I am wondering what you do about your research. Do you subscribe to WestLaw or Lexis Nexis? Do you purchase it only when you need it, or do you have some sort of package deal? Alternatively, do you ask that the client provide you with their Westlaw/LN account for research that cannot be done from home, etc?
The client provides me with an account for the lexis and westlaw. It is too costly to maintain these research programs yourself. I advise the clients in the initial interview that they must provide me with the tools to research.
Thanks, Jenny. You bring up a good question. I would think it would be too costly to subscribe independently. Yet, as an independent contractor, I could see the attorneys thinking you should have the resources necessary independent of them.
The attorneys I contract with all provide me with the resources to research. Not one of the three expected me to provide that expense nor the expense of their case management programs they use.
I should have stated more the reason why the attorneys don't expect you to pay for the research programs. They are very very costly. For example, Lexis charges for differently jurisdictions and if you work for an attorney in IL, WA, and MI like I do, that could literally run me a 1,000.00 per month for all three jurisdictions. Most attorneys who research utilize these services already and can very easily set you up with an access account.
I use accounts/passwords provided by the client. Given the different jurisdictions and the cost of the programs, my rates would be astronomical if I maintained these programs on my own.
__________________ Karalyn J. Eckerle
"The RVing VA"
Paralegals/Legal Assistants: Help needed
Lily Chambers, The Virtual Office Goddess, LLC
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