Home

Affordability

Bringing on an associate isn’t just about offering a salary— it’s a major investment of your time, energy, and resources. Recruiting, training, managing, and retaining someone takes real commitment. And for many solo and small firm lawyers, sometimes that kind of long-term overhead just doesn’t make business sense.

Outsourcing your legal research and writing gives you access to experienced, high-level support without the cost, risk, or management burden of hiring in-house. It’s a flexible, efficient way to extend your capacity —whether you need help drafting a motion, writing or polishing a complex appellate brief, or developing a legal strategy on a tight timeline.

You stay in control: you define the scope of the project, set the budget, and drive the timeline. And what you receive in return is more than just work product—it’s thoughtful, strategic legal writing that reflects the standards and responsiveness you'd expect from a seasoned colleague.

It's the kind of partnership that respects your time, your clients, and the demands of your litigation and appellate practice.

The cost starts at $150/hour and many service can be done for a flat rate.

Expertise

With over three decades of experience as a trial and appellate lawyer, I understand what it takes to build a strong legal argument—on paper and in the courtroom. My background combines deep writing discipline, honed through an English degree from Florida State University’s writing program, with the legal rigor of a J.D. from the University of Florida.

I’ve handled complex, high-impact litigation—cases that have ended political careers and reshaped public institutions. I’ve tried cases in county and circuit courts, litigated in U.S. District Courts, and argued appeals before Florida’s District Courts of Appeal and federal Circuit Courts of Appeal. I’ve even briefed a case before the U.S. Supreme Court, successfully persuading the justices to let a favorable Eleventh Circuit opinion stand.

I got my legal education at the right time. Westlaw had just out when I was in law school and my job in the law library meant that I had unfettered access. I learned that computers can be a boon to research. But blindly using Artificial Intelligence (AI) can lead to trouble and sanctions. I learned to research and write the old fashioned way.

Whether you're looking for sharp appellate strategy, help preserving the record, or a second set of eyes on a high-stakes brief, I bring seasoned judgment, clear writing, and a deep respect for the work trial and appellate lawyers do.

Legal Writing Services

Great legal writing can change the course of a case. At Legal Research Lab, I provide top-tier legal writing support—appellate briefs, motions, pleadings, and more— designed to help your firm win.
With over 30 years focused on trial and appellate work and now on legal research and writing, I know how to break down complex legal issues, sharpen your arguments, and present your case in the clearest, most compelling way. Whether you're deep in motion practice or prepping for appeal, I’ll help you put your best work forward.
What I offer:
• Motion Practice: Strong, strategic motions and responses built from scratch.
• Appellate Briefs: Full-service drafting for state and federal courts.
• Pleadings: Smart complaints, answers, third-party, complaint, and interpleaders that can survive scrutiny and build leverage early.
• Discovery: Custom, focused requests and interrogatories that actually get you what you need. (I can even script out the depositions you take to get the answers and admissions you need.)
• Other Documents: Mediation statements, settlement memos, internal research—whatever moves the case forward.
Outsourcing lets you stay focused on your clients and your courtroom strategy, while I handle the heavy lifting on paper.

Legal Research Services

Strong legal writing starts with strong legal research. At Legal Research Lab, I know that persuasive arguments are built on a foundation of clear, well-supported analysis—and that research is often where the winning strategy begins.

Whether you need a quick answer to a focused question, deeper analysis for an ongoing case, or rapid support during trial, I offer expert-level legal research tailored to your needs. I work with attorneys who want thorough, reliable research without sacrificing speed, accuracy, or quality.

With over 30 years of experience, I know how to find, interpret, and apply the law to strengthen your case and sharpen your arguments.

I’ve handled research across a wide range of jurisdictions and legal issues — so no matter where you practice, I can help.

Research services include:
Case law research to support motions and briefs
Statutory and regulatory analysis
Complex issue analysis for unsettled areas of law
Trial and pretrial research, including mid-trial questions
Appellate research focused on standards of review
Supplemental research to bolster existing filings

Outsourcing to Legal Research Lab gives your firm flexibility, saves time, and ensures your arguments are backed by rock-solid legal support—when it matters most.

Steve Cody

Steve Cody has practiced as an accomplished attorney with more than three decades of legal experience, specializing in litigation, civil rights, and disability law. A member of the Florida Bar since 1981, he began his legal career as a Legislative Aide to Rep. William E. Sadowski in the Florida House of Representatives.
After the 1982 legislative session, Steve returned to Miami and launched what would become a wide-ranging and impactful law practice.

Throughout his career, Steve has brought and defended cases at every level of Florida’s state and federal court systems. He played a central role in landmark litigation under the Voting Rights Act of 1965, helping to reshape how local governments in Miami-Dade County and throughout the Southern United States. These cases led to the creation of single-member districts and contributed to the broader movement for municipal incorporation in the region.

In private practice, Steve represented major institutional clients such as The Royal Bank of Canada, Rhode Island Hospital Trust, and Cessna Finance. He later developed a focus on mortgage foreclosure defense, frequently speaking at CLE seminars. He also litigated hundreds of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) cases, securing equal access for individuals with vision, hearing, and mobility impairments.

An accident blinded him which led to his allowing his membership in The Florida Bar to expire. He has since undergone several surgeries which restored his sight.

Steve holds dual bachelor's degrees in English and Government from Florida State University (1978) and earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Florida (1981).

He and his late wife, Rita Maria Herrera-Cody, moved to what is now Palmetto Bay in 1992, where they raised their four children. Steve is committed to using his legal expertise to serve the community.