Legal Reference Librarian

State; Boston, Northern (MA, KY); Hybrid; USD 73,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and dental insurance

Life insurance

Long-term disability

Retirement plan

Job summary

New England Law Boston in Boston seeks a full-time Legal Reference Librarian to join our law library team. The role provides extensive reference and research services to faculty and students, with emphasis on effective use of print and electronic resources.

The candidate will work on Westlaw, LexisNexis, and Bloomberg Law, design research guides, assist law review editors, and offer instruction on legal research.

Qualifications

• JD and MLS required; relevant law library experience may substitute for one degree.
• Professional demeanor and outstanding customer service skills.
• High-level skill in using major legal research platforms (Westlaw, LexisNexis, Bloomberg Law).
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively; prioritize and meet deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Respond to in-library, phone, email and live-chat reference questions using print or electronic resources.
• Provide instruction on legal research to users of varying skill levels.
• Perform complex, longer-term research projects for faculty and administration.
• Assist in designing and maintaining research webpages using LibGuides.
• Assist student law review editors with cite-checking and topic development.
• Teach legal research to law students via presentations.
• Maintain current awareness of library trends and embrace new ideas and technologies.
• Other duties as needed (e.g. collection weeding).

Skills

Customer service

Legal research

Teaching

Communication

Collaboration

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Master of Library Science (MLS)

Tools

Westlaw

LexisNexis

Bloomberg Law

Job description

Legal Reference Librarian, New England Law Boston (Boston)

Job Title: Legal Reference Librarian (full time, on site)

Salary Range: $73,000 - $80,000

Summary:

The New England Law Library is accepting applications for a full-time Legal Reference Librarian to join our team. This position will provide extensive reference and research services in assisting faculty and the student body.

We are seeking a candidate with strong legal research skills who possesses experience working with faculty, students, and/or legal professionals in a service-oriented environment. Strong communication abilities are essential, as is enthusiasm for working with a collaborative and innovative team of professionals.

Recent and upcoming December 2026 graduates are encouraged to apply. The planned start date for this position is fall 2026.

About New England Law Boston:

New England Law Boston has been a mainstay in Boston for over 100 years. Located in the heart of historic downtown Boston, New England Law offers the opportunity to become an integral part of a special community of students, scholars, and dedicated people from diverse backgrounds. In addition to outstanding opportunities for a rewarding career, law school employees enjoy excellent benefits, including health and dental insurance, life insurance, long-term disability, and a retirement plan.

• health and dental insurance
• life insurance
• long-term disability
• a retirement plan

• Respond to in-library, phone, email and live-chat reference questions using print or electronic resources as appropriate.
• Provide individualized instruction to users of varying skill levels in the legal research process and in effective use of electronic databases and print resources.
• Perform complex, longer-term research projects for faculty and administration.
• Participate in research training of first year law students as requested by the Director of the Legal Research and Writing Program through in-person teaching, creation of legal research exercises, and/or production of asynchronous video instruction.
• Assist in designing and maintaining the research webpages on the Law Library website, using LibGuides.
• Assist student law review editors and associates throughout the year in their work cite-checking articles, selecting topics for notes and case comments, and developing those topics through in-depth research.
• Teach legal research to law students through presentations to upper-level electives by faculty invitation.
• Maintain a current awareness of library trends through professional development and demonstrate a willingness to embrace new ideas and technologies.
• Other duties as needed (e.g. collection weeding or evaluation projects).

Requirements

• Professional demeanor and outstanding customer service skills required
• High-level skill in using and teaching legal research materials and databases, including all major legal research platforms (Westlaw, LexisNexis, Bloomberg Law)
• JD and MLS required, relevant law library experience may substitute for one degree
• Demonstrated initiative and ability to work both independently and collaborativelyAbility to prioritize and maintain deadlines
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills

Standard hours of this position are 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, M-F, with some evenings required.

It is the policy of New England Law Boston to provide equality of opportunity for all persons, including faculty and employees, with respect to hiring, continuation, promotion and tenure, and any other terms or conditions of employment, without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, genetic information, military status, age, or disability. The law school complies with all applicable federal, state, and local nondiscrimination laws, including Title IX.

Qualifications

• Professional demeanor and outstanding customer service skills required
• High-level skill in using and teaching legal research materials and databases, including all major legal research platforms (Westlaw, LexisNexis, Bloomberg Law)
• JD and MLS required, relevant law library experience may substitute for one degree
• Demonstrated initiative and ability to work both independently and collaboratively
• Ability to prioritize and maintain deadlines
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills