a flash of inspiration and you want to immediately do some preliminary research before you get back to the office. I’m sure as the hardware and wireless broadband capabilities improve, this ability to do wireless research on the road will be a tremendous advantage.

So, have I died and gone to wireless researchers’ heaven with Westlaw Wireless? Well, I think I am stuck in limbo. The concept is good and the initial features offered are promising. But after a time, I know I will be saying to myself, “I wish this product had more features.”

Still, West Group is on the right track with this product, and it’s well worth a look by anyone with a Westlaw account and a Palm device with wireless capability (or anyone who needs online wireless research capability).

West Group
(800) 328-4880
www.westlaw.com/wireless

Price: You need a current Westlaw subscription. If you access data that isn’t included in your plan, you will be charged regular database rates.

Runs on Palm V or Vx with OmniSky modem, Palm VII or VIIx with Palm OS 3.5, Blackberry using Go Web from Go America, Pocket PC using Pocket IE (you need an account with a wireless service provider).

Reviewed by Arlin P. Neser, attorney at Gibson, Haglund & Paulsen in Irvine, Calif.

Feb/Mar '01 Issue

PROS
Ability to retrieve case and KeyCite information.

CONS
Case information that can be retrieved currently limited to case synopsis and headnotes. EBook offerings currently limited to federal rules.

VERDICT
I recommend this product to anyone currently looking for a way to retrieve case and other legal information through a wireless handheld device.