Research Specialist

American Association of Law Libraries; United States; Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Proskauer is seeking a Research Specialist to provide sophisticated legal and non-legal research to Knowledge Services Clients across a variety of practice areas. You will conduct complex research, interview clients to clarify scope, and distill findings into clear reports while leveraging firm resources and maintaining confidentiality.

The role requires MLS/MLIS/JD with at least 5 years in a law firm environment, strong tech skills, and comfort with remote collaboration.

Qualifications

• MLS/MLIS/J.D. with a minimum of 5 years at a law firm performing sophisticated, complex legal and business research.
• Strong legal research skills with broad access to legal, government, business and financial sources.
• Proficiency with technology in large law firms and ability to quickly learn new tools/workflows.
• Experience with emerging technologies, including AI-assisted research tools, and responsible use guidance.

Responsibilities

• Provide sophisticated legal and non-legal research to Knowledge Services Clients across practice areas using various sources.
• Conduct complex research including case law, statutes, regulations, legislative histories, and more.
• Distill and customize results into clear, concise reports for clients.
• Maintain knowledge of firm resources and search strategies; support time entry and billing for knowledge services.
• Educate clients on resources and research techniques; update research guides and intranet pages.
• Assist with other department tasks and cross-functional collaboration as needed.

Skills

Legal research

Information retrieval

Communication

Time management

Remote work

Education

MLS / MLIS / JD

Tools

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Adobe Acrobat

Job description

Job Description
The world’s leading organizations and global players choose Proskauer to represent them when they need it the most. With 800+ lawyers in key financial centers around the world, we are known for our pragmatic and business-savvy approach.

Proskauer is the place to turn when a matter is complex, innovative, and game-changing. We work seamlessly across practices, industries, and jurisdictions with asset managers, private equity and venture capital firms, Fortune 500 and FTSE companies, major sports leagues, entertainment industry legends, and other industry-redefining companies.

Under the supervision of the Chief Knowledge and Change Management Officer, the Director of Knowledge Services (the “Director”) and the Manager of Knowledge Services (the “Manager”), the Research Specialist will provide superior legal and non-legal research assistance to all Firm lawyers, paralegals, and Business Services staff (“Knowledge Services Clients”), provide support on an as-needed basis to the Knowledge Services team, and perform other duties as assigned.

Responsibilities

• Provide sophisticated, effective, timely, and cost-conscious legal and non-legal research and reference services to all Knowledge Services Clients across a variety of different practice areas using electronic, print, and other sources.
• Perform complex research and reference services that include, but are not limited to, (i) case law, statutory, and regulatory research; (ii) compiling and researching within legislative histories; (iii) biographical research; (iv) locating and pulling requested articles, reports, court filings, and other documents and materials; (v) locating relevant government reports and filings, including SEC filings; (vi) compiling, monitoring, and tracking news, legal, business, and legislative developments by creating and maintaining alerts in a variety of databases; and (vii) the procurement of information materials from outside the Firm.
• Conduct effective and proactive in-depth reference interviews with Knowledge Services Clients to clarify the subject, scope, and purpose of their request, as well as their desired deliverables and any cost and/or time constraints.
• Distill, summarize, and customize research results in order to meet the specific requirements of the Knowledge Services Client. Provide research results as a clear and concise report of findings where possible.
• Maintain a broad and thorough knowledge of (i) the Firm’s online and print resources; and (ii) legal, government, business, and financial information sources in general, and relevant search strategies for each, and exercise sound judgment in leveraging the appropriate resources to meet each Knowledge Services Client’s time and cost needs.
• Strictly comply with and understand Firm policies and procedures, including but not limited to those relating to client and Firm confidentiality and information and data security.
• Keep up-to-date on new resources, search strategies, developments in the legal and business research communities, and emerging technologies, including generative AI and AI-assisted research tools, as they affect the Firm’s knowledge services initiatives and needs.
• Enter all Knowledge Services requests handled into the workflow tracking system.
• Keep track of and bill time spent on client billable matters and comply with Firm’s daily time entry policy.
• Educate Knowledge Services Clients on the use of the Firm’s online and print resources and research techniques.
• Assist in the critical evaluation of proposed and existing Firm online and print resources, including new and emerging technologies, and provide informed, timely feedback and recommendations to the Manager and Director to support collection development and strategy.
• Complete Knowledge Services projects and initiatives, as assigned, such as updating research guides, preparing departmental materials, and assisting with the upkeep of the department’s intranet pages.
• Assist other department staff members as needed.

Qualifications

• M.L.S., M.L.I.S., or J.D. from an accredited school, plus a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience at a law firm (or similar) performing sophisticated, complex legal and business research in a variety of practice areas, jurisdictions, and information types.
• Strong legal research skills including research of complex legal matters and a strong proficiency in using a wide variety of legal electronic and print resources commonly used in large law firms. Specialized knowledge relating to specific legal practice areas (L&E, ERISA, Sports, Securities, Health Care, Tax, etc.) is a plus.
• Thorough working knowledge of legal, business, government, and financial information sources and knowledge of federal, legislative, and regulatory research.
• Strong proficiency with technology commonly found in large law firms and ability to quickly learn and apply new technologies and workflows. Thorough competency with
• Microsoft Office applications such as Microsoft Outlook, Excel, and Word, as well as Adobe Acrobat. Comfort with and ability to work remotely and collaborate virtually.
• Experience using, or a demonstrated interest in, emerging technologies, including generative AI and AI-assisted research tools, with sound judgment regarding their responsible use and when they are best used to complement traditional research methods.
• High professional standards and a commitment to providing quality work product and outstanding customer service.
• Ability to exercise confidentiality and discretion, as well as independent and sound judgment.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, as well as a close attention to detail, and the ability to analyze and communicate findings in a clear and concise manner.
• Superior verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate courteously and effectively with lawyers and staff at all levels, as well as external vendors.
• Strong organizational and time management skills and the ability to work efficiently and systematically to meet deadlines, multi‑task, appropriately prioritize assignments, and demonstrate an appropriate sense of urgency in a fast‑paced environment, under pressure and despite frequent interruptions and changing priorities.
• A self‑motivated, dynamic, proactive, resourceful individual with the ability to both (i) take direction and work in a collaborative, service‑oriented team; and (ii) work independently, initiating and carrying projects through to completion with minimal supervision.
• Flexibility to adjust hours and work the hours necessary to meet operating and business needs, including, but not limited to, providing coverage for other “reference desk” shifts and to assume other job responsibilities within the department.

This position may require periodic physical presence in Proskauer’s offices as business needs require. The anticipated compensation range for this position is $90,000-$110,000. The actual salary offered will be based on a number of factors including but not limited to the qualifications of the applicant, years of relevant experience, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and if applicable, the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job.

Proskauer is committed to providing a work environment that includes equal opportunity without regard to race, color, gender, age, creed, sex, religion, national origin, disability (physical or mental), marital status, citizenship, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, or any other legally protected status.