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"

Screenshot

The search results page after running the query 'Medical doctor specializing in traumatic brain injuries in California'. Shows the search bar at top with the query, then a list of expert result cards each showing a masked name (e.g., 'Dr. J. M.'), their headline, specialty tags in amber pill badges, and a city/state location. One card shows an 'Unlocked' green indicator.

#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.

Screenshot

The left-side filter panel expanded, showing a Specialty section with a 'Filter specialties…' search box and 'Neurology' selected with an amber count badge on the section header, a State section with California and Texas chips selected in amber, a 'Joined Exlitem' toggle switched on, a Min Experience row of chips with '10+ yr' selected, and a Contact section with two checkboxes.

#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)

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