my UE script loads a saved search and grabs a field value from a case record and updates the related lead record. It does update whatever it finds in the search, but not the newly created record. Anyway, I can get around this? Or must I do this without the saved search?

Sounds weird. Just out of curiosity, what does the search have and how many records are there? I won't recommend doing that in a UE

I would suggest you can populate the field using the saved search

so let's say i have 3 records. once my script runs on the next creation of a lead - it will update the 3 that exists but not the new one...

What event is the script on?

it's on the lead record. i didn't get very far so decided to not use a saved search and instead just check the lead record on an after submit. just need to figure out how to load the sublist case from the lead

Wanted to know what are those 3 records? and how are they related to your lead record?