The American Association of Law Libraries (AALL) has announced Thomson Reuters CoCounsel Legal as the recipient of its 2026 New Product Award. This accolade, which acknowledges innovative products that significantly enhance law library services or access to legal information, was awarded to CoCounsel Legal for its unique features that streamline legal research and documentation.
The award is specifically meant for products that have entered the library marketplace within the last two years, though updated products are also eligible. CoCounsel Legal enables users to conduct legal research, analyze documents, and assist with drafting through a single, plain-language query interface. The platform integrates Westlaw’s authority and Practical Law’s guidance, offering a more efficient route to tackle complex research tasks, according to Thomson Reuters.
AALL President Jenny Silbiger commended CoCounsel for its thoughtful innovation that redefines how legal information is accessed and used. “By combining advanced technology with trusted legal content, it offers a practical approach to improving research workflows and supporting more efficient, informed decision-making,” she noted.
Emily Colbert, senior vice president of CoCounsel at Thomson Reuters, added, “The product is built to deliver fiduciary-grade AI, pairing trusted legal content with advanced technology to help professionals work more efficiently without compromising quality.”
The evolution of CoCounsel in the legal AI landscape is noteworthy. Thomson Reuters acquired Casetext, the original developer of CoCounsel, in 2023 for $650 million. Since then, CoCounsel has been rebranded and incorporated into Thomson Reuters’ broader AI strategy. Casetext had a history of accolades, having won the New Product Award twice before for its products Compose by Casetext and Casetext CARA in 2021 and 2017, respectively.
Thomson Reuters itself is a repeat recipient of AALL’s New Product Award, with past wins in 2019, 2011, and 1999 for various products such as Statutes Compare and Regulations Compare on Westlaw Edge, WestlawNext, and KeyCite.
The award will be formally presented during the AALL annual meeting, slated to take place from July 18-21 in Baltimore.