Legal Research Associate
A Legal Research Associate is a legal professional who supports attorneys and legal teams by conducting in-depth legal research and legal analysis.
- Context:
- They can (typically) perform Legal Research and Analysis Tasks, such as: legal research and legal analysis.
- They can (typically) perform Legal Document Preparation and Case Supports, such as: legal document preparation and legal case support.
- They can range from being an Entry-Level Legal Research Associate to being a Senior Legal Research Associate.
- ...
- Example(s):
- a Law Firm Research Associate (at a law firm) who compiles case law summaries to support litigation.
- a In-House Legal Research Associate (at a corporate legal department) who researches compliance requirements for new regulations.
- a Government Legal Research Associate (at a government agency) who analyzes proposed legislation for potential legal impacts.
- a Non-Profit Legal Research Associate (at a non-profit organization) who investigates international human rights laws for advocacy campaigns.
- an Academic Legal Research Associate (at a law wchool) who assists professors in preparing scholarly articles on emerging legal trends.
- ...
- Counter-Example(s):
- Contract Managers, since they focus more on managing existing contracts rather than conducting legal research.
- AI Assistants, since they are not human and lack the ability to exercise professional judgment or interpret complex legal nuances.
- Legal Librarians, since ...
- See: Paralegal, Legal Analyst, Attorney.
References
2024
- Perplexity
- Legal Research Associates play a crucial role in supporting attorneys and legal teams by conducting in-depth legal research and analysis. Their key responsibilities and attributes include:
- Job Duties
- Conducting comprehensive legal research using online databases, law libraries, and other resources - Analyzing statutes, regulations, case law, and other legal materials - Preparing detailed legal memoranda, briefs, and other documents - Assisting attorneys in case preparation and strategy development - Reviewing and summarizing legal documents and evidence - Tracking relevant legislative and regulatory developments - Maintaining research databases and organizing legal materials
- Required Skills and Qualifications
- Strong legal research and writing skills - Excellent analytical and critical thinking abilities - Attention to detail and accuracy - Proficiency with legal research tools and databases - Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines - Strong communication and interpersonal skills - Typically requires a J.D. degree, though some positions may accept candidates with a bachelor's degree and relevant experience
- Career Outlook and Salary:
- The job outlook for Legal Research Associates is positive, with 12% growth projected from 2020-2030 for paralegals and legal assistants according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics[1]. The average salary for Legal Research Associates is $104,932 per year in the United States[3].
- Work Environment
- Legal Research Associates typically work in law firms, corporate legal departments, government agencies, or non-profit organizations. The work can be demanding with tight deadlines, but offers opportunities to gain valuable legal experience.
For those interested in this career path, developing strong research, writing, and analytical skills is crucial. Gaining experience through internships or entry-level positions can help build the expertise needed to advance in this field. With experience, Legal Research Associates may move into more senior research roles or pursue careers as attorneys.
- Legal Research Associates typically work in law firms, corporate legal departments, government agencies, or non-profit organizations. The work can be demanding with tight deadlines, but offers opportunities to gain valuable legal experience.
- Citations:
- Career Outlook and Salary:
[1] https://learn.org/articles/Legal_Research_Assistant_Job_Duties_Career_Outlook_and_Education_Prerequisites.html [2] https://hr.nv.gov/uploadedFiles/hrnvgov/Content/Resources/ClassSpecs/70/07-752spc%281%29.pdf [3] https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/legal-research-associate-salary-SRCH_KO0,24.htm [4] https://www.multiplymii.com/job-description/legal-researcher [5] https://umes.peopleadmin.com/postings/3847 [6] https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/legal-research-assistant-salary-SRCH_KO0,24.htm [7] https://learn.org/articles/Legal_Research_Assistant_Become_a_Legal_Research_Assistant_in_5_Steps.html [8] https://www.zippia.com/legal-research-assistant-jobs/what-does-a-legal-research-assistant-do/