Wolters Kluwer Legal & Regulatory U.S. is today introducing an application programming interface (API) that will enable law firms to search and access treatise content on WK’s Cheetah research platform directly from their internal intranets.

The new search API allows access to WK’s treatise content through a representational state transfer (REST) API framework. It will allow law firm IT staff to embed the native Cheetah search experience within the firm’s intranet portal, so that legal professionals can search treatises without having to switch away from the environment in which they are working.

In addition to allowing search and filtering of Cheetah resources, the API includes the ability to print, download, and preview results, all from within the firm’s environment.

Preview a document via the search API.

During a demonstration of the API last week, Adam King, director of product platforms, told me that the extent of the integration can range from light to heavy, depending on the preferences of the firm and its IT staff.

The basic integration starts with a simple “out-of-the-box” search interface on the firm’s intranet, which will allow searches across the firm’s subscribed content on Cheetah. Searches can be refined by practice area, jurisdiction, treatise title, and other filters.

From the search results, users can jump directly into Cheetah to see the full results.

Filter search results via the API.

“More than ever, our customers need tools that provide expert content at their point of need and integrate it seamlessly into their workflow,” said Ken Crutchfield, vice president and general manager of legal markets, who also participated in the demonstration.

“Wolters Kluwer is pleased to take steps to make its content more actionable for customers by providing this capability, enabling more ways to make our information available without requiring login credentials, or even accessing our Cheetah platform.”

During the demonstration, Crutchfield and King also reviewed other recent enhancements WK has introduced. These include:

  • Expansion and simplification of Single Sign-On, which makes it possible for law firm users to access WK information securely without being prompted to enter their user ID or password.
  • Establishment of permanent links to chapter, sub-chapter, and practical content for easy linking and bookmarking in documents, SharePoint practice pages, and other systems.
  • Expansion of widgets, with more than 850 customizable title and practice tool widgets designed to easily integrate within a law firm’s portal environment and provide seamless access to specific content, treatises, or practice tools.
  • Fast access by citation, allowing users to efficiently find, print and download targeted Cheetah primary source content and forms directly from their portal without needing to enter a User ID or password.

You can find out more here: https://know.wolterskluwerlr.com/LP=2284.

Photo of Bob Ambrogi Bob Ambrogi

Bob is a lawyer, veteran legal journalist, and award-winning blogger and podcaster. In 2011, he was named to the inaugural Fastcase 50, honoring “the law’s smartest, most courageous innovators, techies, visionaries and leaders.” Earlier in his career, he was editor-in-chief of several legal publications, including The National Law Journal, and editorial director of ALM’s Litigation Services Division.