Searching for Experts

Exlitem gives you two ways to search: a fast keyword search, and an AI Mode that understands a question written in plain English. The toggle sits inside the search bar, so you can switch between them without leaving the page.

#Keyword Search

The default. Type a name, discipline, or location and hit Search, then narrow the results with the filter panel. Best when you already know roughly who or what you're looking for.

#AI Mode

Switch on AI Mode and describe your need as a sentence. It reads the query as a whole and extracts:

• Specialty — what area of expertise you need
• Location — if you mention a state or city
• Keywords — specific certifications, techniques, or industries

Example queries:

• "Medical doctor specializing in traumatic brain injuries in California"
• "Software engineer with patent litigation experience"
• "Environmental toxicologist familiar with Superfund sites"
• "Forensic accountant, CPA, securities fraud, New York"

#Filters

After running a search, refine results using the filter panel on the left. Each section collapses, and an amber count badge shows how many options you have active in it.

#Reading Search Results

Each result card shows:

• Expert name (masked if unclaimed)
• Headline and specialties
• Location (city, state)
• Credential highlights
• Visibility status (open or locked)
• A Background research action, on accounts with Expert Atlas enabled — it jumps straight to the expert's Atlas view, where you can order a preliminary screening or a full report

Pro and Premium experts have fully open profiles — their contact details are visible without spending credits. Free-tier experts require a credit to unlock. Previously unlocked profiles show a green indicator.

#Claimed vs. Unclaimed Profiles

• Claimed profiles have been verified and are maintained by the expert. They typically have more complete information, a photo, and up-to-date credentials.
• Unclaimed profiles were pre-loaded from public data sources. The information may be incomplete or outdated. We recommend prioritizing claimed profiles for active matters.

#Adding Experts to a Shortlist

From any search result card, you can add an expert directly to a shortlist:

1. Click the Add to Shortlist button on the expert card
2. A popover appears showing your existing shortlists
3. Select a shortlist or create a new one
4. The expert is added immediately

This lets you save promising candidates as you search without leaving the results page. See Matters & Expert Pipeline for more on shortlists.

#Typo Tolerance & Suggestions

The search engine automatically handles typos and misspellings. If your query doesn't match exactly, the system suggests corrections:

• Did you mean? — if a better spelling is detected, a suggestion link appears above the results. Click it to re-run the search with the corrected query.
• Fuzzy matching — minor typos (e.g., "orthopaedic" vs "orthopedic") are matched automatically without needing to correct them.

#Search Suggestions

Once you've typed two characters, the search bar offers live suggestions, each tagged with what it is — Name, Specialty, Category, Location, or a general Search. Pick one to run it directly instead of finishing the query. With the box empty, the dropdown shows your recent searches instead — or trending searches if you haven't run one yet.

#Search History

Your recent search queries are saved so you can pick up where you left off, in two places:

• Under the search bar on the empty search page — your last 10 as clickable chips, each with its result count. Remove one with the × beside it, or Clear all to wipe the list.
• In the search bar dropdown — click into the empty bar and your last 8 appear under Recent Searches.

Clicking any entry re-runs that search. History is tied to your account, so it follows you across devices. The chips appear on keyword search only — AI Mode doesn't show them.

#Expert Comparison

When evaluating multiple experts for a matter, use the comparison tool:

1. Select two to four experts from a shortlist, or click Compare on your dashboard
2. Click Compare
3. A side-by-side view shows credentials, experience, location, and specialties for each expert

Fewer than two or more than four experts won't compare — the page will ask you to adjust your selection. The comparison lives at its own URL, so you can bookmark or share a specific set of experts with co-counsel.

#Notifications

You're notified when events relevant to your account occur — for example, when an expert responds to your inquiry or sends a new message. Notifications appear as a badge on the bell in the top navigation, which refreshes every 30 seconds while the tab is open, so new activity surfaces without a reload. See Account Settings for the full notification and email preferences.

#Tips for Better Results

1. Be specific — "orthopedic surgeon" beats "doctor"
2. Include location — "Texas" filters results automatically
3. Mention certifications — "board-certified", "CPA", "PE" are indexed
4. Try multiple queries — searching "accident reconstruction" and "biomechanics" may return different experts