KeyCite
KeyCite is a legal research tool provided by Westlaw (Thomson Reuters) that helps legal professionals check if a legal document, like a court case or statute, is still valid law. Think of it as a fact-checking system for legal documents - it shows whether a case has been overturned, questioned, or cited by other courts. This is crucial because lawyers need to make sure they're using up-to-date legal information. It's similar to other legal citation tools like Shepard's Citations (by LexisNexis), but KeyCite is specifically associated with Westlaw's system.
Examples in Resumes
Conducted thorough legal research using KeyCite to verify current status of case law
Trained junior associates on effective use of KeyCite and Westlaw research tools
Utilized KeyCite to ensure accuracy of legal citations in court filings
Typical job title: "Legal Researchers"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Legal Researchers
Legal Research Communities
Job Boards
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you develop a research strategy for a complex legal issue using KeyCite?
Expected Answer: Should explain how to efficiently trace the history of multiple related cases, identify key precedents, and validate current legal status across different jurisdictions.
Q: How do you train others to use KeyCite effectively?
Expected Answer: Should discuss creating training materials, demonstrating practical research scenarios, and methods to verify research accuracy.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What are the key indicators in KeyCite and what do they mean?
Expected Answer: Should be able to explain the meaning of red and yellow flags, depth of treatment stars, and how to interpret citation frequency.
Q: How do you use KeyCite to validate statutory research?
Expected Answer: Should explain checking if a statute is current, finding related cases, and tracking legislative changes.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What is the basic purpose of KeyCite?
Expected Answer: Should explain that KeyCite helps verify if legal documents are still good law and shows how other courts have interpreted them.
Q: How do you start a basic KeyCite search?
Expected Answer: Should describe how to input a citation and interpret basic negative treatment signals.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic KeyCite searches
- Understanding citation formats
- Identifying negative case treatment
- Basic legal research methodology
Mid (2-5 years)
- Advanced KeyCite analysis
- Efficient research strategies
- Understanding of legal precedent
- Citation validation
Senior (5+ years)
- Complex legal research supervision
- Training and mentoring
- Research quality control
- Advanced legislative history research
Red Flags to Watch For
- Unable to explain basic KeyCite symbols and their meanings
- Lack of understanding of legal citations
- No experience with Westlaw or other legal research platforms
- Poor attention to detail in citation checking
Related Terms
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