Legal Research Analyst

Overview

Legal Research Analyst (Non-Exempt)

This role provides expert legal research and reference support at the intersection of legal knowledge, information science, and client service. Responsibilities include translating complex legal, legislative, and company research questions into precise, actionable answers under tight deadlines, as well as helping shape how the organization discovers, evaluates, and adopts research tools and technologies.

The position operates within the organization’s Client Solutions and Innovation function and reports to the Director of Knowledge Management and Research.

Responsibilities

• Research and reference services

  • Provide efficient, effective, and reliable expert research and reference support to attorneys, paralegals, legal assistants, and administrative departments using appropriate online databases and materials.
  • Manage the full lifecycle of reference inquiries, including promptly self-assigning requests, corresponding with requestors, and accurately recording completed research in the organization’s research queue.
  • Apply legal, legislative, and company research expertise to resolve complex, high-stakes questions across practice areas and jurisdictions.
  • Produce content on industry “hot topics,” as needed, to keep attorneys and clients informed of emerging developments.
  • Build and maintain current awareness newsletters, alerts, and legislative tracking to help stakeholders stay ahead of developments impacting matters.

• Knowledge enablement and training

  • Instruct attorneys and staff on best practices for using research materials and online databases to increase firmwide research fluency.
  • Create user reference guides, training programs, and other resources to help end-users conduct research more effectively.
  • Maintain up-to-date research resources across practice group sites, proactively reflecting changes and additions across various databases.
  • Engage in continuous professional development to sustain expert-level knowledge and stay current on changes and enhancements to research resources.

• Innovation and cross-functional collaboration

  • Participate in pilot programs evaluating new research products and testing emerging applications to help shape the organization’s research technology roadmap.
  • Partner with leadership to drive research strategy and product development, ensuring research capabilities remain best-in-class.
  • Collaborate with the Client Solutions and Innovation function, Marketing & Business Development, and other departments on cross-functional projects and assignments.

• Other responsibilities

  • Perform other responsibilities as assigned.

Requirements

• Education

  • High school diploma required.
  • BA, MLS and/or JD strongly preferred.

• Experience

  • Minimum of 5+ years of progressive legal reference and research experience.
  • Demonstrated deep and broad mastery of the legal materials and databases needed to support a wide range of practice areas and jurisdictions.

• Database and software proficiency

  • Demonstrated proficiency across a wide range of legal research databases and software programs, including but not limited to:
    • Westlaw Precision
    • Lexis+ with Protégé
    • Wolters Kluwer–VitalLaw
    • Bloomberg Law
    • PACER
    • CasePortal
    • Checkpoint RIA
    • HeinOnline
    • Drafting Assistant
    • Quest
    • TLO
  • Technology fluency; familiarity with SharePoint preferred.

• Skills

  • Polished professional interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate complex research findings clearly, follow instructions effectively, and provide information with consistent courtesy and tact.
  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to distill sophisticated legal and business research into clear, actionable guidance for attorneys and clients.

• Abilities

  • Strong customer service orientation with a commitment to consistently high responsiveness and professionalism.
  • Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, prioritize multiple competing requests, and maintain a professional demeanor.
  • Self-motivated, meticulous, and well organized; able to work independently or collaboratively under tight deadlines.
  • Flexibility to provide after-hours and weekend coverage occasionally, as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• BA, MLS and/or JD strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with SharePoint preferred.

Compensation & Benefits

• Not specified in the provided job description.

Location

• Not specified in the provided job description.

Working Conditions

• Normal office environment with little exposure to excessive noise, dust, extreme temperatures, and the like.

Additional Information

• This description is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job and is not an exhaustive statement of essential functions, responsibilities, or requirements.
• Employees are required to comply with the organization’s information privacy and security requirements, including its acceptable use policy, as dictated by laws and regulations, professional standards, and the marketplace, and applicable to the organization and through its clients.