Research Librarian

Description

The Research Librarian will work as part of the Library & Information Services (LIS) team, a well-respected unit of the wider Innovation function. LIS are responsible for providing a business and legal enquiry service to Europe, Middle East, and Asia (EMEA) offices in the Reed Smith network.

This role will provide experience of a variety of library/information tasks, with a focus on research within a busy legal setting. The successful candidate will have the support of a team of extremely warm and welcoming, experienced information professionals. The first few months in this role will be highly structured and geared towards providing a grounding in tasks such as legal research, the provision of training, library and resource management and engaging with key stakeholder groups and lawyers. It is a role that would be suited to someone with a Library/Information qualification that would like to forge a career in the legal sector.

The Firm

Reed Smith is a global law firm with more than 1,700 lawyers in 30 offices throughout Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the United States.

Operating as one global partnership, we represent leading international businesses from FTSE 100 corporations to mid-market and emerging enterprises; advising clients on cross border transactions, international commercial disputes and regulation. We specialise in industries including financial services, life sciences, health care, energy and natural resources, entertainment and media, shipping and real estate.

We all share a common culture, with core values supporting the firm’s commitment to add value, achieve excellence, and promote professional development. London is our largest office with approximately 700 people, including over 350 fee earners across the full range of commercial practice areas. Consistent with the firm’s strategy, the office has grown significantly over the past five years. Key to this growth has been our ability to successfully integrate new hires into our business and give them a platform to flourish. We place a huge significance on listening to our people and incorporating their ideas wherever possible.

Responsibilities

• Legal and business research using a wide variety of resources and tools
• Support the creation of current awareness to enable our lawyers and business services teams best understand the legal environment, our clients and the industries in which our clients operate
• Have an awareness of the current legal and business climate, particularly as it affects our clients, and the geographic areas served by the firm
• Train trainees, lawyers and business services staff in the use of new products and services - using technology to deliver this training where appropriate
• Contribute to database development and vendor relations by attending vendor meetings and responding to calls for insight from other team members
• Maintain and update own database searching skills
• Co-ordinate library technology projects
• Act as a LIS ambassador and champion by attending practice group meetings
• Collaborate with other members of the LIS team globally
• Periodic travel to other Reed Smith offices
• Miscellaneous duties and projects as required.

Key Skills, Attributes and Experience

• CILIP accredited qualification or equivalent
• One to three years of experience working within a legal or commercial environment
• Ability to multi‑task and work in a fast‑paced environment
• Works with a strong attention to detail and accuracy
• Commitment to excellent client service
• Ability to work co-operatively with colleagues
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Effective time management
• Technically confident, with knowledge of and experience with Internet and Intranet applications, and the MS suite of tools
• Technically curious, with the ability to learn new tasks, processes and systems quickly, and the ability to apply this in a work situation
• Participation in professional development activities
• Enthusiasm for firm-wide initiatives, including volunteering and pro bono projects
• Self-confident, proactive, pragmatic approach to tasks and projects, with the ability to take the initiative to drive projects to completion
• Highly enthusiastic and self-motivated
• Ability to interact and build relationships with people at all levels.

At Reed Smith, we welcome direct applications either in response to one of our advertised vacancies or on a speculative basis. Please click on the “Apply Now” button to submit your details and we will be in touch.

No search firms/agencies please.

Reed Smith's success depends heavily on the effective utilization of qualified people, regardless of their race, ancestry, religion, colour, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, disability, veteran's status, or any characteristic protected by law. As a firm, we adhere to and promote equal employment opportunity for all.

We are committed to making all stages of our recruitment process accessible to candidates with disabilities or long-term health conditions. If you have a disability or a long-term health condition and require adjustments to be made for you within the recruitment process, please contact a member of the Recruitment team. For more information on our approach to diversity and inclusion please visit our website .