Research Librarian - Des Moines, IA

Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Parking/transportation options

401k/Roth retirement plan

Profit-sharing

Job summary

Fredrikson & Byron, P.A. is a premier Midwest law firm providing high-quality research support to attorneys and staff. We seek a Research Librarian to join the Research & Knowledge Management team and deliver legal and business research using leading resources and AI-enabled tools.

You will manage requests, create research deliverables, and help attorneys apply AI-assisted research best practices. The role offers collaboration, training opportunities, and ongoing professional growth within a

Qualifications

• MLIS from an ALA-accredited program is required; JD strongly preferred.
• 3–5 years of legal/business research experience in a law firm or law library.
• Experience with Westlaw, Bloomberg, VitalLaw, PACER, Case Portal, Courthouse News, Capital IQ, and similar resources.
• Hands-on experience with AI platforms, prompt engineering, and responsible AI research practices.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, organizational skills, and ability to manage multiple priorities.

Responsibilities

• Conduct legal and business research from multiple sources and synthesize findings into clear, well-supported responses.
• Utilize AI-enabled tools and validate AI outputs with sound judgment.
• Assist attorneys and staff in applying AI-assisted research best practices and prompts.
• Manage research requests through the department's ticketing system.
• Produce customized research deliverables and reports for internal clients using templates and GenAI workflows.
• Collaborate to create and manage current awareness and docket alerts.
• Contribute to evaluating research service trends and opportunities for process improvement.
• Assist in evaluating and trialing new information resources, providing feedback on content quality and usability.
• Collaborate with Senior Research Librarians to deliver legal research and information literacy training.
• Maintain intranet content (SharePoint) with research guides and references.
• Support assigned practice groups by sharing resources and updates.

Skills

Prompt engineering

Research synthesis

Training delivery

Client service

Communication

Education

MLIS from an ALA-accredited program

Juris Doctor (JD) preferred

Tools

Westlaw Deep Research

CoCounsel

Harvey

Bloomberg

VitalLaw

PACER

Case Portal

Courthouse News

Capital IQ

Job description

Who We Are

Fredrikson & Byron is the premier Midwest-based law firm working collaboratively to help businesses achieve their goals regionally, nationally, and globally.

Who We Are

Fredrikson & Byron is the premier Midwest-based law firm working collaboratively to help businesses achieve their goals regionally, nationally, and globally.

Overview

We are seeking a Research Librarian to join our Research & Knowledge Management team and deliver high-impact legal and business research support to attorneys and firm staff. This role reports to the Director of Research and Knowledge Management. RKM is part of Legal Operations and is a highly collaborative department responsible for legal research services and resources, document automation, knowledge management, business intelligence, and AI enablement initiatives across the firm.

In this role, you will serve as a trusted research partner to attorneys, legal professionals, and staff, delivering high-quality legal and business research using leading information resources and AI-enabled tools such as Westlaw Deep Research, CoCounsel, and Harvey. You will also help attorneys and staff use research resources and tools effectively, responsibly, and confidently in their work.

Key Responsibilities Include

• Conduct legal and business research of varying complexity, synthesizing information from multiple sources into clear, accurate, and well-supported responses.
• Utilize AI-enabled research tools and emerging technologies to enhance research efficiency and analysis, while exercising sound judgment when validating, refining, and contextualizing AI-assisted outputs.
• Assist attorneys and staff in applying AI-assisted research best practices, including selecting appropriate tools, developing effective prompts, and critically evaluating outputs.
• Manage incoming research requests through the department's ticketing system, prioritizing inquiries, and either responding directly or routing to the appropriate team member.
• Produce customized research deliverables and reports for internal clients by analyzing information and leveraging templates and GenAI tools and workflows to summarize, synthesize, and present findings effectively and accurately.
• Collaborate with colleagues to create and manage a large portfolio of current awareness and docket alerts.
• Contribute to efforts to evaluate research service trends, identify opportunities for process improvement, and support strategic RKM initiatives.
• Assist in evaluating and trialing new information resources. Provide feedback regarding content quality, research functionality, accuracy, and usability.
• Collaborate with Senior Research Librarians in the development and delivery of legal research and information literacy training programs.
• Maintain content on the RKM intranet (SharePoint), including research guides, pathfinders, bibliographies, and quick-reference materials that promote effective use of firm resources.
• Serve as a research partner to assigned practice groups by attending team meetings, identifying emerging information needs, promoting available resources and services, and sharing relevant research and technology updates.
• Contribute to a culture of continuous learning by staying current on industry trends and participating in professional organizations and conferences.

Our Ideal Candidates Will Have

• Master's degree in Library and Information Science (MLIS) from an ALA-accredited institution required. Juris Doctor (JD) degree strongly preferred.
• Three to five years of experience providing legal and business research support and training in a law firm or law library, including demonstrated proficiency with a broad range of legal, regulatory, company, and business intelligence resources such as Westlaw, Bloomberg, VitalLaw, PACER, Case Portal, Courthouse News, Capital IQ, and similar platforms.
• Hands-on experience using legal and enterprise AI platforms with demonstrated skill in prompt engineering, output validation, and responsible AI-assisted research practices.
• Expertise in assessing, validating, and synthesizing information from authoritative sources, transforming complex research findings into clear, accurate, and well-supported responses.
• Curiosity and enthusiasm for emerging legal research technologies, with an ability to learn and adopt new tools and workflows quickly.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong organizational abilities, and the capacity to manage multiple priorities while maintaining a high level of client service in a fast-paced professional environment.
• Experience developing and delivering training, presentations, reference guides, or other instructional materials.

Benefits

Our comprehensive benefits options include medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, short- and long-term disability, employee resource benefits (inclusive of counseling, coaching, and caregiving guidance), paid parental leave, parenting classes, pre-tax parking and transportation options, and much more! Our retirement plan includes financial planning, Social Security/Medicare planning, 401k/Roth investment options, and a firm-paid profit-sharing contribution. Benefits are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms and conditions.

About Fredrikson

Fredrikson & Byron is a leading Midwest law firm working collaboratively to help businesses achieve their goals regionally, nationally and globally. With a reputation as the firm "where law and business meet", our attorneys bring business acumen and entrepreneurial thinking to work with clients and operate as business advisors and strategic partners as well as legal counselors. To best serve our clients, we provide innovative solutions to legal needs while reflecting inclusion and diversity as core values. We offer highly competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits in a collaborative work environment. The firm’s 425 attorneys serve clients from offices in Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Mexico and China. Learn more at fredlaw.com or LinkedIn.

Fredrikson is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply. Fredrikson does not discriminate in its recruiting, hiring or employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, age, sex, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, national origin, ancestry, marital status, familial status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, military or veteran status, genetic information, status with regard to public assistance, and any other characteristics protected by applicable local, state, and/or federal laws.

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