Senior Research Consultant Jobs (NOW HIRING)

At K&L Gates, we are looking for smart, imaginative and hard-working people with diverse backgrounds, experiences and ideas to join us. Perhaps our search for talented visionaries and your search for important and impactful work lead to the same place.

K&L Gates is seeking a skilled Senior Research Analyst with Intellectual Property research expertise to join our global Research & Information Team. The Senior Research Analyst provides the firm’s lawyers and allied professionals with high-quality legal, business, and public records research, as well as training and research consultation services. The successful candidate demonstrates excellent communication skills, a commitment to providing high-quality customer service and work products, and is a self-starter who possesses the ability to work independently and as part of a team. Ideal applicants are proactive problem-solvers with strong research and critical thinking skills, technological fluency, and the ability to prioritize billable workflow, while managing multiple research projects simultaneously.

• This position works a Monday through Friday schedule from 9:00 am – 5:30 pm Eastern Time.
• Position can be fully remote.
• Applicants must reside in one of the states in which K&L Gates operates, and be within commuting distance.

The Senior Research Analyst provides legal and non-legal research services, analysis and training instruction to all K&L Gates lawyers and allied professionals.

This position is part of the Research & Information Department, situated across multiple offices, and works collaboratively to serve lawyers and allied professionals across K&L Gates’ global platform. This position reports directly to the Senior Manager, Research Services, with additional oversight and advisement provided by the Team Lead, Senior Research Analysts.

• Provide expert-level research and consultative services to lawyers and allied professionals across multiple time zones via a centralized ticketing system, conducting reference interviews as needed and demonstrating strong professional communication skills.
  • Conduct legal, business, and public records research using government and subscription resources, such as Lexis, Westlaw, VitalLaw, Bloomberg Law, S&P’s Capital IQ, D&B Hoovers, Orbis, CasePortal, TLOxp and Experian. Experience with specialized, practice-specific databases like Intelligize, Pitchbook, Derwent Innovation and Docket Navigator is appreciated.
  • Evaluate diverse information sources for currency, reliability, relevance and cost-effectiveness, and select the optimal resources for particular research requests.
    Present clear, logically organized and readily-digestible results, integrating findings into final work products that are responsive to the question(s) asked, in a timely manner.
  • Exercise good judgment and accountability in prioritizing billable workflow and either meeting or communicating effectively around deadlines.
• Critically engage with new technologies, such as Generative AI tools, when appropriate.
• Appropriately scope, research, and respond to complex legal, corporate, industry, and client-related research requests.
• Lead research strategy for all queries that require expert-level analysis and/or require some level of project management, such as defining project objectives, scope, deliverables and/or the coordination of multiple team members.
• Provide and implement current awareness and litigation alerting, particularly as part of firm’s industry sector and business development initiatives.
• Develop and maintain a keen understanding of the information needs, workflow, and preferences of users and stakeholders in order to support and improve ease of access to information.
• Actively liaise and communicate with selected practice and industry groups to develop subject expertise and facilitate better and more proactive service delivery. This includes synthesizing practice group feedback into the development of new library service offerings and/or the acquisition or cancelation of related information resources.
• Serve as a subject matter expert by designing and delivering presentations, training materials, and instructional programs on research methods, resources, and designated practice tools, providing support for lateral onboardings, Practice Group meetings, and both on-demand and scheduled training sessions for lawyers and staff.
• Serve as a peer mentor for junior team members to provide expert research and reference support.
• Complete required knowledge management and record-keeping, including time entry for all billable and lawyer-facing research.
• Participate in trials, demos, purchasing decisions, and test new applications and upgrades to existing products.
• Assist team members in developing the department’s resource offerings by evaluating new and existing research tools and making recommendations for purchases and renewals. Present resource recommendations to library leadership to better optimize the firm’s research portfolio as appropriate.
• Act as steward of the firm’s information resources; complying with all information security, privacy, confidentiality and licensing requirements, while educating all users on the same.
• Meet regularly with Directors of Practice Operations, and PALs, as necessary, to review resources, usage and potential new research products in the market.
• Consult on RFPs that entail practice-area research expertise.
• Participate in available professional development opportunities and remain current on technological, professional and industry developments in librarianship. Present key lessons to library colleagues, and when appropriate, to practitioners.
• Additional research, technical tasks and projects may be assigned as needed.

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a law firm, government, court, academic, or corporate setting performing complex research in a deadline-driven Environment, or comparable experience.
• Applicants with Intellectual Property research experience are preferred.
• Qualified applicants should have a Master’s Degree in Library or Information Science from an ALA-accredited institution, preferably with course work in law librarianship. Consideration is given to JD-holding applicants with relevant law library experience.
• Fundamental understanding of legal systems and concepts, with an awareness of the legal industry and current trends.
• Demonstrated expertise in one or more of the following subject areas: Corporate and Securities; Intellectual Property; Finance and Investment Management; Public Policy; and/or International/Foreign Law research and information resources.
• Significant knowledge of research methods and competencies, including a demonstrated understanding of efficient and cost-effective research strategies across legal and non-legal information sources.
• Expert-level ability to conduct and apply research plans, engage in reference interviews, analyze information, logically organize information, and integrate findings into work product.
• Critical evaluation skills, including a demonstrated expert ability to answer research questions; identify relevant legal authority and information sources; assess the credibility, currency, and validity of information; as well as explain thought process and scope of research findings in a clear, concise and well-organized manner.
• Demonstrated ability to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment with frequent unscheduled interruptions while exercising sound professional judgment, discretion, strategic thinking, independent problem solving, and accountability to effectively prioritize and manage multiple concurrent projects and billable workflows, while maintaining a fine attention to detail.
• Best-in-class communication skills, including active listening, clear writing, professional speech, cultural sensitivity, emotional intelligence, and civility.
• Strong presentation skills, including persuasive and confident speech and writing.
• Strong commitment to collaboration, knowledge sharing, relationship building and team goals and objectives.
• Future-focused outlook with a proven ability to engage all relevant stakeholders, breaking down silos and barriers, and identifying creative solutions that benefit all.
• Self-awareness of skill and knowledge gaps with a commitment to closing them.
• Well demonstrated adherence to professional, firm, and team guidelines, rules and policies and demonstrated sound and transparent decision-making.

• Carry out responsibilities in an honest, ethical and professional manner.
• Stay informed of legal industry trends, including Generative AI, data analytics, and emerging research technologies.
• This job operates in an office setting and is largely sedentary, requiring the routine use of a computer and other standard office equipment.
• Occasional adjusted schedule, additional hours outside of set schedule, evening/weekend and/or holiday hours may be required in order to meet deadlines and service level commitments.
  

$85,280 - $159,915/year

The compensation salary for this position will be determined during the interview process and will vary based on multiple factors, including but not limited to prior experience, relevant expertise, current business needs, and market factors.

K&L Gates is a fully integrated global law firm with lawyers located in more than 40 offices. We have experienced dramatic growth in the past decade and now rank among the largest U.S. based law firms in the world. We take pride in constantly striving for innovation, imagination and an entrepreneurial spirit. We come up with big ideas and then roll up our sleeves to get the job done, guiding our clients through their most complex issues in a variety of industry sectors and across multiple regions of the world.

The industry recognition the firm has garnered emanates from the foundation of a global community aligned on behalf of our clients. The people at K&L Gates are committed to working together to create a legacy for each other, the firm, our clients, and the communities in which we serve. We thrive in an inclusive and socially conscious environment that embraces diversity and takes a holistic approach to the career evolution of all our professionals.

Notice: We participate in E-Verify in certain Firm locations for purposes of verifying employment eligibility.

Please be advised that this position requires successful completion of a background check. In accordance with the Washington State Fair Chance Act, Los Angeles Fair Chance Ordinance, San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, the California Fair Chance Act, and applicable law qualified California and Washington State applicants with criminal history records will be considered. A criminal history will not categorically exclude a candidate from employment, and the Firm will consider relevant factors before making employment decisions based on criminal history information.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

K&L Gates offers our personnel a comprehensive suite of benefits to help meet your needs now and in the future. Depending on your eligibility, options for full-time personnel include:

• Medical/Prescription Drug Coverage (including a Health Savings Account feature)
• Back-up Child/Elder Care and access to a caregiving concierge
• Dental Insurance
• Wellness Program
• Vision Insurance
• Pre-tax Commuting Benefits
• 401(k) Retirement Plan and Profit Sharing
• Business Travel Accident Insurance
• Short- and Long-term Disability Protection
• Pet Insurance
• Life Insurance (including Basic, Supplemental, Spouse, Child, and Accidental Death and Dismemberment)
• Health Advocacy Services
• Paid Time Off (25-30 days per year)
• Identity Protection/Restoration and Fraud Insurance
• Parental Leave (18 weeks of which 6 are paid; short-term disability may provide additional paid time off)
• Student loan refinancing options and access to a student loan concierge service
• Paid Holidays (12)
• Addiction Resources
• Family Building Benefits
• Breast Milk Delivery and Lactation Support Services
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Employees also may be eligible to receive bonuses and certain expense reimbursements
• Employee Assistance Program
• Professional Development and CLE Credit Opportunities
• 529 Deductions
• Relocation
• Accident Insurance
• Employee Referral Program
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Hybrid/Remote Work Opportunities
• Hospital Indemnity Insurance
• Perks including: Technology, Entertainment, and Travel Discount Programs
• Bereavement Leave
• All other benefits (such as leaves of absence) required by law

The Firm is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of the Firm that employment decisions shall be based on merit, qualifications and competence. Employment practices will not be influenced or affected by virtue of a person’s race (including traits associated with race, including hair texture and protective hairstyles such as afros, braids, locks, and twists), religion, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, gender, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, familial status, domestic violence victim status, military and veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. This policy governs all aspects of employment including, without limitation, recruiting, hiring, compensation, benefits, promotion, assignment, and dismissal. In addition, the Firm’s policy to provide an environment that is free of prohibited harassment of any