Decisis, the legal research service launched by RELX in 2021, has seen a notable increase in its influence within the realm of bar association partnerships. Over the past year, the service has expanded from 10 to 20 partnerships, including 14 with state bar associations. Some of these affiliations remain unpublicized, with Fastcase still being listed on the respective bar websites.
Originating as a subsidiary of RELX under the corporate name Legal InQuery Solutions Inc., Decisis does not overtly brand itself as part of the LexisNexis or RELX family. This position contrasts with Fastcase’s previous dominance in the bar association market, bolstered by its merger with Casemaker in 2021 and later with vLex in 2023, resulting in a significant foothold with over one million legal practitioners.
The strategic expansion of Decisis can be partly attributed to its simplified service model, emphasized by Jake Nelson, the General Manager of Emerging Products at LexisNexis. Without adopting generative AI features, Decisis maintains affordability for bar associations, focusing on core legal content sourced through LexisNexis.
Nelson stated, “We’ve kept it simple so we can maintain a place in this market long term, and so we can continue to serve those bar associations over an extended period of time.” This approach resonates with bar partners like the Ohio State Bar Association and the Nebraska State Bar Association, who prefer a streamlined solution.
The rapid evolution of legal research technologies, particularly with AI advancements, underscores the contrast between Decisis and Fastcase. Fastcase, now merged with vLex, continues to integrate AI into its offerings, praising its advantages in the Vals Legal AI Report and other evaluations. Ed Walters, Fastcase’s former CEO, highlights their commitment to delivering top-tier AI components within bar membership benefits.
Walters remarked, “I think Decisis offers them a less-for-less proposition – they can pay less and get less. No judgment – that might be the right business model for some bar associations – but the vLex model is more for less.” Despite rising competition, Walters welcomes RELX and LexisNexis’s commitment to broadening legal access, emphasizing shared goals of democratizing the law.
For more detailed insights, you can read the complete article here.