Fastcase Review

Category: Legal Research Founded: 1999 Headquarters: Washington, DC

Fastcase is a comprehensive legal research platform offering 50-state coverage at an affordable price. With innovative features like the Bad Law Bot and visual search results, Fastcase makes legal research accessible to attorneys of all practice sizes.

Overview

Fastcase democratizes legal research by providing a powerful, affordable alternative to traditional legal research platforms. The platform includes comprehensive case law, statutes, regulations, court rules, and constitutions from all 50 states and federal jurisdictions, combined with innovative AI-powered features that enhance research efficiency.

Key Features

  • Bad Law Bot: AI-powered citation analysis to identify overruled cases
  • 50-State Coverage: Complete case law and statutes for all jurisdictions
  • Interactive Timeline: Visual representation of search results over time
  • Authority Check: See how often cases have been cited
  • Dual-Column View: Compare documents side by side
  • Mobile Apps: Full research capabilities on iOS and Android
  • Forecite: Citation prediction and verification tool
  • Print Optimization: Formatted printing with automatic pagination

Use Cases

  • Solo practitioners needing affordable research tools
  • Small to mid-size firms seeking cost-effective alternatives
  • Attorneys requiring mobile research capabilities
  • Legal professionals needing quick citation verification
  • Bar association members (often included free)

Pros

  • Excellent value for comprehensive coverage
  • Innovative Bad Law Bot feature
  • User-friendly interface with visual tools
  • Strong mobile applications
  • Often free through bar associations
  • Regular content updates

Cons

  • Limited secondary sources compared to Westlaw/Lexis
  • Less comprehensive administrative materials
  • Fewer practice-specific resources
  • Search algorithms less refined than premium competitors

Coverage & Content

Fastcase provides comprehensive legal research materials:

  • Federal and state case law (all 50 states)
  • Federal and state statutes and codes
  • Federal and state regulations
  • Court rules for all jurisdictions
  • Constitutional materials
  • Attorney General opinions
  • Limited secondary sources

Technology & Innovation

Fastcase leverages cutting-edge technology:

  • AI-powered Bad Law Bot for citation analysis
  • Machine learning for search relevance
  • Interactive data visualization tools
  • Cloud-based platform with 99.9% uptime
  • API access for integration
  • Regular algorithm improvements

User Reviews

5★
37
4★
20
3★
7
2★
2
1★
1

Thomas Walker

Solo Practitioner • General Practice
★★★★★

"Fastcase provides excellent value for solo practitioners. The Bad Law Bot feature has saved me from citing overruled cases multiple times. While it doesn't have all the bells and whistles of Westlaw, it has everything I need at a fraction of the cost."

Michelle Rodriguez

Associate • Small Law Firm
★★★★☆

"Great research tool that's included free with our state bar membership. The mobile app is particularly useful for court appearances. Would love to see more secondary sources, but overall very satisfied with the platform."

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Fastcase?

Fastcase is a comprehensive legal research platform that provides access to case law, statutes, regulations, and court rules from all 50 states and federal jurisdictions at an affordable price.

How much does Fastcase cost?

Fastcase pricing starts at $99 per month for individual subscriptions. Many state bar associations provide free access to members. Small firm and enterprise pricing is also available.

What is the Bad Law Bot?

The Bad Law Bot is Fastcase's AI-powered feature that automatically identifies when cases have been overruled, questioned, or distinguished by subsequent decisions, helping ensure citation accuracy.

Is Fastcase available through bar associations?

Yes, many state bar associations provide Fastcase access as a free member benefit. Check with your bar association to see if you already have access.