Senior Research Analyst

General Description

The Senior Research Analyst responds to complex legal, corporate, and industry research requests, meeting the daily information needs of firm lawyers, business professionals and clients using industry-standard databases and tools. This role conducts research at an advanced level, evaluates sources, organizes findings into high-quality work product, manages workflow priorities and deadlines with sound judgment and accountability, and takes a proactive role in promoting Research Services tools, offerings, and services throughout the firm.

Key Responsibilities

• Appropriately scope, research, and respond to complex legal, corporate, industry, and client-related research requests.
• Lead research strategy for all sophisticated queries.
• Evaluate sources and organize information into high-quality work product sent directly to firm lawyers, business professionals or clients.
• Exercise judgment and accountability in prioritizing billable workflow and either meeting or communicating effectively around deadlines.
• Provide and implement current awareness and litigation alerting, particularly as part of firm's industry sector and business development initiatives.
• Lead group and individual instruction on research techniques, methodologies, and strategies.
• Train firm lawyers and business professionals on the functionality and usefulness of information resources, including industry standard legal and corporate databases.
• Proactively promote research tools, offerings and services through participation in practice group, section, industry, and team meetings as assigned research liaison.
• Develop and maintain a keen understanding of the information needs, workflow, and preferences of users and stakeholders in order to support and improve ease of access to information.
• Complete required knowledge management and record keeping, including time entry for all billable and lawyer-facing research, metadata entry for all time billed, metadata entry for all research requests, and compilation of all research communication and components in firm research intake platform.
• Assess and report on resource or technology needs, as well as collection strengths and weaknesses, through conversations with firm lawyers and other key stakeholders.
• Advance improvements in research workflow efficiency and output through the use of technology including AI tools, standardized research templates, knowledge creation, and other solutions that enhance quality, consistency, and speed.
• Attend research training, legal vendor training, knowledge sharing sessions, and other continuing education toward maintaining highest quality service output.
• Lead research team committees focused on clear project outputs such as intranet and ERM maintenance, hiring, subscription audit and review, etc.
• Support the firm's information resource stewardship, complying with all information security, privacy, confidentiality and licensing requirements while educating all users on the same.
• Collaborate with members of the Knowledge Management and Artificial Intelligence teams to support the goals of the Knowledge & Innovation Department.
• Expected to maintain a regular and predictable work schedule and full attention to and engagement in work activities on behalf of the firm during business hours unless otherwise approved or required by applicable law.
• Special projects and duties as assigned.

Required Skills

• Advanced legal, corporate, and industry research skills, including the ability to identify relevant authority and information sources, evaluate credibility and currency, and clearly explain research scope, methodology, and findings.
• Demonstrated ability to scope, lead, and execute complex, multi-step research requests; conduct effective reference interviews; organize information logically; and deliver high-quality work product.
• Strong critical thinking, sound professional judgment, attention to detail, discretion, accountability, and independent problem-solving skills, including the ability to anticipate attorney research needs and recommend practical information solutions.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, including active listening, clear writing, professional speaking, and the ability to engage stakeholders effectively.
• Demonstrated ability to teach, train, and promote research services, tools, and best practices to firm lawyers, business professionals, practice groups, and industry sector groups.
• Demonstrated team and project leadership, including mentoring junior researchers, supporting team upskilling, sharing knowledge, and collaboration.
• Advanced understanding of legal systems, legal industry trends, research methods, and efficient, cost-effective strategies across legal and non-legal information sources, including generative AI.
• Proficiency with MS Office Suite, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Copilot; ability to adapt to new technologies and workflows; and basic troubleshooting skills for common access issues involving databases and online content.
• Independently motivated, team-minded, and committed to continuing education, including proactive professional development, self-awareness of knowledge gaps, effective prioritization, and stress management.

Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Library and Information Science from an ALA accredited school or equivalent degree.
• Bachelor's Degree with more than 8 years of legal, corporate or library professional experience may be substituted in exceptional circumstances.
• Minimum of 5 years legal, corporate or library professional research or reference experience required; preferably in a law firm setting or equivalent.
• Advanced research and database competency, including proficiency with Lexis, Westlaw, Lex Machina, Bloomberg, Intelligize, VitalLaw, Checkpoint, S&P Capital IQ, Pitchbook, PACER, HeinOnline, or equivalents.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods of time.
• Moderate or advanced keyboard usage.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical (PPO and HDHPs), dental and vision plans including coverage for domestic partners.
• Life and AD&D insurance.
• Short and long term disability insurance.
• Tax-advantaged accounts for health care expenses, including FSAs and HSAs; FSAs for dependent care.
• Health advocacy services.
• Behavioral health and counseling resources for all family members.
• 401(k) and profit sharing.
• Backup dependent care.
• Senior care planning support.
• Resources for individuals with development disabilities and their caregivers.
• Paid holidays and other paid time off, including paid leave for new parents.