One under-utilized function of LexisNexis is the ability for the user to set research and result preferences that Lexis will remember each time the user visits.

You can pick and choose how you want Lexis to display or search options and search results. Here are a few suggestions.

 

Start Location
You can choose where Lexis starts each time you sign on. The Search page is probably the most useful.

Show this tab at the beginning…
The tabs on the top left of the page can change, but you will want to keep this preference on Legal. Lexis also has News and Public Records options, but for a paralegal, the Legal tab is the most useful.

Natural Language
You can change the number of results that are returned for a search. You can also change the way the results are ordered. If you want them to appear by date, the most recent first, select to sort by “Date” instead of “Relevance.”

Retrieve
This will tell Lexis how many cases or other authorities to show per page. It is set at first to 10 at a time, so if you get 50 results, there will be 5 pages with 10 results each.

Allow me to edit my search
When Lexis returns your search results, it can provide you with options for editing your search. For instance, if you find a particularly good headnote, you can ask Lexis to conduct a new search for more cases like that headnote. It is suggested that you keep all these checked.

Results view
This is some fine tuning, allowing the researcher to eliminate some of the Lexis options in when your results are shown. We suggest you leave this alone until you become familiar enough with Lexis to make personal preference choices.

Pagination Display
This option provides information as to the page by page setup of the document being viewed.

Case Law Display
When you are viewing a case, Lexis can show you several optional elements. You can de-select any of these that you want, but you probably want to leave them all selected.

Statute Display
Lexis has a tool called the Practitioner’s Toolbox that provides information and research assistance. Leave it selected.

Country Code
Leave this selected as United States unless you are a Canadian student.

Enhanced Table of Contents Display
These are advanced options that provide tools while you are viewing an authority. Select the “Show floating cite assistant,” as this can be a useful tool. You can de-select it later if you like.

History
Sets options for the history of a case. You can change the amount of retrievals at a time if you like, but leave the order in Reverse Chronological mode.

Now all you have to do is click on SET.