Legal Research Analyst

Venable LLP•Chicago, IL

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Venable is seeking a Legal Research Analyst to provide high-quality legal, business, and general research support to attorneys, paralegals, and staff across offices. The role involves responding to a high volume of research requests, conducting research in various domains, and providing well-organized deliverables. The analyst will support legal research using core platforms and other online resources, obtain documents from courts and agencies, and utilize firm-approved AI/analytics tools. Additionally, the position requires monitoring legal and industry topics, establishing alerts for business development, and maintaining awareness of research techniques and operations.

Requirements

Masters in Library/Information Science (MLIS) or comparable advanced degree.
Minimum of 4 years of experience in a law firm, corporation, or investment banking library performing high stakes, complex research in a deadline driven environment.
Significant experience providing advanced legal and business research in a law firm or comparable professional services environment.
Experience working directly with attorneys, including successful prioritization of work assignments and effective management of internal client relationships to deliver high-quality work directly relevant to attorney needs.
Well-versed in current research methodologies and resources.
Ability to work as a team player, working cooperatively with all personnel.
A strong client service attitude.
Work occasionally may require after hours and weekend coverage to perform the essential duties of the position.

Responsibilities

Responding to a high volume of research requests across offices/practice areas; clarifying scope, timelines, and deliverable format; Tracking all requests in the centralized ticketing system, including resources used, response, and time spent.
Conducting research across legal and non-legal domains, including business/competitive intelligence and company/individual background research.
Providing well-organized deliverables (e.g., research summaries, source lists, document retrieval results) tailored to the requestor’s needs; Validating and citing results using primary/authoritative sources and clearly distinguishing AI-assisted drafts from verified work product.
Supporting legal research using core platforms (e.g., Lexis, Westlaw, Bloomberg Law) and other online resources.
Obtaining and delivering documents from courts and agencies using online resources and third-party vendors as needed.
Using firm-approved AI/analytics tools to improve speed and insight (e.g., summarizing large result sets, surfacing patterns).
Monitoring legal, industry, and client topics and delivering timely updates/alerts/briefings; Establishing individual and group alerts for business development and client development research support.
Maintaining current awareness of operations including monitoring lists, alert taxonomies, and distribution workflows; Maintaining current awareness of research techniques and resources; pursuing ongoing professional development.