Westlaw AI: Complete Guide to Thomson Reuters AI Legal Tools

Westlaw AI represents Thomson Reuters’ suite of artificial intelligence-powered legal tools, primarily delivered through CoCounsel and integrated into Westlaw Precision. These tools combine the trusted authority of Westlaw’s legal database with cutting-edge AI technology to revolutionize legal research, document analysis, and case preparation.

What is Westlaw AI?

Westlaw AI encompasses Thomson Reuters’ AI-powered legal technology solutions, with CoCounsel being the flagship AI assistant. CoCounsel integrates seamlessly with Westlaw Precision, providing legal professionals with AI-enhanced research, document review, contract analysis, and drafting capabilities.

Key Components

• CoCounsel - AI legal assistant (formerly Casetext, acquired by Thomson Reuters)
• Westlaw Precision - Premium legal research platform with AI integration
• Timeline Tool - Automated chronology creation from document sets
• Microsoft 365 Integration - CoCounsel 2.0 integration with Office products

CoCounsel: The AI Assistant at the Heart of Westlaw AI

CoCounsel is the primary AI component of Westlaw AI. Originally developed by Casetext and acquired by Thomson Reuters in August 2023, CoCounsel leverages advanced AI (including GPT-4 and proprietary Thomson Reuters AI) to assist with core legal tasks.

CoCounsel Features

1. Legal Research

• Ask complex legal questions in natural language
• Receive summarized answers with citations
• Access to Westlaw’s comprehensive legal database
• Integration with Practical Law content

2. Document Review

• Review large document sets quickly
• Extract specific information from documents
• Identify relevant documents for discovery
• Analyze contracts against checklists

3. Contract Analysis

• Analyze contracts for specific clauses
• Compare contracts against standard terms
• Identify potential risks and issues
• Generate contract summaries

4. Deposition Preparation

• Analyze deposition transcripts
• Extract key testimony points
• Prepare deposition outlines
• Identify important facts and arguments

5. Document Drafting

• Draft legal memos and correspondence
• Generate initial document versions
• Create legal briefs and motions
• Compose emails and communications

6. Timeline Tool

• Automatically create chronologies from large document sets
• Extract events and arrange them chronologically
• Filter and focus on specific details
• Save time on case preparation

CoCounsel 2.0 Updates (2025)

In early 2025, CoCounsel transitioned to version 2.0 with significant enhancements:

• Improved Integration: Deeper integration with Microsoft 365 and document management systems
• Enhanced Chat Assistant: Accessible within other Thomson Reuters products
• Better Performance: Expanded functionalities and improved handling of complex legal tasks
• Timeline Feature: Automated chronology creation from document sets

Read the full review: CoCounsel Detailed Review

Westlaw Precision: The Research Platform

Westlaw Precision is the premium tier of Westlaw that hosts CoCounsel. It includes:

• Precision Research: Advanced search filters for targeted results
• Key Number System: Comprehensive legal taxonomy
• KeyCite: Citation verification service
• Litigation Analytics: Data-driven insights on judges and courts
• Practical Law Integration: Access to practice guides and templates

Learn more: Westlaw Precision Review

Westlaw AI Pricing

CoCounsel Pricing Tiers

CoCounsel All Access

• Price: $500 per user per month
• Includes:
  • Federal and state case access
  • Reference attorneys
  • CARA AI Search
  • Compose tool
  • Full CoCounsel features

CoCounsel Basic Research

• Price: $220 per month
• Includes: Essential research tools for fundamental legal research needs

CoCounsel On Demand

• Price: $50-$75 per task
• Best for: Occasional users who don’t need monthly subscriptions

Enterprise Pricing

• Custom pricing based on firm size and requirements
• Contact Thomson Reuters sales for details

Westlaw Precision Pricing

Westlaw Precision pricing is customized and requires contacting Thomson Reuters sales. It’s typically higher than basic Westlaw tiers and includes access to CoCounsel as an add-on.

Who Should Use Westlaw AI?

Ideal For

• Law firms already using Westlaw Precision
• Corporate legal departments with Westlaw subscriptions
• Government legal teams requiring comprehensive legal research
• Legal professionals handling high-volume research and document review
• Attorneys who want AI assistance grounded in trusted legal content

May Not Be Ideal For

• Solo practitioners on tight budgets (consider alternatives)
• Firms not using Westlaw (integration requires Westlaw subscription)
• Users needing standalone AI (CoCounsel requires Westlaw access)
• Organizations seeking free or low-cost solutions

Westlaw AI vs. Competitors

Westlaw AI vs. Lexis+ AI

See comparison: CoCounsel vs. Lexis+ AI

Westlaw AI vs. Harvey AI

See comparison: CoCounsel vs. Harvey AI

Westlaw AI vs. ChatGPT

Key Benefits of Westlaw AI

1. Trusted Legal Content

CoCounsel is grounded in Westlaw’s authoritative legal database, reducing the risk of AI “hallucinations” and providing reliable, citable information.

2. Time Savings

Users report significant time savings:

• Legal research: 50-80% faster
• Document review: 60-85% faster
• Contract analysis: 70-90% faster

3. Integration with Existing Workflows

CoCounsel integrates with:

• Microsoft 365 (Word, Outlook, Teams)
• Document management systems
• Westlaw Precision research platform
• Practical Law content

4. Comprehensive Coverage

Access to:

• Federal and state case law
• Statutes and regulations
• Secondary sources
• Practical Law guides
• Litigation analytics

5. Reliability

• Citations linked to source material
• Grounded in trusted legal content
• Reduced risk of errors
• Professional-grade accuracy

Limitations and Considerations

Limitations

1. Requires Westlaw Subscription: CoCounsel is an add-on to Westlaw Precision
2. Cost: Can be expensive for smaller firms
3. Learning Curve: Requires training to maximize effectiveness
4. Still Requires Review: AI outputs need human verification
5. Platform Dependency: Tied to Thomson Reuters ecosystem

Important Considerations

• Human Oversight: Always review AI-generated content
• Training Required: Invest time in learning the platform
• Integration Needs: Ensure compatibility with existing systems
• Budget Planning: Factor in both Westlaw and CoCounsel costs

Getting Started with Westlaw AI

Step 1: Evaluate Your Needs

• Do you already use Westlaw?
• What tasks need AI assistance?
• What’s your budget?
• How many users need access?

Step 2: Contact Thomson Reuters

• Request a demo of CoCounsel
• Discuss pricing options
• Evaluate integration needs
• Review training options

Step 3: Start with a Pilot

• Choose one practice area
• Train key team members
• Measure time savings
• Evaluate ROI

Step 4: Scale Implementation

• Expand to additional practice areas
• Train more users
• Optimize workflows
• Integrate with other tools

Use Cases for Westlaw AI

Legal Research

• Complex legal questions in natural language
• Case law research with citations
• Statutory research and analysis
• Regulatory compliance research

Document Review

• Discovery document review
• Contract analysis and comparison
• Due diligence document processing
• Deposition transcript analysis

Case Preparation

• Deposition preparation and outlines
• Motion drafting and research
• Brief preparation with citations
• Timeline creation from documents

Contract Management

• Contract review and analysis
• Risk identification
• Clause comparison
• Contract summarization

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Westlaw and Westlaw AI?

Westlaw is the legal research platform, while Westlaw AI refers to the AI-powered features, primarily CoCounsel, that enhance Westlaw Precision.

Do I need Westlaw to use CoCounsel?

Yes, CoCounsel requires a Westlaw Precision subscription. It’s an add-on service, not a standalone product.

How much does Westlaw AI cost?

CoCounsel pricing starts at $220/month for Basic Research or $500/month for All Access. Westlaw Precision pricing is separate and requires contacting sales.

Is Westlaw AI better than ChatGPT for legal work?

Yes, for legal-specific tasks. CoCounsel is trained on legal data, provides citations, and is grounded in Westlaw’s trusted content, making it more accurate and reliable for legal work than general-purpose AI like ChatGPT.

Can Westlaw AI replace lawyers?

No. Westlaw AI (CoCounsel) is designed to augment lawyers’ work, not replace them. It assists with research, document review, and drafting, but professional judgment and legal representation still require human attorneys.

What is CoCounsel 2.0?

CoCounsel 2.0 is the updated version launched in early 2025, featuring improved Microsoft 365 integration, enhanced chat capabilities, and the new Timeline tool for automated chronology creation.

Related Resources

• CoCounsel Detailed Review - Complete tool analysis
• Westlaw Precision Review - Research platform details
• Legal Research Tools - Compare research platforms
• AI Lawyer Tools Guide - Comprehensive AI tools overview
• Legal AI Software Comparison - Software comparison guide

Conclusion

Westlaw AI, through CoCounsel and Westlaw Precision, offers legal professionals a powerful combination of trusted legal content and cutting-edge AI technology. While it requires a Westlaw subscription and comes at a premium price, it provides significant time savings and improved accuracy for legal research, document review, and case preparation.

For law firms already invested in the Westlaw ecosystem, CoCounsel represents a natural evolution that enhances existing workflows without requiring a complete platform change.

Ready to explore Westlaw AI? Contact Thomson Reuters for a demo or learn more about CoCounsel and Westlaw Precision.

Disclaimer: Pricing and features are subject to change. Always verify current information directly with Thomson Reuters. Westlaw AI tools should augment, not replace, professional legal judgment.