CARA by Casetext - Detailed Review
Legal Tools
CARA by Casetext - Product Overview
CARA A.I. Overview
CARA A.I., developed by Casetext, is an advanced artificial intelligence tool designed to streamline and enhance legal research. Here’s a detailed overview of its primary function, target audience, and key features:
Primary Function
CARA A.I. is used to find the most relevant legal cases and authorities based on the specific factual and legal issues presented in a document. By uploading a legal brief, complaint, memo, or any other relevant document, CARA A.I. analyzes the content and provides a list of highly relevant cases that might have been missed through traditional keyword searches.
Target Audience
The primary target audience for CARA A.I. includes legal professionals such as attorneys, law firms, and legal researchers. It is particularly useful for those who need to conduct thorough and efficient legal research, with over 40% of the AmLaw 100 firms already utilizing this technology.
Key Features
- Document-Based Search: Users can upload a document, and CARA A.I. will analyze it to identify the key legal and factual issues. This allows for more precise and relevant search results compared to traditional keyword searches.
- Speed and Efficiency: CARA A.I. significantly reduces the time spent on legal research. According to a study, attorneys using CARA A.I. can find on-point cases over 20% faster than those using legacy tools, saving an average of 210 hours per year.
- Confidentiality and Security: The documents uploaded to CARA A.I. are not stored on Casetext’s servers and are immediately deleted after analysis, ensuring confidentiality and compliance with ethical standards.
- Customizable Search: Users can enter specific issues or facts to focus their search, and the results are ranked based on relevance to the uploaded document. Additional filtering options are available to narrow down the search results further.
- Specialized Applications: Besides general litigation, CARA A.I. has a specialized version called CARA Patent, which is tailored for IP litigation practices to discover relevant case law using actual patents.
Overall, CARA A.I. is a powerful tool that leverages artificial intelligence to make legal research more efficient, accurate, and time-effective.
CARA by Casetext - User Interface and Experience
User Interface Overview
The user interface of CARA by Casetext is designed to be intuitive and user-friendly, making it accessible for both law students and experienced litigators.Ease of Use
Using CARA involves a straightforward process. You start by uploading your legal document, such as a brief, complaint, or motion, to the Casetext platform. Acceptable document formats include PDFs, Word documents, and text files. Once the document is uploaded, you can enter keywords to refine your search for relevant cases. The interface is simple to use, even for those who are not tech-savvy. For instance, a law student found the CARA search to be intuitive and easy to use, comparing favorably to other legal research tools like Westlaw and Lexis.Uploading Documents
You can upload documents directly from the Casetext home page by clicking on the “CARA Search” option. This feature allows you to upload a full document or even just a page of notes with case citations, which is particularly useful for addressing privacy concerns.Search Results
CARA uses artificial intelligence to analyze the uploaded document and return case results that match the same facts, legal issues, and jurisdiction. This AI-driven approach helps in finding cases that are highly relevant to your specific legal matter, often more effectively than traditional keyword searches on other platforms.User Experience
The overall user experience with CARA is positive, with many users praising its efficiency and accuracy. For example, a law student was able to find relevant case law in less than 15 minutes, a significant reduction from the hours spent using other methods. Users have also highlighted the time-saving aspect of CARA. According to a study, attorneys using CARA typically find on-point cases over 20% faster than those using legacy legal research tools, saving over 210 hours of legal research time per year.Security and Confidentiality
A key aspect of the user experience is the assurance of confidentiality and security. Casetext does not store the documents you upload, and they are immediately deleted after analysis by CARA AI. This ensures that your confidential work-product remains secure and compliant with ethical rules.Feedback and Support
Users have generally praised the ease of use and the quality of the search results. Reviews indicate high satisfaction with the tool, with many users recommending it to colleagues due to its effectiveness and value for money.Conclusion
In summary, CARA by Casetext offers a user-friendly interface, efficient search capabilities, and a secure environment for legal research, making it a valuable tool for legal professionals. CARA by Casetext - Key Features and Functionality
CARA A.I. Overview
CARA A.I. by Casetext is a sophisticated legal research tool that leverages artificial intelligence to streamline and enhance the legal research process. Here are the main features and how they work:Document Upload and Analysis
CARA A.I. allows you to upload various legal documents such as briefs, complaints, motions, or memos. You can do this by dragging the document into the “Search with CARA A.I.” box or by selecting the file from your computer. Once uploaded, CARA A.I. analyzes the document to identify the relevant legal and factual issues, even if the document lacks citations. This analysis is done in seconds, and the document is immediately deleted after analysis to ensure confidentiality.Contextual Search
Unlike traditional keyword searches, CARA A.I. uses the content of the uploaded document to conduct a contextual search. It identifies the key legal and factual issues in the document and uses this information to find relevant cases and authorities. This approach ensures that the search results are highly relevant to the specific issues in your document.Issue or Fact Focus
After uploading the document, you can enter an issue or fact to focus your search. You can select from suggested issues or type in your own. This helps in narrowing down the search to the most relevant results. It is recommended to start with simple searches and then refine them as needed.Ranked Results
The search results are ranked based on their relevance to the document you uploaded. This means that the most relevant cases will appear at the top of the results list, making it easier to find the most important authorities quickly. You can also see how many times each case has been cited and whether it was cited in the uploaded document.Integration with Traditional Research Workflow
CARA A.I. seamlessly integrates into the traditional legal research workflow. It allows you to execute searches by loading various litigation documents and provides an enhanced user interface and upgraded algorithm for faster results.Speed and Efficiency
CARA A.I. is known for its speed, delivering near-immediate search results and document retrievals. This efficiency can save attorneys a significant amount of time; for example, a study showed that attorneys using CARA A.I. can find on-point cases over 20% faster than with legacy legal research tools, saving over 210 hours of research time per year.Security and Confidentiality
Casetext ensures the confidentiality of the documents uploaded to CARA A.I. by not storing them on their servers. The documents are analyzed and then immediately deleted. This security measure has been validated through over 40 rigorous security audits by AmLaw 100 firms.Additional Features
CARA A.I. also allows you to cite-check a brief and automatically create a binder of cited authorities, complete with a summary of the holding and flags for bad law. You can easily download these authorities as PDFs or print them. Additionally, you can save your research results directly to your matter in Clio if you use the Clio integration.Conclusion
Overall, CARA A.I. simplifies and accelerates the legal research process by leveraging AI to identify and rank relevant cases based on the content of your legal documents. CARA by Casetext - Performance and Accuracy
When Evaluating the Performance and Accuracy of CARA A.I. by Casetext
Performance
CARA A.I. demonstrates significant improvements in the efficiency of legal research. Here are some key performance metrics:- Speed: Attorneys using CARA A.I. completed their research tasks on average 24.5% faster than those using traditional legal research platforms like LexisNexis.
- Search Efficiency: Researchers using CARA A.I. needed to run an average of 1.5 searches to complete a task, compared to 6.55 searches on LexisNexis, which is a 337% reduction in the number of searches required.
- Time Savings: This efficiency translates to significant time savings, with the average attorney potentially saving between 132 to 210 hours per year on legal research.
Accuracy and Relevance
The accuracy and relevance of the results generated by CARA A.I. are also noteworthy:- Relevance: Attorneys found that the results from CARA A.I. were on average 21% more relevant than those from traditional research methods. This higher relevance was consistent across various dimensions, including legal relevance, factual relevance, similar parties, jurisdiction, and procedural posture.
- Critical Precedents: Nearly half of the attorneys (45%) believed they would have missed important or critical precedents if they had only used traditional research methods without CARA A.I.
User Experience
The user experience with CARA A.I. is generally positive:- User Preference: Three-quarters (75%) of the attorneys preferred their research experience on Casetext over LexisNexis, even though it was their first time using CARA A.I.
- Additional Value: Every attorney in the study believed that having access to CARA A.I. in addition to their primary research tool would be helpful.
How CARA A.I. Works
CARA A.I. achieves these improvements by analyzing the content of uploaded legal documents, such as complaints or briefs, to identify relevant legal and factual issues. It then uses this information to rank search results based on their relevance to the specific matter at hand, rather than relying on traditional keyword searches.Limitations and Areas for Improvement
While the data is overwhelmingly positive, there are a few considerations:- Dependence on Document Quality: The accuracy of CARA A.I.’s results depends on the quality and completeness of the document uploaded. The more information provided in the document, the more accurate the recommendations will be.
- Initial Learning Curve: Although the interface is enhanced and user-friendly, there might be a slight learning curve for attorneys transitioning from traditional keyword-based searches to the document-based approach of CARA A.I.
CARA by Casetext - Pricing and Plans
Pricing and Plans
Current Subscriptions
As of the latest updates, Casetext offers several subscription plans, but some older plans are no longer available for new subscriptions.
CoCounsel Core
This plan provides access to Casetext’s AI legal assistant, including features like file summarization, document and contract review, contract analysis, and more.
Pricing: $250/user per month with a 1, 2, or 3-year commitment.
CoCounsel Core with Westlaw Precision
Includes all features from CoCounsel Core plus legal research powered by Westlaw Precision (requires a separate Westlaw Precision subscription).
Pricing: $250/user per month with a 1, 2, or 3-year commitment. For Westlaw Precision pricing, you need to contact a Thomson Reuters sales representative.
CoCounsel with Casetext Legal Content
This plan includes CoCounsel features along with access to Casetext’s legal content.
No specific pricing is mentioned in the latest updates, but it is part of the CoCounsel suite.
Discontinued Plans
Basic Research
New subscriptions to Basic Research are no longer available as of April 1, 2024.
CoCounsel All-Access
New subscriptions to CoCounsel All-Access are also no longer available.
Staff Access
Staff at an organization can use the technology for free when the ratio of attorneys to staff subscriptions is 1:1. Free administrative access is available for staff who do not need to use the full features of CoCounsel.
Enterprise Pricing
For organizations with 11 attorneys interested in CoCounsel or more than 20 attorneys interested in Basic or Legacy Research, there is an Enterprise pricing option available. You need to contact Casetext’s sales team for details.
Historical Pricing Context
In the past, Casetext had considered a tiered pricing structure, including a Pro tier that would have included full access to all features like CARA AI, sentence-level case annotations, and more. However, this specific pricing ($149 per user per month) was not finalized and is no longer relevant.
Free Options
While there are no free subscriptions for the full feature set, Casetext does offer free trials for its plans, such as the CoCounsel Core plan. Additionally, staff can use the technology for free under certain conditions (1:1 attorney to staff ratio).
In summary, the current pricing is centered around the CoCounsel Core and its variations, with a monthly fee of $250 per user and specific commitments. Free access for staff is available under certain conditions, and free trials are offered for new users.
CARA by Casetext - Integration and Compatibility
CARA AI by Casetext
CARA AI integrates with and is compatible with several tools and platforms, enhancing its usability and functionality for legal researchers.
Integration with Practice Management Software
CARA AI integrates seamlessly with Clio’s practice management software. This integration allows users to access Casetext directly from their Clio dashboard. You can upload briefs, complaints, and other documents from Clio to CARA AI for analysis, and then save the results back into Clio. This integration streamlines the legal research process by allowing you to manage your documents and research within a single platform.
Document Compatibility
CARA AI supports the upload of various document types, including PDFs with selectable text and Microsoft Word documents. However, it may not work as effectively with scanned documents or heavily formatted briefs. In such cases, converting the document to a PDF or using OCR (Optical Character Recognition) can help.
Security and Confidentiality
Casetext is committed to the security and confidentiality of uploaded documents. Documents uploaded to CARA AI are encrypted and immediately deleted from Casetext’s servers after processing, ensuring that user data remains confidential.
Usage Across Devices
While the specific compatibility across different devices is not detailed, CARA AI can be accessed through the Casetext web platform, which is generally accessible on various devices with a web browser. This includes desktops, laptops, and potentially tablets and smartphones, although the optimal user experience may vary depending on the device.
Additional Features
CARA AI also offers features that enhance its compatibility with other legal research tools. For example, it can generate a list of relevant cases not mentioned in the uploaded document, and it provides tools like holdings, Black Letter Law, and a legal citator, although with fewer cases compared to Shepard’s or KeyCite.
Conclusion
In summary, CARA AI by Casetext is well-integrated with Clio’s practice management software, supports specific document types, ensures data confidentiality, and is accessible through web-based platforms, making it a versatile tool for legal researchers.
CARA by Casetext - Customer Support and Resources
Customer Support
Live Chat and Email Support
Available Monday through Friday from 7 am to 10 pm Eastern, and Saturday through Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm Eastern. Users can initiate live chats from the Casetext website or by emailing support@casetext.com.
Reference Attorney Training
For subscribers to CoCounsel Core and CoCounsel All-Access, Casetext provides one-on-one guidance from former practitioners who are experienced in applying generative AI technology to specific practice areas. This training helps users craft effective prompts and follow-up refinements to maximize their interactions with the AI. Training can be requested by emailing support@casetext.com.
Additional Resources
Help Center
A 24/7 accessible library of resources that includes tutorial videos, detailed step-by-step instructions for using Casetext technology, and substantive ethical and professional guidance. The Help Center is available at https://help.casetext.com.
CARA A.I. Documentation
Users can find detailed information on how to use CARA A.I., including how to upload documents, focus searches, and interpret results. This documentation highlights the ability of CARA A.I. to analyze documents and find relevant cases based on the uploaded content.
User Guides and Tutorials
Step-by-step guides are provided to help users get started with CARA A.I. and CoCounsel. For example, users can learn how to upload a document, enter an issue or fact to focus the search, and understand the ranked results provided by CARA A.I.
Security and Confidentiality
Casetext ensures that documents uploaded to CARA A.I. are not stored on their servers and are immediately deleted after analysis. This process is secure and compliant with ethical rules, having passed over 40 rigorous security audits from major law firms.
By providing these support options and resources, Casetext aims to ensure that legal professionals can efficiently and accurately use their AI-driven tools to enhance their practice.
CARA by Casetext - Pros and Cons
Advantages of CARA by Casetext
Efficient Legal Research
CARA AI, Casetext’s artificial intelligence technology, significantly streamlines the legal research process. By uploading a legal document such as a brief, complaint, or memo, CARA AI analyzes the content and identifies the most relevant cases, often uncovering authorities that might be missed through traditional keyword searches.Time-Saving
CARA AI saves time by quickly providing relevant case law based on the factual and legal issues present in the uploaded document. This feature helps researchers focus on the most pertinent cases without the need to sift through a large number of irrelevant results.User-Friendly Interface
Users find CARA AI easy to use, with a straightforward process of uploading a document and selecting the issues or facts to focus on. The interface is intuitive, making it accessible even for those who are not tech-savvy.Accuracy and Confidence
CARA AI helps ensure the accuracy of legal research by identifying bad law through its SmartCite flagging system. This feature gives users confidence that their research is thorough and reliable.Comprehensive Search Capabilities
CARA AI supports both natural language and boolean searching, offering flexibility in how users can conduct their research. This versatility makes it a valuable tool for various research needs.Disadvantages of CARA by Casetext
Limited Coverage
Some users have noted that not all cases are available on Casetext, which can be a limitation, especially for specific areas of law such as declaratory judgments or workers’ compensation litigation.Formatting Issues
There are issues with the formatting of case citations, particularly for Texas appellate courts, where the user cannot easily identify which appellate court is being cited. Additionally, some cases may not cross-reference or show pagination for parallel reporters, and there can be inaccuracies in flagging negative treatment of cases.Need for Additional Resources
Users have suggested that Casetext could be improved by including more practice guide materials, legislative histories, and secondary materials, especially when there is a lack of case law available.Occasional Errors
While rare, some users have encountered errors where cases are flagged for negative treatment inaccurately, such as a U.S. Supreme Court case being incorrectly reported as superseded by a lower court opinion. Overall, CARA AI by Casetext offers significant advantages in terms of efficiency, accuracy, and user-friendliness, but it also has some limitations and areas for improvement. CARA by Casetext - Comparison with Competitors
Unique Features of CARA A.I.
- Document Analysis: CARA A.I. stands out for its ability to analyze the content of uploaded legal documents, such as briefs, complaints, or memos, to identify relevant legal issues and fact patterns. This allows it to provide case law results that are highly relevant to the specific context of the uploaded document.
- Keyword-Free Search: Unlike traditional legal research tools that rely on keyword searches, CARA A.I. can find relevant cases without the need for manual keyword entry. This makes the research process more efficient and reduces the risk of missing important cases due to incorrect or incomplete keyword searches.
- Confidentiality: Casetext ensures that uploaded documents are not stored on their servers and are deleted immediately after analysis, which is a significant advantage for maintaining confidentiality and adhering to ethical standards.
- Additional Features: Casetext also includes features like holdings and black letter law, which pull out key sentences from opinions and summarize key points, making it easier to quickly identify relevant cases.
Comparison with Competitors
LexisNexis and Westlaw
- Traditional Keyword Search: LexisNexis and Westlaw rely heavily on keyword and boolean searches, which can be time-consuming and may not capture all relevant cases if the keywords are not accurately chosen.
- Efficiency: Studies have shown that attorneys using CARA A.I. can find on-point cases over 20% faster than those using legacy tools like LexisNexis, resulting in significant time savings.
- Contextual Analysis: Unlike CARA A.I., LexisNexis and Westlaw do not analyze the content of uploaded documents to the same extent, requiring more manual effort to filter and find relevant cases.
Potential Alternatives
While there are no exact alternatives that replicate all of CARA A.I.’s unique features, other legal research tools offer some similar functionalities:Fastcase
- Fastcase is another legal research platform that uses AI to enhance search capabilities. However, it does not offer the same level of document analysis as CARA A.I. and still relies on keyword searches to a significant extent.
ROSS Intelligence
- ROSS Intelligence uses AI to provide legal research assistance, but it is more focused on answering specific legal questions rather than analyzing entire documents for relevant case law.
CARA by Casetext - Frequently Asked Questions
How does CARA A.I. work?
CARA A.I. uses artificial intelligence to analyze a legal document you upload, such as a brief, complaint, or memo, and finds relevant cases and authorities based on the facts and legal issues in that document. This process happens quickly, often in seconds, and the results are ranked by relevance to your document.
What types of documents can I upload to CARA A.I.?
You can upload various types of legal documents, including complaints, briefs, memos, or any other document that contains relevant factual or legal issues. Even a one-page draft of a motion can be used to find relevant precedent.
How do I use CARA A.I. to search for cases?
To use CARA A.I., start by selecting “Search with a document” from the left panel on Casetext’s Home page. Upload your document by dragging it into the “Search with CARA A.I.” box or by clicking to select the file from your computer. After uploading, you will be prompted to enter an issue or fact to focus your search. You can select from suggested issues or type in your own.
Is my uploaded document secure?
Casetext does not store the documents you upload. The documents are analyzed by CARA A.I. in seconds and then immediately deleted. This ensures that your confidential work-product remains secure and does not violate any ethics rules. Casetext has also passed over 40 rigorous security audits from major law firms.
How does CARA A.I. rank its search results?
CARA A.I. ranks the search results based on their relevance to the document you uploaded. The cases at the top of your results will be the most relevant to the facts and legal issues in your document. You can also further narrow your search within the results to limit and refine the cases displayed.
What is the difference between a keyword search and a CARA A.I. search?
A keyword search involves entering terms and connectors into the search bar, which is a traditional method of searching. In contrast, a CARA A.I. search analyzes the document you uploaded and uses relevant language, citations, fact patterns, and other signals to find the most relevant results related to the issues in your document.
How much time can CARA A.I. save for attorneys?
According to a study by The National Legal Research Group, attorneys who use CARA A.I. typically find on-point cases over 20% faster than those using legacy legal research tools. This translates to over 210 hours of legal research time saved every year for the average attorney.
Can I refine my CARA A.I. search results?
Yes, you can refine your search results by entering a more detailed query or by searching within the results to further narrow down the cases. This helps you to focus on the most relevant cases and limit the number of results.
Is CARA A.I. trusted by law firms?
Yes, CARA A.I. is trusted by over 40% of the AmLaw 100 firms. These firms have conducted rigorous security audits and rely on CARA A.I. for their legal research needs.
How does CARA A.I. compare to other legal research tools in terms of cost?
Casetext, which includes CARA A.I., is generally more cost-effective compared to other legal research tools like Westlaw and Lexis Advance. For example, Casetext’s annual subscription can be as low as $780, significantly lower than the annual costs of other major legal research platforms.
CARA by Casetext - Conclusion and Recommendation
Final Assessment of CARA A.I. by Casetext
CARA A.I., developed by Casetext, is a significant advancement in the legal research tools category, particularly for those who rely heavily on efficient and accurate legal research. Here’s a comprehensive overview of its benefits and who would most benefit from using it.Key Features and Benefits
Speed and Efficiency
CARA A.I. can find on-point cases over 20% faster than traditional legal research tools like LexisNexis, saving attorneys over 210 hours of research time annually.
Document Analysis
By uploading legal documents such as briefs, motions, complaints, or memos, CARA A.I. analyzes the text to identify relevant cases and legal issues, even if the documents lack citations.
Confidentiality
Casetext ensures the confidentiality of uploaded documents by not storing them on their servers; documents are analyzed and then immediately deleted.
User-Friendly Interface
The platform offers an enhanced user interface and the ability to execute searches seamlessly within the traditional research workflow. Users can input simple search terms or focus on specific legal issues to narrow down results.
Who Would Benefit Most
Attorneys and Litigators
Those involved in litigation will greatly benefit from CARA A.I.’s ability to quickly identify relevant cases and authorities, saving time and improving the quality of their research.
Law Firms
Especially larger firms, as over 40% of the AmLaw 100 firms already trust and use CARA A.I. for their legal research needs.
Legal Researchers
Anyone conducting legal research, including law students and legal assistants, can leverage CARA A.I. to streamline their research process and find relevant cases more efficiently.
Overall Recommendation
CARA A.I. is a valuable tool for anyone involved in legal research. Its ability to analyze documents quickly and provide relevant case law without the need for keyword searches makes it a standout in the legal tech industry. The emphasis on confidentiality and the user-friendly interface add to its appeal.
For those looking to enhance their legal research capabilities, CARA A.I. is highly recommended. It can significantly reduce research time, improve the accuracy of results, and facilitate better collaboration among legal teams. Given its widespread adoption by major law firms and its rigorous security audits, CARA A.I. is a reliable and efficient solution for legal research needs.