Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
Research Specialist
Office:
New York or Philadelphia
Department:
Research & Information Services
Reports To:
Research Services Manager
FLSA Status:
Exempt
Schedule:
Core Hours will vary depending on location, for NY 09:30 a.m. - 6:00
p.m., M-F, and for Philadelphia 8:30am – 5:00pm M-F, unless otherwise
approved; additional hours as required
______________________________________________________________________________
GENERAL SUMMARY:
Under immediate supervision of the Research Services Manager and
following prescribed department, office and firm procedures, the
Research Specialist is responsible for responding to user requests for
all types of assistance.
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, in 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):
·
Perform reference
and research duties, including responding to user requests for
information from internal and external resources, onsite and offsite
materials, and print and
non-print media; supports research needs of attorneys, paralegals, and
marketing, particularly for the firm’s Labor, Public Law & Policy
and Litigation practices.
·
Perform online
searches using such external databases as Westlaw, LexisAdvance,
Securities Mosaic, Bloomberg Law, and CapitalIQ among others.
·
Analyze internal and external data sources for use in the firm’s business intelligence efforts.
·
Coordinate interlibrary loans, including responding to incoming requests from other firms.
·
Perform electronic current awareness monitoring, analyzing the results and providing appropriate information to attorneys.
·
Coordinate with
assigned practice groups and departmental staff in the recommendation
and consolidation of practice group’s resources, including both
recommendations for purchase
and cancellation.
OTHER ESSENTIAL DUTIES (Duties are performed periodically, as necessary):
·
Handle requests from management, and attorneys from other firm offices, both domestically and internationally.
·
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.
·
Assist in resolving technical problems and issues, as appropriate.
·
Handle administrative and other projects as assigned.
ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
·
Ability to read, write and speak English
·
Substantive
reference and research skills including familiarity with the wide range
of legal and business materials found in a various practices
·
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, 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, percentage
·
Ability to work with a wide range of people in a team setting
·
Ability to establish effective working relationships within the department, office and firm.
·
Ability to establish effective working relationships with clients, vendors and others outside the firm
·
Strong service orientation
·
Commitment to the office and firm
·
Commitment to professional growth
EDUCATIONAL/JOB EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
·
Master of Library Science degree required; J.D. from accredited institution a plus
·
Minimum of 2 years law firm library experience
