By T.J. Diggins, vLex Fastcase Customer Success Representative
In coordination with Fastcase, the Vermont Bar Association has offered a free legal research member benefit since 2021, providing access to cases, statutes, and regulations. Last year, Fastcase was significantly upgraded for Vermont attorneys by the addition of a searchable database of Vermont superior court decisions. In 2023, Fastcase merged with vLex, a global leader in legal intelligence, raising questions about the future of this essential service. But rest assured: vLex Fastcase remains committed to democratizing the law and enhancing legal research tools. This important member benefit will see substantial upgrades beginning in Vermont in November 2024, with enhanced features, while keeping the service completely free for Vermont Bar members.
What to Expect in November
Beginning on Nov. 5, 2024, when you sign into vLex Fastcase you will see, in addition to the landing page to which you are accustomed, a dialogue box that invites you to try the new vLex Fastcase platform. You can explore that by clicking on the box. If you want to carry on with the former platform you will be able to do so – just close the box. After 30 days (Dec. 5, 2024), the interface at sign-in will be the new vLex Fastcase platform.
The old platform will, however, remain available for some time. You will be able to access it by clicking an icon in the task bar. The phase-out date for the old platform remains to be determined. The main factor being the transition of state bars around the country. As of October 2024, 11 bar associations have been transitioned to the new platform.
Training on the New Platform Is and Will Continue to be Available
In addition to the many training resources available from vLex Fastcase through their website, VBA members are invited and encouraged to attend one of the two VBA CLEs scheduled to coincide with the beginning of the changeover. The training will be offered on Nov. 1 from 10-11 AM (you can register for that here) and again on Nov. 8 from 10-11 AM (register here). These sessions will be identical. They will carry one general CLE credit and are free for VBA members.
Going Forward
VBA members will enjoy free access to a comprehensive legal research platform that includes a vast library of primary legal sources: case law, statutes, regulations, and state-specific legal materials. You can expect seamless access to state court opinions, statutes, Attorney General opinions, and more. Whether you’re searching by citation, keyword, or natural language, vLex Fastcase delivers quick and accurate results.
In addition to primary law, the service offers a wealth of secondary materials, including practice guides, legal forms, and treatises on topics ranging from employment law to intellectual property. These resources provide invaluable insights and practical advice, tailored to Vermont’s legal professionals.
A key feature of this enhanced service is the Cert citator, which flags negative treatment and other citations to cases. Cert goes beyond Fastcase’s previous citation service, Bad Law Bot, by offering editorial oversight, improving accuracy and delivering more comprehensive legal research.
Also included are advanced capabilities from Vincent AI, the award-winning research assistant from vLex. Vermont Bar members will benefit from automated headnotes, case summaries, and Vincent’s ability to identify similar legal documents included in their benefit. Premium features, such as 50-state surveys and argument drafting, are available via subscription.
The intuitive interface of vLex Fastcase makes navigating legal research a breeze. With an easy-to-use search bar and smart filters, finding the right documents is quicker than ever. Members can also save frequently used documents for future reference and receive alerts on the latest legal updates affecting their practice areas.
Best of all, this cutting-edge service will remain completely free for Vermont Bar members — a resource that costs over $1,000 annually for non-members. For small and solo practices in Vermont, this provides an incredible opportunity to leverage the same technology used by larger firms, leveling the playing field.
With vLex Fastcase and Vincent AI at your fingertips, attorneys can increase efficiency and competitiveness, keeping costs down while enhancing the quality of service to clients.
Explore the improved vLex Fastcase benefit by visiting the Vermont Bar website. Simply log in with your member credentials and discover the powerful tools available to you starting in November 2024.
Want to find out more right now about what it’s all about? Visit vlex.com/vlex-fastcase.
