Finding and printing Westlaw documents is a fundamental skill for legal professionals who rely on this platform for case law, statutes, and regulatory research. The ability to quickly locate a specific case or statute and produce a clean, organized physical copy is essential for efficient workflow in law offices and courtrooms. This guide provides a detailed walkthrough of the process, ensuring you can navigate the interface with confidence and generate the exact materials you need.
Accessing the Westlaw Platform
The first step in the process is gaining entry to the Westlaw environment. You must navigate to the official portal and authenticate using your institutional or firm credentials. This typically involves entering a username and password, and potentially a secondary authentication factor, to ensure secure access to the subscribed content. Once logged in, you are presented with the main dashboard, which serves as the command center for your research activities.
Utilizing the Search Functionality
With access established, the core task of locating information begins. Westlaw provides multiple search avenues, including Quick Search for general terms, Advanced Search for complex Boolean queries, and Key Number Search for pinpointing specific points of law. The search bar is your primary tool; entering a case name, citation, or statutory keyword initiates the retrieval process. The system then generates a results list, which you must scan to identify the exact document you intend to print.
Evaluating and Selecting the Document
After executing a search, reviewing the results is a critical step to ensure accuracy. Clicking on a specific result opens a preview pane or a new tab displaying the full text of the case or statute. Here, you verify that the document is the correct version, from the appropriate jurisdiction, and reflects the most current status, including any recent amendments or overrulings. Taking a moment to confirm these details prevents the waste of paper and ink on incorrect materials.
Initiating the Print Process
With the correct document confirmed, you proceed to the printing stage. Locate the print icon, which is usually represented by a standard printer symbol, typically found in the toolbar at the top or bottom of the document view. Clicking this icon triggers the print dialog box, which allows you to configure the output settings. This step is where you define the scope and format of the physical copy.
Configuring Print Settings
The print dialog presents several options that determine the final output. You can select the specific pages to print, such as the entire document or a custom range. The "Print What" option is particularly valuable, as it allows you to choose between the complete document, the current view, or a selected portion of text. Furthermore, you can often choose a "Clean Print" or "Reader View" option, which strips away the Westlaw interface and formatting, resulting in a document that is easier to read and more professional in appearance.
