DescrybeLM Research

DescrybeLM Research is usually the right choice when you want more than a quick lookup. It is designed for work that benefits from a guided research flow and a written answer at the end.

• Research questions that need legal reasoning, not just a quick lookup.
• A first-pass memo or structured legal analysis.
• Fact patterns where the important issues still need to be framed.
• Continuing the same matter through follow-up questions.

You will usually get a better result if you begin with a complete, plain-language description of the matter. DescrybeLM Research works best when it understands both the legal question and the facts that matter.

• Have the core facts ready.
• Include the jurisdiction whenever it matters.
• Decide whether you want analysis, drafting help, issue spotting, or a first-pass memo.
• Keep the session focused on one matter at a time.

Most matters follow the same general sequence. You do not always see every step, but this is the normal flow.

1. 1

   Start with a clear legal question or task

   Open DescrybeLM Research, describe the issue you want help with, and click Start research. You can ask for legal analysis, a first-pass memo, issue spotting, help applying law to a fact pattern, or help thinking through next steps.

2. 2

   Answer any clarifying questions

   If DescrybeLM Research needs more information, it will ask before moving forward. You may answer by choosing from a list, typing a short response, or selecting the correct case when a citation could refer to more than one authority.

3. 3

   Review the proposed plan

   Before full research runs, DescrybeLM Research may show a proposed research plan. This is your chance to confirm that it is approaching the matter the right way.

4. 4

   Review any coverage prompt

   DescrybeLM Research may check whether it has the right authority coverage for your matter. If it identifies a limitation, you may be asked to choose how to proceed or paste in the authorities you want it to rely on.

5. 5

   Run the research

   When the matter is ready, click Run research. DescrybeLM Research will generate a written answer on screen, and in some cases you can also download a Word version.

6. 6

   Ask follow-up questions in the same matter

   After the answer is ready, use Ask another question to go deeper, test a different fact pattern, or refine the result without starting over.

As you work through a matter, DescrybeLM Research may show a mix of buttons, prompts, and status steps. Here is what the main items mean.

Depending on the matter, DescrybeLM Research may offer additional options before or during the research flow.

A little extra specificity at the start usually improves the usefulness of the answer.

• Include the jurisdiction whenever it matters.
• State the key facts and the exact question you need answered.
• Say what kind of work product you want, such as a memo, issue outline, or practical analysis.
• Keep one matter per session. If the topic changes meaningfully, start a new matter.
• Use follow-up questions to explore edge cases, compare outcomes, or ask for a more focused explanation.
• Review cited authorities before relying on them in client work, filings, or advice.

DescrybeLM Research is strong when you want a guided reasoning workflow. For direct lookup tasks, one of the Legal Research Toolkit tools may be faster. Use the Legal Research Toolkit when you want quick lookup and exploration rather than a guided reasoning workflow.

• Use Concept Search when you want to explore a legal topic without a specific question.
• Use Search by Citation when you already know the citation.
• Use Search by Case Name when you already know the case name.
• Use Laws & Rules when you want to search statutes, regulations, or similar sources directly.