Research and Knowledge Analyst

With 22 offices, more than 1,700 attorneys and 50-plus practice areas, Skadden advises businesses, financial institutions and governmental entities around the world on their most complex, high-profile matters, providing the guidance they need to compete in today’s business environment.

We are known for our utmost dedication to client service, commitment to excellence, creativity and resourcefulness in providing innovative advice and novel legal solutions.

Skadden advises clients on their most important matters, including M&A, private equity, banking and finance, corporate restructuring, capital markets, including high yield, investment management, tax, insurance, EU competition, financial regulatory, employment, government enforcement and white collar crime, as well as international litigation and arbitration.

Through our integrated practices and collaborative approach, we provide significant value and cost-efficiencies by bringing together the exceptional breadth of experience needed to satisfy our clients’ business objectives.

JOB SUMMARY:

Assists the Research & Knowledge Services (R & KS) Manager and Knowledge Strategy Manager with the tasks set out below.  
 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Research:

• Works collaboratively with the Research & Knowledge Services team, in the London, US and European offices, providing legal and business related research queries as and when necessary and covers the R & KS staff in their absence. This includes: Providing cost effective research services in UK and US law using electronic and print resources.

• Conducts effective reference interviews.

• Uses the R & KS Department's workflow system, Workstream , for collaborating with staff members and communicating with attorneys.

• Participates in planning for new technologies and selecting new products.

   

  Online Services:

   

• Assists the R & KS Manager with testing new products and services.

• Maintains online user lists by adding and cancelling passwords when required.

• Contacts vendors and troubleshooting when necessary.

   

  R & KS Procurement and Serials Management:

   

• Orders and processes new books and journals, including their addition to the Library catalogue.

• Adds details of new books to the firm's current awareness bulletin.

• Shelves books using the Library of Congress system.

• Maintains the book sign out system and retrieving overdue books.

• Locates books for users.

• Circulates journals, marks in loose leaf updates, maintains serial records and circulation lists.

• Locates journals upon request.

• Obtains copies of articles from journals not subscribed to.

• Filing loose-leaf updates when required

• Contact leavers and request return of Library books, cancel leaver logins and update circulation lists
   

  In-House Databases & Intranet:
   

• Updates and adds new content to the R & KS and Knowledge Strategy Slate pages

• Maintains various London office library related Access databases

   

  Current awareness:
   

• Check electronic sources and email updates and produce English law current awareness alerts on various topics which are circulated to London attorneys

• Co-ordinate content, format and distribute Knowledge News (the KS & R &KS monthly update) to the London office.

   

   

   

  Training (R&KS):

   

• Conducts R & KS inductions for new joiners, including trainees, vacation students and summer associates.

• Assists with R & KS related seminars from time to time.

• Assists with preparation of and maintaining R & KS brochures and training materials.

   

  Assistance with legal training admin::

   

• Assists with the general administration of the London legal training programme including updating training records and assisting with the administration of training sessions.

   

  General:

   

• Helps promote the R & KS Department to current and potential users.

• Assists with R & KS accounts and invoices when necessary.

• Participates in R & KS projects as and when required.

• Demonstrates effective interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills to facilitate effective work relationships with others.

• Manages Firm resources responsibly.

• Complies with and understands Firm operation, policies and procedures.

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES AND OTHER JOB-RELATED COMPETENCIES:
 

• Good knowledge of UK and US law

• Highly competent legal and business research skills

• Knowledge of sources of UK and US legal and business information.

• Experience of using and maintaining know-how and other databases.

• Experience of commercial legal on-line services such as Westlaw UK, WestlawEdge, Lexis Library, Lexis Advance, Practical Law, Perfect Information, Mergermarket,Debtwire, Capital IQ and BLaw and the Bloomberg terminal

• Experience of data entering

• Indexing and classifying abilities

• Demonstrates effective interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills to facilitate effective work relationships with others.

• Knowledge of relevant firm computer software programs (e.g. Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint), with the ability to learn new software and operating systems.

• Demonstrates close attention to detail.

• Ability to handle multiple projects and shifting priorities

• Ability to handle sensitive matters and maintain confidentiality

• Ability to organize and prioritize work

• Ability to work well in a demanding and fast-paced environment.

• Ability to work well independently as well as effectively within a team.

  • Flexibility to adjust hours and work the hours necessary to meet operating and business needs.

     

    EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Educated to degree level

• Relevant Library and Information qualification

• Legal and business research experience in a law firm Library or Research Centre

We pay generous rates and provide our lawyers with a highly competitive benefits package. The package includes:

• Discretionary year-end bonus
• Private medical insurance
• Permanent health insurance
• Life assurance
• Interest free season ticket loan
• Gym allowance

The Skadden training programme has evolved over the years as the firm has grown and assists our lawyers in their development by providing them with the necessary skills to take on as much responsibility as they are ready for. The programme includes:

• Regular know-how meetings. Our partners participate in City committees that contribute to the development of laws and regulations.
• Weekly and monthly training seminars and workshops for all levels covering legal topics relevant to the firm's practice areas and skills. These are presented by partners and associates and external specialists, QC's and other professionals.
• Live video-links to seminars presented across Skadden's network of offices.
• A number of pro-bono opportunities are also available to our lawyers through our pro-bono programme. We are affiliated to LawWorks, a registered charity which supplies pro-bono projects to the firm.