The American Association of Law Libraries has named Thomson Reuters CoCounsel Legal the recipient of its 2026 New Product Award, the organization announced yesterday.
AALL’s New Product Award recognizes commercial information products that enhance law library services or improve access to legal information and the research process. To be eligible, products must have been introduced to the library marketplace within the past two years; significantly updated or reintroduced products are also considered.
CoCounsel Legal allows users to conduct legal research, analyze documents, and assist with drafting through a single plain-language query. The platform integrates Westlaw authority and Practical Law guidance, Thomson Reuters says, to streamline complex research tasks.
“CoCounsel Legal reflects the kind of thoughtful innovation that is reshaping how legal information is accessed and applied,” AALL President Jenny Silbiger said in the announcement. “By combining advanced technology with trusted legal content, it offers a practical approach to improving research workflows and supporting more efficient, informed decision-making.”
Emily Colbert, senior vice president of CoCounsel at Thomson Reuters, said the product is “built to deliver fiduciary-grade AI, pairing trusted legal content with advanced technology to help professionals work more efficiently without compromising quality.”
CoCounsel has had a notable trajectory in the legal AI space. Thomson Reuters acquired Casetext, the original developer of CoCounsel, in 2023 for $650 million, and has since integrated and rebranded the product as part of its broader AI strategy.
Notably, Casetext itself twice won this award, in 2021 for its product Compose by Casetext and in 2017 for Casetext CARA.
Thomson Reuters is also a multi-year winner, having previously won in 2019 for its Statutes Compare and Regulations Compare on Westlaw Edge, in 2011 for WestlawNext, and in 1999 for KeyCite.
The award will be presented during the AALL annual meeting, which is scheduled for July 18-21 in Baltimore.
