Every case, regardless of its origin, is rife with legal documents. For instance, when drafting legal motions, it’s crucial to catch grammar, punctuation, and citation errors that could weaken an argument or undermine credibility. Whether you’re a lawyer, a paralegal, or in academics, legal proofreading software can go above and beyond generic proofreading tools and apply the nuance law requires.
To help you find the best legal proofreading software, we’ve examined the top six. Each one has its own strengths and weaknesses, highlighted below, to ensure you can make the most informed decision possible.
Clio Draft can help you streamline the document creation process itself, with automatic information gathering, e-signature assistance, and more. Schedule a demo and see for yourself.
The importance of legal proofreading
There’s no room for error in the legal process, documents included. Even minor mistakes in a written motion, brief, contract, etc., can delay proceedings, lead to unfavorable outcomes or dissmissals, and can leave you looking unprofessional and unprepared. While fostering a team of strong legal writers is critical, having the right software to proofread your legal documents can be a game-changer.
How proofreading software enhances efficiency
Before software dedicated to proofreading legal documents existed, legal experts were able to complete documents accurately. But, this doesn’t mean the process wasn’t, and isn’t, without its difficulties. Accurate completion of legal documents, no matter the form, requires flawless accuracy and an extreme attention to details. The best legal proofreading software can expedite all of this.
Legal documents are chock-full of technical terms. On top of this, legal documents typically prioritize precision over all else, which goes against the expectations of generic proofreading software (which often look for clarity instead). Lastly, legal documents require precise formatting and in-depth citations for all information.
The best legal proofreading software can save time by:
- Automatically formatting documents to meet legal standards
- Pull from a vast library of legal terms to ensure accuracy
- Automatically cite supplemental documents and information
- Batch process more than one document at a time
Keep in mind, this list is by no means exhaustive. Legal proofreading software offerings vary in capabilities, but most of them can do the above, at minimum.
The top 6 legal proofreading software options
There are numerous options for legal proofreading software—none of them offering the exact same features. To help you decide which one best fits your needs, we’ve pulled six of the best and examined what makes them unique.
PerfectIt™
PerfectIt is a plug-in for Microsoft Word that helps expedite the legal proofing process, from editing to citations, and catching common errors.
Pros
- Comprehensive—with 13,000 different legal checks
- Integrated style manuals make it flexible
- Capable of correcting every error with a single click
Cons
- Requires Microsoft Word to function
- Struggles with clarity when utilizing multiple styles
- Limited functionality for Mac systems
If you’re using Windows computers and comfortable with Word, PerfectIt could be a great fit for your office.
Litera Check
Litera, or Litera Check, provides proofreading, style, citation, formatting, and editing assistance.
Pros
- Compare multiple document types, from spreadsheets to presentations, and Word docs, etc.
- Microsoft Copilot integration allows for workflow streamlining
- iManage integration for further workflow efficiency gains
Cons
- PDF comparison tool is lacking and not always reliable
- Reporting is limited when compared to some software offerings
- Costlier than many legal proofreading options
Overall, Litera Check is a powerful tool for proofreading legal documents. If you don’t need many seats, it’s a great option.
Lexis for Microsoft Office
LexisNexis offers Lexis for Microsoft Office, a robust legal proofreading software that leverages machine learning and natural language processing (NLP) to enhance legal writing and research within Microsoft Word and Outlook.
Pros
- Access to Shepard’s® Citations Service to ensure accurate citations and proper formatting.
- Integrates with Lexis+ AI to enable faster decision making and document creation
- In-depth analytics and media highlights via Nexis Newsdesk
- Gain quick, high-level overviews with automatic legal summaries
Cons
- Many users say the search engine delivers too much information
- Abundance of features make navigation difficult for some
Lexis for Microsoft Office is a powerful, robust legal proofreading software. But, that same abundance of features, and a high cost, could make it a hard sell for smaller firms or solo practitioners.
LexCheck
LexCheck is a plug-in that uses AI to streamline legal contracts drafted in Microsoft Word. Unlike other software offerings, LexCheck is almost entirely AI-powered.
Pros
- Powerful AI enables quick editing and suggestions
- Capable of integrating with existing legal systems in your firm
- Real-time analytics keeps your team in the loop at all times
Cons
- Limited language support for anything other than English
- Users report some issues with formatting at times
- The interface is too busy for some users, providing too much information
If your office uses Microsoft Word and isn’t averse to a hefty subscription cost, LexCheck is one to consider.
Drafting Assistant by Thomson Reuters
Drafting Assistant, by Thomson Reuters, is an AI-powered proofreading assistant that focuses on efficiency and risk mitigation.
Pros
- Locate Authority function makes it easy to contact lead for a case
- Competitive analysis allows quick comparison within transactional docs
- Table of Authorities generation automates citation, saving significant time
Cons
- Many features specific to Thomson Reuters/Westlaw
- Limited in functionality when compared to leading software options
- Higher learning curve than other software
Drafting Assistant isn’t as expensive as some options on this list, especially if you go with the annual contract. If you’re already using other products from Thomson Reuters, Drafting Assistant is a great choice.
Definely Proof
Definely Proof, a part of the Definely software suite, is an AI-powered legal proofreading tool that prioritizes simplicity and speed.
Pros
- Automatic detection of placeholders and markups ensures clean documents
- Cross-reference capability makes it easy to check external documents
- Integration with the entire Definely Suite allows for further efficiency gains
Cons
- Not as feature-rich as some legal proofreading software solutions
- Full benefit of the software requires use of Definely Suite
- Some users report the learning curve is fairly large
If you’re already using any other piece of the Definely Suite, Definely Proof is worth the consideration. If you’re not using any other Definely software, it’s worth shopping around first.
| Features | Pricing (Annual) | Integrations | Target User | |
| PerfectIt |
|
$109-6,760 | Microsoft Word, WordRake | Microsoft Office users, price conscious firms |
| Litera Check |
|
$195/user | DocuSign, iManage, Copilot, Worldox, opentext, HighQ, NetDocuments, Legalsense | Those looking for workflow gains beyond proofreading |
| Lexis for Microsoft Office |
|
$1,824-6,900 | Salesforce, Copilot, Auth0 | Larger firms with need for analytics and insights |
| LexCheck |
|
Not Provided | N/A | Those looking for a simpler experience |
| Drafting Assistant by Thomson Reuters |
|
Not Provided | Microsoft Word, full Thomson Reuters Suite | Those already in the Thomson Reuters Suite |
| Definely |
|
Not Provided | Definely Suite | Those already in the Definely Suite |
Key criteria for choosing proofreading software for your law firm
What makes one legal proofreading software the best choice for one firm, may make it a poor choice for yours. Factor in the following when considering which software to go with.
- Practice size & document volume: If you have a large practice with a sizable document output, check whether the software can support a large library of legal documentation, and if the price is going to bloat too quickly.
- Accuracy & reliability: Make sure the option you go with has a reputation for accuracy and reliability, otherwise you risk documents going out with errors.
- Legal-specific features: Any tools use for proofreading legal documents should have the ability to use common styles, audit and include citations, and more. If an option doesn’t include these legal-specific features, you’re missing out on the full time-saving and accuracy-related benefits.
- AI & automation: Many options will use AI and automation. Check if the offering uses AI and/or automation, and how they go about it. And, make sure reviewers don’t have issues with hallucinations (False/inaccurate readings or output from AI).
- Integration & usability: Take note of any software you’re already using, and whether a potential proofreading solution integrates with them. This, coupled with a low learning curve, can allow your practice to gain even more benefits from your solution.
- Affordability & support: Make sure the solution you choose has a reputation for great support, as you will inevitably need help at some point. When comparing prices, think about how many users or seats you’ll need, and see which solutions offer an annual discount.
Improve document drafting at your firm
Did you know Clio Draft can cut your drafting time by 80% with auto-fill features, templates, and a library of court forms? Elevate your practice with Clio Draft today.
Can traditional proofreading software work for legal documents?
Traditional proofreading software, like the ever popular Grammarly, can technically proofread a legal document to some extent. While a traditional proofreading tool will catch some mistakes, it can also miss those that are specific to the legal world.
On top of this, the legal world contains complex terminology that sometimes conflicts with traditional grammar, not to mention the in-depth citations and various types of formatting.
These complications make it difficult for non-specialized proofreading software to do a thorough, accurate job with legal documents.
Maximizing the benefits of legal proofreading tools
Even the best legal proofreading software can only go so far unless backed by the right implementation and best practices. Once you’ve picked a solution, take the following steps to get the most out of it.
Follow implementation best practices
Identify which workflows are holding your team back the most. Is there a particular workflow that’s leading to more errors than others, or consuming more time?
Once you’ve found one or two problematic workflows, make these your first focus with the software. If you’ve found many of your people lose a significant amount of time to proper citations, choose a software that excels with this and learn the process inside and out.
Learn how to cite AI in legal research.
Train your team
A tool is only helpful if it’s used. Whether yourself or an assigned stakeholder, have someone take point on the software and master it. Then, hold ongoing training sessions that ensure your team knows how to get the most out of the tool.
If possible, and if offered by the software provider, have an onboarding specialist train your team and/or answer any questions they might have on it.
Optimize your workflows and software use over time
Software implementation isn’t a one-and-done process. Set a regular cadence during which you check your team’s performance. Gauge whether the software is benefiting your team, take note of any gains, and then look for areas where you can further refine workflows.
For instance, after optimizing the processes identified in the first step, move on to the next problematic workflows.
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A more efficient, accurate future with the best legal proofreading software
Your team can review and proofread drafted documents without software. But, with each moment your team spends reviewing or proofing a legal document, they could instead focus on attracting more leads, resolving more cases, and making a greater impact.
With careful evaluation of the legal proofreading software options available, and a strategic approach to implementation, your team can save time, reduce errors, and ensure clients have a smoother experience throughout.
Want to save time on the drafting process? Clio Draft can automate information gathering, e-signatures, and document creation. Schedule a demo and come see for yourself how it can help your team today!
We published this blog post in March 2025. Last updated: .
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