Legal Research Analyst

About the Role

The Legal Research Analyst serves as a trusted expert resource at the intersection of legal knowledge, information science, and client service, delivering sophisticated research support that underpins the Firm’s important matters. Leveraging deep expertise across legal, legislative, and company research databases, the Analyst partners directly with attorneys, paralegals, and business services teams to translate complex research questions into precise, actionable answers under tight deadlines. Beyond day-to-day reference support, the Analyst shapes how the Firm discovers, evaluates, and adopts research tools and technologies, piloting new products, building durable knowledge resources, and training colleagues to work smarter.

This position operates within Baker Donelson's Client Solutions and Innovation Group, provides research services firm-wide under general supervision, and reports to the Director of Knowledge Management and Research.

Responsibilities

• Research and Reference Services
  • Deliver efficient, effective, and reliable expert research and reference support to attorneys, paralegals, legal assistants, and administrative departments, using the most appropriate online databases and materials.
  • Own the full lifecycle of reference inquiries, from self-assigning requests and corresponding with requestors to recording completed research in the Firm's research queue.
  • Apply proficient legal, legislative, and company research expertise to resolve complex, high-stakes questions across the Firm's practice areas and jurisdictions.
  • Produce content on industry hot topics to keep attorneys and clients informed on emerging developments.
  • Build and maintain current awareness newsletters, alerts, and legislative tracking to keep stakeholders ahead of developments.
• Knowledge Enablement and Training
  • Instruct attorneys and staff on the best use of research materials and online databases, elevating firmwide research fluency.
  • Create user reference guides, training programs, and other resources that promote awareness and equip end-users to conduct research effectively.
  • Maintain up-to-date research resources across practice group sites, reflecting changes and additions to databases.
  • Engage in continuous professional development to sustain expert-level knowledge and stay ahead of changes to Firm resources.
• Innovation and Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Participate in pilot programs evaluating new research products and testing emerging applications, helping shape the Firm's research technology roadmap.
  • Partner with Firm leadership to drive research strategy and product development, ensuring research capabilities remain best-in-class.
  • Collaborate with the Client Solutions and Innovation Group, Marketing & Business Development, and other departments on cross-functional projects.
• Perform other responsibilities as assigned.

Requirements

• Experience and Knowledge
  • High school diploma required; BA, MLS, and/or JD strongly preferred.
  • Minimum of 5+ years of progressive legal reference and research experience, with deep and broad mastery of legal materials and databases needed to support the Firm's practice areas and jurisdictions.
  • Demonstrated proficiency across legal research databases and software, including Westlaw Precision, Lexis+ with Protégé, Wolters Kluwer-VitalLaw, Bloomberg Law, PACER, CasePortal, Checkpoint RIA, HeinOnline, Drafting Assistant, Quest, and TLO.
  • Technology fluency, with familiarity with SharePoint preferred.
• Skills
  • Polished professional interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate complex research findings clearly and provide information with consistent courtesy and tact.
  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, distilling sophisticated legal and business research into clear, actionable guidance.
• Abilities
  • Strong customer service orientation, with a commitment to delivering high responsiveness and professionalism.
  • Proven ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, prioritizing multiple competing requests while maintaining professionalism.
  • Self-motivated, meticulous, and well-organized, with the ability to work independently or collaboratively under tight deadlines.
  • Flexibility to provide after-hours and weekend coverage occasionally, as needed.

Working Conditions

Normal office environment with little exposure to excessive noise, dust, or extreme temperatures.