Senior Research Specialist

Job Description

Roseland, NJ

Summary

A leading national law firm with over 400 lawyers and 300 business services professionals, serving clients from offices across New York, Palo Alto, Roseland, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and Wilmington, seeks a Senior Research Specialist. This role conducts legal, business, and general research in response to requests from attorneys, paralegals, clients, and business services professionals. The Senior Research Specialist supports the effective use of the firm’s research tools and resources, assists with training and onboarding related to research services, maintains research and knowledge resources, and participates in departmental projects under the direction of the Manager of Research Services.

Responsibilities

\n
• Responds to research requests from attorneys, paralegals, clients, and business services professionals by clarifying the request, identifying appropriate resources, and providing timely, accurate, and cost-effective research support.
\n
• Summarizes and organizes research findings into clear work product tailored to the requestor’s needs, following department standards and best practices.
\n
• Assists attorneys and staff in identifying appropriate research resources and search approaches, including the use of AI-assisted research tools, and escalates complex or unusual requests as appropriate.
\n
• Uses the Quest request management system to track research requests, priorities, and research and administrative time in accordance with department procedures.
\n
• Builds and maintains collaborative working relationships with attorneys, professional staff, vendors, and professional associations to support prompt and cost-effective research service.
\n
• Maintains research and practice group intranet pages and supports updates to firmwide knowledge resources.
\n
• Supports the effective use of firm resources by assisting with one-on-one sessions, videos, group sessions, and new-hire onboarding related to research services, electronic resources, and knowledge management best practices.
\n
• Stays current on emerging research technologies, including AI capabilities, through vendor training and continuing education, and shares best practices with attorneys and staff on the intelligent, cost-effective use of research resources.
\n
• Participates in trials and pilots of new research resources and provides feedback to the Manager of Research Services regarding functionality, usefulness, and potential application to firm research needs.
\n
• Supports news monitoring, docket tracking, and alerting services for attorneys and practice groups.
\n
• Maintains individual professional development through literature review and attendance at webinars or conferences and shares those insights with colleagues.
\n
• Participates in department projects and performs other duties as assigned.
\n

Qualifications

\n
• M.L.S. with 3–5 years of relevant legal research experience.
\n
• Strong proficiency with legal and non-legal research resources in all formats, as well as emerging research technologies, including AI-assisted research platforms such as generative AI tools within Westlaw and Lexis, Harvey, and similar tools.
\n
• Demonstrated experience searching research databases and websites and using spreadsheets, word processing, and web publishing tools to organize and present information.
\n
• Ability to review and validate AI-assisted research results and research outputs for accuracy, reliability, and completeness.
\n
• Knowledge of SharePoint and other knowledge-sharing or collaboration platforms a plus.
\n
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and shifting priorities in a team-oriented, collaborative, fast-paced environment.
\n
• Ability to work well under pressure and meet deadlines, with strong attention to detail and commitment to responsive, high-quality client service.
\n
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate clearly and collaborate with a diverse group of legal and non-legal professionals.
\n
• Sound judgment and discretion in handling sensitive and confidential client and firm information.
\n

Compensation: $95,000.00-$115,000.00, plus bonus