The true value of Fastcase

By Peter LaSorsa LexisNexis unveiled a new legal research platform created exclusively for solos called remarkably, Lexis Advance for Solos.  You can access it at: http://www.lexisnexis.com/newlexis/advance Advance is offered at the flat-rate subscription price of $175 a month and a second lawyer is an additional $140 a month.  You cannot add a third as this program is only for one and two person law firms.  Also included under this price is access by your paralegal at no cost.  For zero dollars a month ISBA members get free access to Fastcase.  Let’s look at the features you get with Advance and you can determine on your own if you believe the extra $175 a month (you have to sign a 1-year subscription so the commitment is for $2100 a year) has value to you. The main features of Advance include primary law from all 50 states and U.S. territories, including all federal and state case law available on traditional LexisNexis, all LexisNexis headnotes and case summaries, and all available statutes and constitutions. Additionally you get Shepard's citations service, LexisNexis jury verdicts, briefs, pleadings and motions, including premium materials from IDEX.  You also get LexisNexis CourtLink content, including its full collection of dockets, analytical materials and treatises including the very popular Moore's Federal Practice, Nimmer on Copyright, Milgrim on Trade Secrets, Corbin on Contracts, Bender's Federal Practice Forms. With your free Fastcase subscription you get: cases from the U.S. Supreme Court, Federal Circuit Courts, and the supreme and appellate courts for Illinois and all other states.  Statutes, regulations, constitutions, and court rules for Illinois and all other states.  Cases for Illinois-based federal district courts. For me personally, Fastcase provides what I need and I don’t require the extras from Advance.  When I do wish to Shepardise a case, I can do so at the courthouse for free.  For those that believe Fastcase falls short of their needs, you should check out the new Lexis Advance for Solos. Peter LaSorsa can be reached at lasorsalaw.com. He also publishes a blog at www.illinoissexualharassmentattorneyblog.com