Research Specialist

Kirkland & Ellis; New York (NY); On-site; USD 100,000 - 138,000; Full time

Job summary

Kirkland & Ellis in New York seeks an experienced Research Specialist to support attorneys across practice areas with strategic, data-driven insights, leveraging AI-enabled tools for high-impact decisions. You will serve as a trusted research advisor, delivering concise, actionable intelligence and partnering with professionals to inform critical business and client decisions in a fast-paced environment.

Reporting to the Director of Research Services, you will collaborate across the Firm, employ

Qualifications

• Advanced degree (MLS/MLIS) in library science or MBA.
• 5+ years of research experience in a large law firm or corporate library.
• Proficiency with major legal, business and financial research platforms.
• Strong written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Conduct strategic research across legal-adjacent, business, financial and industry topics.
• Develop research solutions; assess resources and create cost-effective strategies.
• Deliver actionable insights, tailored to stakeholder needs and objectives.
• Leverage AI-enabled tools while validating results against authoritative sources.
• Manage multiple priorities, deadlines and stakeholder expectations.
• Provide research intake, triage, and reference support on rotating coverage.

Skills

MLS/MLIS or MBA

Research advisory

Communication skills

Analytical thinking

AI fluency

Project management

Team collaboration

Time management

Education

MLS/MLIS

MBA

Tools

Westlaw

Lexis

Bloomberg Law

Job description

What You'll Do

Are you a skilled researcher who thrives on supporting attorneys across all practice areas with complex business, industry, market, and client intelligence needs, delivering actionable insights and partnering with high-performing professionals?

Kirkland & Ellis is seeking an experienced Research Specialist within the Research Services group of the Firm's Marketing & Business Development (MBD) department in New York. In this role, you will serve as a trusted research advisor to attorneys and business professionals across a broad range of practice areas, providing strategic, data-driven insights that help inform critical business and client decisions.

You'll be part of a collaborative, team-first environment that values curiosity, accountability, continuous improvement and exceptional client service. Reporting to the Director of Research Services, you'll work closely with colleagues across the Firm and combine deep research expertise with emerging technologies, including AI-enabled tools, to deliver high-quality intelligence and analysis in a fast-paced, high-impact setting.

• Conduct Strategic Research: Perform complex legal-adjacent, business, financial, competitive, intellectual property and industry research to support attorneys and business professionals across multiple practice areas.
• Develop Research Solutions: Assess research requests, identify the most effective resources and methodologies and create cost-efficient strategies to answer complex questions.
• Deliver Actionable Insights: Synthesize findings into clear, organized and concise work products tailored to stakeholder needs and business objectives.
• Leverage Advanced Technologies: Utilize leading research platforms and Firm-approved AI-enabled tools to enhance efficiency while validating results against authoritative sources.
• Manage Multiple Priorities: Balance concurrent projects, competing deadlines and shifting priorities while maintaining a high standard of accuracy and responsiveness.
• Provide Research Intake & Reference Support: Participate in rotating coverage of the research desk, including request intake, triage, workload coordination, assignment management and stakeholder communication.
• Ensure Quality & Service Excellence: Review research deliverables for quality, consistency and completeness while supporting a client-focused service model.
• Support Department Initiatives: Contribute to product evaluations, administrative projects and other research-related initiatives as assigned.

What You'll Bring

• Advanced degree (MLS, MLIS) in library science or business (MBA); 5+ years of research experience in a large law firm or corporate library.
• Research Expertise: Advanced proficiency with major legal, business and financial research platforms, including Westlaw, Lexis, Bloomberg Law and specialized litigation, intellectual property and transactional research resources.
• Communication Skills: Outstanding written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to present complex information clearly and effectively to senior stakeholders.
• Analytical Thinking: Strong ability to evaluate information, exercise sound judgment and deliver accurate, insightful results under tight deadlines.
• Technical Proficiency & AI Fluency: Comfort working in a technology-driven environment and leveraging AI-enabled research tools, including prompt development, output evaluation and source validation with Bloomberg Terminal experience preferred.
• Project & Time Management: Proven ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, adapt to changing demands and drive projects through completion.
• Collaboration & Service Mindset: A team-oriented approach with a commitment to partnership, responsiveness, continuous learning and delivering exceptional client service.

If you're passionate about uncovering insights, leveraging innovative research tools and partnering with top-tier professionals to drive informed decision-making in this Research Specialist role, we'd love to hear from you!

Compensation

The base salary range below represents the low and high end of the salary range for this position in New York. This range may differ based on your geographic location and cost of living considerations. At Kirkland & Ellis, we consider compensation more than just a base salary. We offer an exceptional range of flexible benefits including comprehensive healthcare, paid time off, and retirement. We also offer personal support and tailored learning and development opportunities all designed to help you realize your full potential both in life and at work.

Compensation Range:

New York: $100,000 - $138,000

All employment decisions, including the recruiting, hiring, placement, training availability, promotion, compensation, evaluation, disciplinary actions, and termination of employment (if necessary) are made without regard to the employee's race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy or childbirth, personal appearance, family responsibilities, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity, political affiliation, source of income, place of residence, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military veteran status, unfavorable discharge from military service, physical or mental disability, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law. #LI-Hybrid #LI-MP1