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Trellis Integrates State Trial Court Research into Microsoft 365 Copilot

In a significant advancement for legal technology, Trellis, a prominent legal research platform, recently announced its integration with Microsoft 365 Copilot as part of the latter's Copilot for Legal initiative. This collaboration enables legal professionals to seamlessly access data and research on state trial courts within their existing tools, marking a pivotal enhancement in the efficiency and effectiveness of legal research.

A New Era in Legal Research

The integration brings Trellis’s extensive database of state trial court data and litigation intelligence directly into Microsoft 365 Copilot. Legal practitioners can now leverage this integration to identify successful motions, research judges and opposing counsel, and support their drafting efforts—all without leaving the familiar environment of Microsoft 365 applications. With access to over 2.5 billion court records from approximately 45 states, 3,000+ courts, and 30,000+ judges, attorneys have an unparalleled resource at their fingertips.

According to a recent Technology Survey by the International Legal Technology Association, the adoption of AI in the legal sector is growing rapidly. An impressive 94% of firms are currently utilizing or exploring generative AI tools, a significant increase from 80% the previous year. Among these tools, Microsoft’s Copilot has emerged as the most widely used, already reaching 76% of surveyed firms.

Bridging the Gaps in Legal Research

Despite the critical role played by state trial courts in the legal system, traditional research often focuses primarily on published appellate opinions, which represent only a fraction of the overall caseload. In fact, statistics from the National Center for State Courts reveal that around 98% of all cases are adjudicated in state trial courts without ever reaching the appellate stage. This narrow focus presents a significant gap in legal understanding and practice—one that Trellis aims to address.

Nicole Clark, the CEO and co-founder of Trellis, emphasizes the importance of accessing previously successful motions, stating, “Attorneys should never start from a blank page. Some of the most useful legal research starts with a motion another attorney has already researched and argued.” With the ability to surface successful motions that address comparable facts, attorneys can extract persuasive arguments and relevant case law more efficiently, providing them a clear starting point for their own drafting.

Enhancing Drafting Efficiency Through Intelligent Insights

Trellis’s integration with Microsoft 365 Copilot allows for the creation of focused reading lists based on a motion's table of authorities, guiding attorneys as they prepare their appellate research. These insights hold particular significance when drafting motions, pleadings, or research memos using Microsoft Word, making the process more streamlined and effective.

Alon Shwartz, COO and co-founder of Trellis, articulates the transformative potential of this integration, asserting, “The real opportunity isn't just giving LLMs or agents access to more legal data. It's what attorneys can do with that data, and giving it to them at the right time.” By embedding Trellis’s litigation intelligence into Microsoft 365 Copilot, attorneys can utilize this data precisely when needed, ensuring they maximize their productivity.

A Comprehensive Legal Ecosystem

The Copilot for Legal initiative not only includes the Trellis integration but also introduces more than 20 specialized legal skills and enhances access to tailored legal data through partner connectors. By embedding state trial court research within these workflows, Trellis empowers legal professionals to work smarter and refine their research methodologies as they engage with Microsoft 365 tools.

In conclusion, the integration of Trellis with Microsoft 365 Copilot marks a significant leap forward in legal research technology. As Trellis continues to expand its reach across various AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude, it reaffirms its commitment to providing legal professionals with the resources they need to succeed in an increasingly complex legal landscape. To initiate the integration, users need a free Trellis account and an eligible Microsoft 365 Copilot license. Organizations with restrictions on access to connectors are encouraged to contact their Microsoft 365 administrators for access.

For further information about Trellis, visit trellis.law.

This integration exemplifies how technology continues to reshape the legal landscape, making vital resources more accessible while enhancing the capabilities available to legal practitioners.