Nationwide Layoff Watch: LexisNexis
Here’s some news that will surely generate schadenfreude over at Westlaw. From The Hook:
Nearly 300 Lexis Nexis employees will soon be looking for work…. The layoffs, announced at a companywide meeting in Lexis’ Dayton headquarters [on Monday] afternoon, are bad news for Lexis’ Ohio staff, particularly those in data collection, conversion, editing, and business systems.
According to Lexis spokesperson Sue D’Agostino, 215 of approximately 3,000 positions will be cut or outsourced in Dayton over the next 10 months, with another 75 positions being cut from some of the company’s other locations- Albany, Colorado Springs, New Providence, Newark, San Francisco, and Charlottesville.
No word on whether Lexis will stop supplying law students with free highlighters and tote bags.
There were warning signs that layoffs might be in the works, as reported last month by The Hook:
At the [Charlottesville] Lexis operation, employees are “anxious,” say sources too fearful to use their names. They cite several new policies implemented since January as examples of ways the company may be trying to push them out: 120 editors were converted from salaried to hourly status in January, a move some fear could make it easier to fire them.Also implemented in January: a system by which employee comings and goings are tracked. Anyone who arrives late, leaves early, or calls in sick without giving a full 24 hours notice is given a citation called an “occurrence.” According to sources, as few as seven such “occurrences” can result in termination.
Tracking the comings and goings of workers? No big deal. Some law firms do it, too.
In addition, many employees were suddenly forced to sign a release allowing the company to do credit and criminal background checks, something one employee believes might have been the company’s way of seeking to cut more positions without having to provide severance compensation.
And conveniently enough, they won’t run up thousands of dollars in charges to conduct these background checks — they’re Lexis.
A digression, to satisfy our idle curiosity:
Lexis lay-offs come true… in Dayton [The Hook]
Reed Elsevier cost cuts to claim 1,000 jobs [Telegraph]
Lexis reacts [The Hook]
‘Occurrence’ worries- Lexis lay-offs? [The Hook]
(50) Comments
Comments
First!!!
Too bad. Generally speaking, Lexis >> Westlaw, but it's way more expensive. Surprised they have to let people go, it's not like there's less research being done in a down economy.
google is my preferred legal research tool
It's all about preCYdent. Screw Lexis and WL.
First to hope Lexis goes under.
How are you supposed to call in sick with 24 hours notice?
So if I feel sick Monday, I give notice, go to work feeling sick, then take Tuesday off? That is absurd.
Not as bad as Simpson. You can bet that the burly Secret Service agents that guard Simpson headquarters are watching your every coming and going.
Lexis is the CWT and Sooenschein (ie TTT) of research websites.
Lexis is the CWT and Sonnenschein (ie TTT) of research websites.
Today Lexus brought my firm Sprinkles cupcakes. Knowing that they had to lay someone off to afford those sweet, cuppin' cakes makes them extra tasty!
Wow, WL is really pwning Lexis in the poll. I like it 'coz it's blue. I think I once had a dream about the two of them fighting it out in a carefully choreographed dance/fight scene with switchblades, à la West Side Story.
I wasn't aware that either of them gave out tote bags. I feel like I've missed out. I take some modest solace in my free copy of the FRE, dozens of hiliters, and countless handfuls of stale candy.
Does anyone know how much Lexis and WL campus reps make? They're JDs, right, so is it the $$ or the schedule/lack of responsibilities?
Loislaw is my tool of choice!
I really hope they don't take my LexisPoints. I'm saving up for a coffee pot!!!
That's because you are a poor working at a small-law firm, 3:58.
Here's your Lexis v. Westlaw:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2JPJDmP9lo
Cravath has both services and I use them equally as much. I even made out with the West Law rep. It was awesome!
EDGAR is my database of choice!
The new format of the website is not as good, IMHO
There are also far less responses to posts
The new format of the website is not as good, IMHO
There are also far less responses to posts
Latham uses West Law. But I like Lexis. But I like working at Latham.
RIA/Checkpoint -- for tax research.
The Pope likes to use prayer as his legal research tool.
I went GULC and I was the only research tool I needed.
well, you're definitely a tool.
zing!
I called bullshit, 4:12. Pics of said rep?
Lexis rep at my firm (summer associate gig) was a cougar.
Fortunately, I didn't hear of any summers succumbing to her advances.
Google.
if you call in 24 hours in advance of being sick doesn't it prove that you're actually going to the beach?
I'm shocked by the lack of love for EDGAR. I figured this would be full of transactional people who don't have any work to do.
But maybe those folks just read Dealbreaker and not ATL these days.
Both BNA and CCH have products that easily beat Lexis/Westlaw for tax research. Never was able to warm up to RIA Checkpoint, though.
In general, I find the Lexis interface to be 1000x times better than Westlaw. Westlaw is buggy. It's also inconsistent (sometimes there's a find citation box on the side and sometimes not, sometimes the search box at tome is for focus and sometimes it is for a new search...).
But Westlaw has so many more materials available that it is what I use.
RIA/Checkpoint is awesome!
I second the awesomeness of RIA/Checkpoint.
I generally use Westlaw, but use Lexis for to research no-action letters. Lexis often has older no-action letters that Westlaw doesn't pick up fro some reason.
I once had a baby lawyer do some research for me. She claimed she was unable to find anything through on-line research. Knowing of this Westlaw/Lexis disconnect, I asked whether she used Westlaw or Lexis, and she responded "I used Google." It's lucky that I was dumbfounded by her total stupidity; I passed up the chance to choke the living sh*t out of her. That would have been a career limiting maneuver.
Checkpoint! Then sometimes BNA. Lexis as a last resort.
AltLaw (www.altlaw.org) ... Beta
Don't forget Wikipedia.
The Onion has some decent stuff sometimes too.
My favorite though, TMZ.
Your firm librarian says - you should be using both if you have access to both. And CCH, and BNA. And the damn print volumes, too.
would someone please fire my lexis school rep? she might be the most retarded person in the universe, and a bitch to boot. DU Law.
Westlaw has too many popups and finding sources can be a real pain in the ass. but I do like the blue...
Academic reps make 60-75. It's a cake job - "work" from home, visit schools and schmooze
Westlaw reps make about 125K to start.
Westlaw reps don't make anywhere near 125k to start, neither do Lexis reps.
Cut it in half and you're getting close.
I am a Westlaw rep and yes, it is in excess of $125 to start. Not sure about law school reps.
Yeah, you're full of it Westlaw Rep. Unless you're padding your POS more than Cravath associates pad their hours.
Yeah, you're full of it Westlaw Rep. Unless you're padding your POS more than Cravath associates pad their hours.
I would LOVE to know the salary or even salary range for WL / Lexis reps -- if anyone else can weigh in, please do! I have tons of student loans and am not sure I want to be a lawyer (and I'm a sixth year). Trying to find an alternative that is actually plausible. I don't see myself staying above water for under $120K. Please post Lexis and Westlaw reps!!! How else will I know if it's feasible?!? Any other alternative legal career suggestions?!?!?
For expert witness research I use DepositionSource.com
My best tool is Practical Law Company (PLC). Much more than just simple research. http://us.practicallaw.com/home.do
Lexis reps make less than Westlaw reps, in firms and law schools. A lexis rep at a large firm in the highest level rep role, "Client Manager" they call it, makes about 145K. The trainer (Solutions Consultant) at Lexis gets a 45K base plus 15K if they hit their numbers, which many do not. A West sales rep can easially make over 200K if they are good, 90-100K for the Account Manager/firm trainer....and why shouldn't they be good...Westlaw is an easier product to sell, because it is heads and shoulders above Lexis. Pull up a Texas statute on lexis, then on Westlaw and West has 100x the number of case annotations. Also, Lexis has NOTHING that can match key numbers. Summer and new associate pref. in large firms (50 plus attys) is about 80% Westlaw. Look for more firms to consolidate into one flat rate provider and Westlaw will most likely win out. Lexis is too busy concentrating on "risk" products like Choicepoint--they ignore the legal market and have offered nothing new in years. Total Litigator is a JOKE. West on the other hand, has offerings that help litigators win cases.