F/T - Research Specialist - Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld (Manhattan)

 

Reports to: Librarian – New YorkFLSA Status: ExemptHours: Core Hours: 10:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., M-F, unless otherwise approved; additional hours as required

 

General Summary:

Under immediate supervision of the New York Librarian and following prescribed department, office and firm procedures, the Research Specialist is responsible for performing and managing requests for legal, corporate, business development and other research, especially with a focus for some of the firm’s transactional and policy groups.  The Research Specialist is expected to serve as a positive role model and mentor, and to perform all responsibilities with a commitment to providing superior service to the firm’s attorneys, advisors and staff, efficient and effective departmental operations, and an atmosphere of teamwork and continuous improvement.  Above all, the Research Specialist must fulfill the needs of the firm in a manner which is consistent with the Firm's Core Values.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities (Duties are performed throughout every work day, as necessary):

·         Provide expert-level of reference, research and support and act as a subject matter expert in specialized practice areas, particularly in Tax and Policy, for all US offices;

·         Deliver research training to Attorneys and Staff and assist in the development of new research and reference offerings;

·         Perform online searches using such external databases as WestlawNext, LexisNexis/LexisAdvance, CourtLink, KnowledgeMosaic, HeinOnline, CapitalIQ, DebtWire, among others.

·         Perform local collection management duties, including intake of new materials, materials processing, and shelving.

·         Maintain library catalog records for print materials.

·         Maintain electronic subscription records and password information inDigital Resource Manager.

·         Coordinate interlibrary loans, including responding to incoming requests from other firms; interacting with librarians in New York and elsewhere; and searching OCLC database for interlibrary loan availability.

·         Perform electronic current awareness monitoring, analyzing the results and providing appropriate information to attorneys.

Other Duties (Duties are performed periodically, as necessary):

·         Review work performed by filing service, and resolve problems which may arise.

·         Provide back-up coverage in the event of other department staff member absences.

·         Schedule and follow-up on online database training for attorneys, paralegals and others, including initial skills assessment.

·         Maintain awareness of current legal and business research materials, techniques and resources; build research skills in new areas of the law.

·         Handle administrative and other projects as assigned.

Essential Knowledge, Skills and Competencies:

·         Experience with corporate and business development research including gathering information from diverse sources (annual reports, SEC filings, Secretary of State records, case law, lobbying activity, etc.)

·         Excellent communication skills and the ability to build effective internal and external client relationships.

·         Strong analytical and research skills with the ability to analyze problems logically and methodically and to absorb and synthesize large amounts of data into practical intelligence.

·         Have a strong intellectual curiosity and demonstrate the ability to probe deeply during the research process to identify and draw out insights. 

·         Substantive understanding of legal literature, its organization and availability in a multitude of formats.

·         Familiarity with standard business print and online resources.

·         Familiarity with emerging technologies and their licensing methods.

·         Excellent written and oral communication skills, including grammar, spelling and punctuation.

·         Strong working knowledge of Excel, PowerPoint and Word, and document management systems.

·         Proficiency on office equipment used on a regular basis including computers, printers, copy machines, facsimile machines and telephones.

·         Ability to work independently, take initiative, set priorities and see projects through completion.

·         Ability to meet deadlines and respond to changing priorities.

·         Ability to handle many tasks simultaneously.

·         Ability to perform mathematical functions - add, subtract, multiply, divide, percentages

·         Ability to work with a wide range of people in a team setting.

·         Strong service orientation.

·         Legible handwriting.

·         Ability to read, write and speak English

·         Commitment to the office and firm.

·         Commitment to professional growth.

Educational Qualifications/Job Experience Requirements:

·         Master of Library Science degree required; J.D. from accredited institution a plus.

·         Minimum of 2 years law firm library experience.

 

Please send your resume and cover letter to:

Staff Recruiter
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
Robert S. Strauss Building
1333 New Hampshire Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20036-1564
Fax: 202.452.4807staffrecruiter@akingump.com