About Ropes & Gray Ropes & Gray LLP is a preeminent global law firm focused on providing the highest-quality advice on our clients’ critical legal and business issues. Our global team of 2,500 talented professionals regularly helps clients meet high-stakes challenges, solve complex problems and achieve key goals. These colleagues work together across a global office network that includes offices in Boston, Chicago, Hong Kong, London, New York, San Francisco, Seoul, Shanghai, Silicon Valley, Tokyo and Washington, D.C.
We are a contemporary firm that can bring more than 150 years of legal and institutional history to bear on the challenges clients face in today’s global, 24/7 business environment. Our collaborative approach gives our clients—which include many of the world’s most respected companies and institutions—ready access to leading corporate, litigation, transactional and regulatory lawyers whose knowledge and experience span industries and geographies.
With an international presence, we focus primarily on the asset management, technology, life sciences, health care and real estate industries. Our clients include global industry leaders, financial institutions, investment firms, private equity firms, hospitals and health care organizations, educational institutions and individuals.
We have consistently been recognized for our leading practices in many areas, including private equity, M&A, life sciences, health care, finance, investment management, hedge funds, tax, real estate, intellectual property, business and securities litigation, government enforcement, antitrust, and privacy and data security.
Ropes & Gray is an equal opportunity employer.
Research work in the areas of legal, regulatory, and administrative law will be provided to attorneys and staff as needed. In addition, the Senior Research Librarian will take an active role in the selection of infoNet content and outreach to practice groups. The Senior Research Librarian will participate in orienting and educating individual attorneys and staff in the use of library resources and procedures.
Senior Research Librarians are expected to have in-depth knowledge and broad expertise in the firm’s areas of practice and the ability to mentor the Research Librarians in their development.
Position Responsibilities:
- Provides reference services to attorneys and staff in all locations
- Performs in-depth research, using appropriate sources and analyzing results for presentation to the user
- Performs complex research assignments, drawing upon extensive subject matter expertise in the firm’s areas of practice
- Trains attorneys and staff in research techniques and use of library materials and resources
- If needed, assists Competitive Intelligence Research Program Coordinator to provide back-up research for company profiles, person profiles, lateral partner profiles, industry reports, Statesmen Reports, client and subject-area alerts, and client portals
- Provides synthesis and analysis of complex or in-depth research
- Supervises the activities of Research Librarians and Library Technical Services Specialists in the performance of their duties; reviews and supplements research/reference work of Research Librarians, as needed
- Enables Research Librarians to develop subject matter competence and mentors them in specialized and complex areas of research
- Teaches legal/business research, particularly effective use of online databases and knowledge management tools to attorneys and staff, using the most up-to-date educational methods and presentation techniques
- Conducts orientation of attorneys and staff in use and resources of the Library
- Develops and implements outreach activities for various resources, including Knowledge Management or Library initiatives
- Provides service for practice groups in meeting their research needs, developing practice pages on the infoNet, keeping abreast of electronic resources, and gathering significant research skills and knowledge in the firm’s practice areas
- Participates in development of electronic resources and new technologies, including infoNet resources, client portals, RSS news distribution, access to electronic publications, and knowledge management
- Evaluates new electronic resources and provides feedback to the Library’s Trials & Migrations team
- Manages projects as assigned by the Senior Manager of Library Services, which leverages the services and resources of the Library and support the knowledge management activities of the firm
- Records regular library activity metrics and bills research time
Position Requirements:
- MLS required; other graduate degrees which emphasize legal or financial research are strongly desired, such as a J.D. or an M.B.A.
- More than 5 years research experience in a law firm, corporate, or academic law library
- Advanced online research skills and knowledge of both electronic and print legal and business resources
- Demonstrated proficiency in technologies used in a professional services environment
- Demonstrated experience in developing, organizing and distributing appropriate content to an intranet
ESSENTIAL CAPABILITIES:
- Ability to keep up with new materials, changes in resources and techniques, and shifts in information demands; resourcefulness in obtaining needed materials and information.
- Excellent interpersonal, written, presentation and communication skills; willingness and ability to contribute substantively to project teams as well as work alone.
- Ability to prioritize tasks and manage time well.
- Commitment to providing high-quality library service to a large group of demanding users in a fast-paced global law firm environment.
- Must be team-oriented and able to share information, goals, opportunities, successes and failures with the appropriate parties.
- Ability to plan, organize and carry out multiple related activities.
- Ability to work in a multi-office environment.
- Ability to work effectively in a culturally and educationally diverse environment.
- Must pay attention to details and have the ability to follow-up and follow through.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Normal office environment. Incumbent is expected to work the hours necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of the position.
The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of essential functions, responsibilities or requirements.
