Research Librarian - Madison, WI

Phase2 Technology; Madison (WI); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Fredrikson & Byron seeks a Research Librarian to join the Research & Knowledge Management team in Madison, WI. You will deliver high-impact legal and business research, leveraging AI tools, and support attorneys and staff with research requests and training.

The role emphasizes managing research workflows, creating knowledge resources, and contributing to AI enablement initiatives in a fast-paced professional environment.

Qualifications

• MLIS from an ALA-accredited program is required.
• 3–5 years of legal/business research experience in a law firm or law library.
• Experience with AI platforms for legal research and prompt engineering.

Responsibilities

• Conduct legal and business research from multiple sources and deliver clear, well-supported responses.
• Use AI-enabled tools and validate outputs for accuracy and context.
• Assist attorneys in applying AI-assisted research best practices and create research deliverables and reports.
• Manage research requests via ticketing system, prioritize inquiries, and route as needed.
• Develop current awareness and docket alerts and maintain intranet resources.

Skills

Research analysis

AI-assisted research

Prompt engineering

Communication skills

Training delivery

Education

MLIS (ALA-accredited)

Juris Doctor (JD)

Tools

Westlaw

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.

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.

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.