A relatively new alternative to Lexis and Westlaw is Practical Law Company (PLC), a legal research resource that provides information and how-to guides on transactional practice. PLC is a UK-based legal publishing company that opened an office in New York in December 2008. The US based services include PLC Finance, PLC Corporate & Securities, and PLC Law Department. Last year, an Am Law Daily article had a good description of what the company does.
Its resources are written by experienced lawyers from top firms and legal departments and include overviews of practice areas, model documents and checklists, and updates on the current transactional landscape. Content description is like Live EDGAR but does not include full text SEC filings, court dockets, or cases. The database includes specific clauses, standard forms, and customized summaries of recent filings and transactions. It has drafting guidance, content by topic, and sources for international transactions.
Brooklyn Law School law students and faculty can sign up for free at this link. Sign up allows summer access and free usage for six months after graduation. PLC also features tools specifically designed for law students, including an Interview Survival Guide and a Summer Associate Survival Guide that provides information about common associate assignments such as running a closing, forming a corporation, drafting agreements, conducting due diligence, and more. A quick virtual tour is available here.