Research Librarian

Job Description

Job Description

Musick Peeler is seeking a  Research Librarian  in our Los Angeles office. This position is a full-time, non-exempt, and hybrid position. After 60 days on-site, this position becomes eligible to work remotely two days a week.

The Research Librarian   will provide legal research and support to attorneys and legal support staff firmwide. This includes analyzing case law, statutes, regulations, and judicial decisions to produce risk assessments and research feedback for attorneys. This also includes locating information and documents from publicly available sources, internal information sources and subscription services. This position will assist with the negotiation of library material contracts and online and print subscription renewals, together with the maintenance of firm resource research accounts and tracking vendor invoices.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct investigative non-interpretive research, legal research regarding case law, statutes and regulations, company research, expert research, litigation history, legal forms, and verdict searches by utilizing the appropriate mix of the firm's external and internal legal, business, and news resources.
• Recommends additions of electronic and print sources to the firm's library collection, maintaining a focus on trends in client requests and interests.
• Monitor and route complaints filed against firm clients from Courthouse News by use of dingers.
• Monitor dockets in various courts for developments requested by attorneys.
• Monitor RFPs from BidsUSA, BidSync and FindRFP.com. Work with and provide supporting documents to the Director of Administration.
• Develop and provide presentations to attorney practice groups, and other departments on research tools and current developments. Periodically travel to regional offices regarding same.
• Work with practice group leaders and Director of Administration regarding library material needs firmwide.
• Conduct training on research resources and research techniques with attorneys and paralegals firmwide.
• Provide orientation and onboarding training programs for attorneys and paralegals.
• Obtain interlibrary loans from other firms, L.A. Law Library, Los Angeles Public Library, or UCLA Libraries, as needed.
• Negotiate and maintain contracts with all major research vendors—including Thomson Reuters (Westlaw), LexisNexis, Bloomberg Law, and other subscription services—regarding online platforms and print library maintenance agreements, in collaboration with the Director of Administration.
• Be the contact person for the customer service representatives for library vendors.
• Oversee receipt of new library items, track vendor accounts and costs, handle renewal of subscriptions, and approve vendor invoices. Work together with the Director of Administration regarding same.
• Monitor various legal, industry, or subject topics to keep up to date on industry current trends and best practices. Keep up with new developments, technologies, innovations, and products in the fields of legal and business research.
• Evaluate and stay current on AI-powered research and legal technology tools; advise on their potential integration into firm workflows and train attorneys and staff on their appropriate use.
• Maintain a thorough understanding of the scope, accuracy, and cost-effectiveness of the firm's various research resources and select the most relevant tools for any given request.
• Maintain research resources and library inventory.
• Work on special projects as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

• Master's Degree in Library Science and/or JD degree is preferred, or 5 years' relevant experience in a law firm environment (legal research); or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience with standard legal resources, such as Lexis, Westlaw, Law360, Accurint, PeopleMap, Business Credit Reports, DataTree, and other related research subscription services.
• Familiarity with AI-assisted legal research tools (experience with CoCounsel by Thomson Reuters is preferred) and demonstrated ability to assess their accuracy, limitations, and cost-effectiveness.
• Demonstrated experience with software applications and integrated library systems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with attention to accuracy and detail.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Keen interest in technology and innovation, including emerging AI tools and their application to legal and business research.
• Strong organization skills, adept at multi-tasking and prioritization.
• Service-oriented, team player, with initiative and proactive mindset.