Support Hub section: Archie > Getting Started with Archie
Learn how to use Westlaw Deep Research in Archie to get a citation-backed legal research report, powered by Westlaw, inside your matter.
Westlaw Deep Research helps you with tasks such as:
- Researching a legal question in plain language
- Finding relevant case law and statutes
- Comparing cases and understanding arguments on both sides
- Checking whether authority is still good law with KeyCite flags
- Validating strategy early in a matter
Westlaw Deep Research is Thomson Reuters’ research tool, surfaced inside Archie. The report is Westlaw’s own output, shown exactly as returned. Archie does not rewrite it.
It is included at no additional Smokeball charge for firms with the Archie add-on and an active Westlaw Advantage or CoCounsel Legal subscription. Before you start, set it up and sign in. See Setting up Westlaw Deep Research. Learn more about Archie and Smokeball AI at https://www.smokeball.com/features/smokeball-ai .
Which research tool should I use?
| Â | Archie | LawY | Westlaw Deep Research |
| Best for | Work that depends on the facts and documents in your matter. | Everyday legal guidance and quick questions. | Authoritative research with validated, citable authority from Westlaw. |
| Output | Answers, drafts, and summaries. | An answer with resources and follow-up questions. | A Westlaw report with cited sources and links to Westlaw. |
| Included with | Archie add-on | Archie add-on | Archie add-on plus Westlaw Advantage or CoCounsel Legal |
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Using Westlaw with LawY
Ask Archie once, and your query goes to every research source you have switched on. Each answer appears in its own tab, word for word as that source wrote it. Archie adds a short summary below the tabs of where the sources agree, where they differ, and what is still open. The summary is clearly marked as Archie’s and never changes what a source said.
LawY usually answers in seconds, while a Westlaw report takes minutes. You'll see LawY’s answer first, and the Westlaw report joins it when it is ready.Â
For a quick question that doesn’t need a full report, untick Westlaw above the chat box for that question. If Westlaw is your only research source, there are no tabs or summary, just your report.
To learn more about LawY, see Using LawY in Archie for Legal Research: https://support.smokeball.com/hc/en-us/articles/33653338648599-Using-LawY-in-Archie-for-Legal-ResearchÂ
Running a Westlaw Deep Research report
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Open a matter in the Smokeball Desktop App or Web App and select the Archie tab.
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Select Research above the chat box, then choose Westlaw. A tick shows it is selected.
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Type your legal question in plain language and send it. A Westlaw AI Deep Research chip appears in the chat box.
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Archie asks you to confirm the research options. Choose your report type, up to 3 jurisdictions, and an optional Client ID. See the table below.
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Select Generate. Select Skip to cancel research for this question.
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Your report starts to generate. You can carry on with other questions while it runs.
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When it is finished, a Report ready message appears. Select Go to the report.
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Report options
| Option | Details |
| Concise report | About 3 minutes. A brief overview of a legal issue. Best for quick questions or simple legal queries. |
| Expanded report | About 15 minutes. Deep analysis with arguments and authority on both sides. Best for more complicated issues, or when you want to think beyond the black-letter law. |
| Jurisdiction | Choose up to 3. Many states offer two options: the state alone, or the state plus federal courts. There are also broader options such as all state courts or all federal courts. |
| Client ID (optional) | A Thomson Reuters Client ID used to track your reports with Westlaw Advantage. It is not a Smokeball client number. |
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Reading your report
The report opens with a summary, then works through the authority issue by issue. Each proposition carries a citation. The report includes a summary, narrative, arguments and rebuttal, a case comparison chart, key cites on every source, and the holding on every case.Â
Citations and KeyCite flags. Hover over a citation to preview the case, including any flag from KeyCite (Westlaw’s check on whether authority is still good law), an AI document summary, and the supporting section. Select the citation to open the full source in Westlaw. The first time you do, Westlaw may ask you to sign in.
Sources. The Sources list at the end of the report shows the cases the report relied on. Secondary sources and Practical Law practice notes are listed where used.
Verify before you rely on it. Open the key cases in Westlaw, check the KeyCite flags, confirm the jurisdiction matches your matter, and apply your own professional judgment.
Westlaw Deep Research reports are generated by AI and may contain mistakes. They are not legal advice. A qualified professional must verify accuracy and legal compliance. Review the cited sources before relying on any research.
When you are done, see Saving Westlaw Deep Research reports and usage limits.
Drafting from your report
Once the report is in your chat, ask Archie to draft from it, for example a client letter or a memo. Archie works from the Westlaw report. The report itself isn’t changed.
Example prompts
Include the jurisdiction, the key facts, and what you want back. Choose Westlaw in the Research menu before you send the question.
| Practice area | Example prompt |
| Estate planning | "Draft a letter to my client explaining how state and federal tax law would affect their existing estate plan in Illinois." |
| Family law | "Analyze whether my client is likely to obtain approval to relocate the children from California to Colorado under California relocation law, and draft a letter to the client explaining the strengths, weaknesses, and evidence we should gather before filing."Â |
| Personal injury | “How does comparative negligence work in Florida, and how does it apply to a motor vehicle accident case?” Then ask Archie: “Draft a letter to my client explaining this.” |
| Workers’ compensation | “Under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act, when does an injury arise in the course and scope of employment for TTD benefits?” Then ask Archie: “Draft an arbitration brief from this.” |
| Civil dispute | "Under California Family Code sections 3011 and 3020, what factors determine the best interest of the child in a contested custody dispute, and how have California appellate courts weighed domestic violence allegations?" |
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Questions? See Westlaw Deep Research: troubleshooting and FAQ.