FYI for August 2009

Put Information in Context with New CaseMap® 8.5

Your case file just became an indispensable research resource.

• Uncover critical intelligence on key players
• Perform legal and factual research with just a click
• Monitor citation changes automatically using Shepard’s® integration … all without ever leaving CaseMap®.

It’s never been faster or easier to bring together the facts, the law and your keen analysis. New CaseMap 8.5 accelerates your ability to put all the pieces of your case together. You gain quick access to relevant research sources and at-a-glance citation references from within CaseMap software.

Just plug in your basic case details, and CaseMap 8.5 handles the rest, even suggesting pertinent research sources and providing a new jumpstart wizard to reduce tedious data entry. You can now access content from practically any LexisNexis source without ever leaving CaseMap.*

What’s New in CaseMap 8.5?

Easily perform legal and factual research within CaseMap.
Get the facts you need regarding people (experts, judges, attorneys and more), organizations, issues and case law with content integrated from lexis.com® and LexisNexis® Total Litigator.

CaseMap 8.5 software streamlines access to information, suggesting relevant sources to help you gather the facts in order to make important associations throughout the case that might otherwise be missed. 

Monitor changes in your cited cases through integration with Shepard's.
Now displaying the convenient and informative Shepard’s Signal™ indicators, CaseMap helps you easily validate cited cases using Shepard’s, the legal industry’s premier citations service. With one-step citation checking in CaseMap 8.5, you can ensure authorities are still good law—quickly and with confidence.

Plus, set up a Shepard’s Alert® and receive prompt notification when important changes have occurred in your cases, statutes, regulations and other authorities that matter most to you.

Start each new case with ease.
Quickly and easily set up your initial cast of characters with a new Case Jumpstart Wizard. This tool reduces the learning curve for new CaseMap users—and reduces the time needed for even veteran users to enter case players and organizations. The wizard provides a step-by-step guide to start a new case and then automatically fills in the correct spreadsheets with the data you enter.

More at Your Fingertips

From CaseMap 8.5 fact and issue management software, you can conveniently access lexis.com and LexisNexis Total Litigator for the most comprehensive set of expert witness records, case outcomes, public records and court-cited analysis available today.

• Court documents: Make strategic decisions based on information from the largest court records collection in the industry—from dockets to jury verdicts. LexisNexis has more than twice the number of court dockets and documents as Westlaw® and over 1 million verdicts and settlements vs. 520,000 from West.
• Expert testimony: Gain insight to select or discredit expert witnesses by tapping into the largest collection of published and unpublished expert witness information—more than 220,000 profiles vs. 6,500 from West®.
• Public records: Locate individuals and identify assets and liabilities using convenient search tools and a collection of more than 18 billion public records (including unique sources not on Westlaw).
• News & business: Discover the fact-finding power of over 20,000 trusted news and business sources.

Comparison data is based on information available as of May 1, 2009.

Experience CaseMap 8.5!

Check out a complimentary, recorded CaseMap 8.5 Webinar.

Go to www.lexisnexis.com/casemaptrial and download a 30-day trial of CaseMap 8.5 software.† If you have an active CaseMap subscription, you can upgrade to 8.5 at no additional charge.

*If you are not a LexisNexis subscriber or if your subscription does not include a particular source, alternate options for accessing this content will be displayed.
†Some restrictions may apply. Software is a full version available for 30-day trial use from the date of download.

^ back to TOC

CaseMap® ReportBook FAQs

We received such a positive response from last month’s article, “Secrets to Success With CaseMap® ReportBooks,” that we wanted to provide more detail to help you make the most of ReportBook capabilities. Here are answers to frequently asked questions.

What is a ReportBook?

A ReportBook is a compilation of any number of CaseMap reports packaged with optional elements such as a cover page, a table of contents and report-specific title pages. You can generate a ReportBook with only a few mouse clicks. You can print ReportBooks—or easily create ReportBook PDFs using the built-in CaseMap PDF functionality.

Each CaseMap case file can contain an unlimited number of ReportBook definitions. Each time you print a ReportBook or generate a ReportBook PDF, CaseMap creates it based on your selected ReportBook definition and the most current case data.

What kinds of reports can I include in a ReportBook?

Here are a few examples of reports you can include in a ReportBook: an Issue Outline, a Cast of Characters, a Chronology of Key Facts and a Document Index. As noted above, the number of reports is unlimited.

A ReportBook can contain multiple reports based on one CaseMap spreadsheet. For example, a ReportBook can include five reports based on different views of case facts and another five reports based on different views of case objects.

What report layouts are available?

Layouts are similar to what you see when you print CaseMap spreadsheet views. A report that’s part of a ReportBook is composed of one or more columns of case data arranged in a desired sequence. The rows that appear in the report are listed based on your desired sort criteria.

You can set a filter that permanently limits the rows that display in the report based on criteria you specify. As an example, you can create a ReportBook report format for case facts that contains the fields for date and time, fact text and sources. It can be sorted by date and time and be filtered to display only key facts.

What layouts are available?

Each CaseMap case file automatically includes eight pre-built ReportBook definitions, so many people find there's little need to create their own ReportBook definitions.

If you do want to define your own ReportBook layout, you can create one from scratch or by copying an existing ReportBook and modifying it. You can use these options by selecting Reports > ReportBooks > Manage ReportBooks from the menu bar.

When you create a ReportBook definition that you would like to add to other case files, you can easily go to Reports > ReportBooks > ReportBook Tools > Export and Import and select the definition option that meets your needs.

What pre-built ReportBook definitions does CaseMap set up automatically?

When you click the ReportBook menu in any CaseMap file, you'll find eight pre-built ReportBook definitions. You can customize them as you wish and copy them to use as the starting point for additional ReportBook definitions. All eight pre-built ReportBook definitions include a cover page, a confidentiality statement, a table of contents, an introduction and report-specific title pages.

You can choose from these pre-built definitions:

Case Summary contains a report for each primary CaseMap spreadsheet. The default is for the reports to appear in the following order: Issues, Cast of Characters—Persons, Cast of Characters—Organizations, Fact Chronology, Document Index, Open Questions, Research—Authorities, and Research—Authority Extracts.

Facts & Docs Grouped by Person contains your Facts spreadsheet grouped based on persons involved in the Facts.

Facts Grouped by Docs & Proceedings groups your Facts spreadsheet based on Documents and Proceedings involved.

Facts, Docs & Law Grouped by Issue includes Facts, as well as Documents based on the Issues you have linked to them.

Issues, Cast of Characters, Facts, Key Documents contains the four reports identified in its name.

Key Players, Facts & Documents has three reports: Key Persons and Organizations, Key Facts and Key Documents.

Mark Me Up can help get your case analysis off to a fast start. After meeting with a new client, use your notes to create an initial Cast of Characters, Document Index and Fact Chronology in a new CaseMap file. Print Mark Me Up and you'll create a ReportBook containing these three reports, along with a special introduction laying out steps your client can take to enhance your understanding of the new matter.

What's New in Last 14 Days—This ReportBook includes all new records entered in a case file in the two weeks prior to the date the ReportBook is run. This ReportBook includes only new records, not updated ones.

Do changes made to CaseMap spreadsheet views affect reports in my ReportBooks?

No. ReportBook reports are saved layouts that work independently from your spreadsheet views. This keeps changes to your spreadsheet from adversely affecting your report formats. For example, when you hide a field in your spreadsheet view, this doesn't change the fields displaying in your ReportBook reports. Similarly, if you filter your Fact spreadsheet down to just the critical facts, this filter has no bearing on the facts appearing in any ReportBook reports run earlier.

How can I add reports to my ReportBooks?

You can add reports to your ReportBooks in one of two ways.

What's an easy way to create a ReportBook report?

Arrange your spreadsheet view as you want your report to appear, e.g., add, remove and reposition spreadsheet fields. Run an Instant Search to filter the report, if desired.

Once your spreadsheet view is set up the way you want your report to be, go to Reports > ReportBooks > ReportBook Tools > Create Report from Current View. This feature adds a new report based on your spreadsheet set-up to a ReportBook of your choosing.

It's important to note that when you use the Create Report from Current View feature, you are taking a one-time snapshot of the spreadsheet view and using that to create the ReportBook report. Any change you make to the spreadsheet after using the Create Report from Current View option has no effect on the ReportBook report you created using this feature.

Are the ReportBooks in a case file shared?

Yes. The Manage ReportBooks dialog box lists the ReportBook definitions created by all users of the case file. The author of each ReportBook is identified next to the ReportBook name.

What's the best way to learn the ReportBook feature?

We'd recommend you open the Hawkins example case and complete the following three steps using options on the ReportBook menu.

What does CaseMap do if there's no data for a ReportBook report?

CaseMap skips ReportBook reports that contain no data. If one or more reports are skipped when a ReportBook is generated, CaseMap displays an informational message alerting you to this fact. If you're using a Table of Contents in the ReportBook, it's automatically adjusted so that it references only those reports that remain.

Why would there be no data for a report? This can occur when a case is getting started and also when you have filters tied to a report and no data survives the filtering process. For example, each CaseMap file includes a pre-built ReportBook called What’s New in Last 14 Days. This ReportBook prints a report of the items that have been added to every CaseMap spreadsheet in the last 14 days. If nothing has been added to some of the spreadsheets during that period, those reports are skipped.

Should a ReportBook be given to clients or other team members only when the information in it is perfect? Not necessarily! Make sure recipients realize that ReportBooks are living documents that provide a way for the team to collaborate on the case analysis process. The data in ReportBook reports will change substantially over time. Think of ReportBooks as functioning like picks and shovels, not porcelain for the display cabinet. We've set up a default introduction for each ReportBook that communicates this concept.

^ back to TOC

Always Have Your Evidence at Hand … View a TextMap® Exhibit Linker Webinar

With the TextMap® Exhibit Linker, court reporters and litigation support staff can easily create an electronic exhibit package that generates hyperlinks connecting any exhibit referenced in the transcript to the actual, scanned exhibit.

The exhibit package can be e-mailed to the attorney for import into TextMap for prompt review—saving valuable time and ensuring that evidence is always at hand.

It only takes a few minutes to learn how to use the TextMap Exhibit Linker. See for yourself by viewing our Exhibit Linker Webinar.

With TextMap Exhibit Linker, litigation support staff can:

• Quickly populate a TextMap case on behalf of the attorney
• Create links to exhibit in bulk via aliases or manually to individual references
• Enable attorneys to review exhibits in the context of the transcript they are reading
• Reconcile inconsistencies in the naming conventions of exhibits

Download a 30-day trial version of TextMap Exhibit Linker.‡

‡Some restrictions may apply. Software is a full version available for 30-day trial use from the date of download.

^ back to TOC

Below is our CaseMap training schedule. To register for a class, please fill out a registration form and return it at least one week before the start date.

In response to client demand and the current economic climate, we are now offering more online training opportunities. Another great way to minimize training costs is for us to come to you with our popular and affordable on-site training and “Jumpstart” consulting sessions (contact us for more information).

Course Descriptions

CaseMap for Attorneys: This course is designed with attorneys in mind—it’s quick, targeted and online. You’ll learn to quickly build a case, analyze and link your data, and run pertinent reports.

FastTrack: This course is designed to help new CaseMap customers learn the essentials of the program. Topics include CaseMap strategies, sorting and searching techniques, creating great work product, and using the Send to CaseMap feature in Adobe® Acrobat® and other tools.

To register, fill out and submit a registration form.

To learn more, visit our Web site law.lexisnexis.com/casemap/training

Or contact litservtraining@lexisnexis.com or 425-463-3546.

^ back to TOC

This message is an advertisement or solicitation from LexisNexis, 9443 Springboro Pike, Miamisburg, OH 45342. If you do not wish to receive commercial e-mail messages from LexisNexis, use this link to unsubscribe.

LexisNexis, lexis.com, Shepard's, Shepard's Alert and the Knowledge Burst logo are registered trademarks and Shepard's Signal is a trademark of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used under license. CaseMap, TimeMap, TextMap, NoteMap and DepPrep are registered trademarks of LexisNexis, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. West and Westlaw are registered trademarks of West Publishing Corporation. Other products or services may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

Privacy & Security Copyright © 2009 LexisNexis, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. 127287a