What does a legal researcher do?
Legal researcher responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real legal researcher resumes:
- Create PowerPoint presentation used to train staff on managing copyright and trademark infringement risk.
- Assist in all aspects of discovery including drafting and responding to document requests, interrogatories, requests-for-admission and third party subpoenas.
- Research and complete memos on unsettle questions in Hawaii probate law
- Edit manuscripts submit by outside authors for publication in BNA portfolios on subjects in corporate law.
- Research depositions, interrogatories, exposure assessment literature and medical reports.
- Ensure data integrity while fulfilling request on behalf of company litigation team.
- Research and answer interrogatories and discovery requests for a major automotive corporation.
- Fulfill subpoena research data along with corresponding data in support of litigation efforts.
- Review, analyze and provide customer records documentation relating to third party subpoenas.
- Solicit and edit articles from outside authors while increasing cooperation and content-sharing with other BNA publications.
- Conduct legal research relate with non-profit organizations, testamentary and probate matters, and report to attorney.
- Position focuse on resolving internal and external client inquiries regarding securities transactions relating to share or proceed distribution.
- Conduct extensive research utilizing WestLaw and LexisNexis and summarize case law used for successful litigation to recover ERISA lien.
- Provide consultation in ERISA law.
- Draft ERISA complaints on contractual basis.
Legal researcher skills and personality traits
We calculated that 11% of Legal Researchers are proficient in Litigation, Legal Issues, and In-House Counsel. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Interpersonal skills, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Legal Researchers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Litigation, 11%
Ensured data integrity while fulfilling request on behalf of company litigation team.
- Legal Issues, 8%
Researched legal issues regarding an agricultural resource land conservation program for Pierce County.
- In-House Counsel, 5%
Performed research off-site as a temporary intern and legal researcher under direction of company's in-house counsel.
- Real Estate, 5%
Analyzed complex documents including employment agreements, real estate contracts and corporate transactions.
- Civil Law, 5%
Conducted comparative legal research as well as fact collection for the Deputy Israel Attorney General (Civil Law).
- Legal Memoranda, 4%
Conducted research and drafted legal memoranda on international patent requirements and traditional knowledge for least developed countries.
Common skills that a legal researcher uses to do their job include "litigation," "legal issues," and "in-house counsel." You can find details on the most important legal researcher responsibilities below.
Analytical skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a legal researcher to have is analytical skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "lawyers interpret the law as it applies to their client’s case." Legal researchers often use analytical skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "fulfilled subpoena research data along with corresponding data in support of litigation efforts. "
Interpersonal skills. Another essential skill to perform legal researcher duties is interpersonal skills. Legal researchers responsibilities require that "lawyers must build relationships with current and prospective clients, as well as with their colleagues and other members of the legal community." Legal researchers also use interpersonal skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "established oral argument and public speaking techniques as well as effective interpersonal, written & oral communication skills. "
Problem-solving skills. This is an important skill for legal researchers to perform their duties. For an example of how legal researcher responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "lawyers must evaluate information to propose viable solutions, mediate disputes, and reach agreements or settlements for their clients." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a legal researcher: "collaborate with customers on determining a solution for delinquent accounts. ".
Research skills. legal researcher responsibilities often require "research skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "lawyers need to find laws and regulations that apply to a specific matter in order to provide appropriate legal advice for their clients." This resume example shows what legal researchers do with research skills on a typical day: "conducted comprehensive research on individual banking records and state, federal, and civil sources for criminal and civil litigation. "
The three companies that hire the most legal researchers are:
- Grand Furniture12 legal researchers jobs
- Axiom Global2 legal researchers jobs
- University of Florida2 legal researchers jobs
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Compare different legal researchers
Legal researcher vs. Contract attorney
A contract attorney is responsible for handling their clients' legal issues and settling cases by researching, analyzing, and collecting essential files that would support the clients' claims. Contract attorneys usually work for private clients without being permanently employed in a law firm or government agency. Contract attorneys represent clients at court, assist with law proceedings, and advise clients for the necessary legal procedures. A contract attorney must have excellent communication and critical-thinking skills to manage client legal matters and expertise in traditional disciplines and processes.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, legal researcher responsibilities require skills like "in-house counsel," "civil law," "lexis-nexis," and "legal articles." Meanwhile a typical contract attorney has skills in areas such as "e-discovery," "legal advice," "due diligence," and "privilege logs." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
The education levels that contract attorneys earn slightly differ from legal researchers. In particular, contract attorneys are 2.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a legal researcher. Additionally, they're 31.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Legal researcher vs. Staff attorney
Staff Attorneys are legal employees who work for a variety of organizations, often as full-time employees. They use their legal expertise to help deal with day-to-day legal issues with which their organization needs regular assistance.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real legal researcher resumes. While legal researcher responsibilities can utilize skills like "in-house counsel," "civil law," "lexis-nexis," and "law firm," staff attorneys use skills like "juris," "legal advice," "appeals," and "administrative agencies."
Average education levels between the two professions vary. Staff attorneys tend to reach similar levels of education than legal researchers. In fact, they're 4.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 31.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Legal researcher vs. Attorney
Generally, an attorney's responsibility is to advise the client with an ongoing lawsuit on the legal procedures and provide strategies to resolve the case as early as possible. An attorney compiles necessary documents or any records for appeal and client's defense. Attorneys must acquire strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills to mediate disputes and settle pending litigation for the client's best interest. In some cases, an attorney's procedure depends on any evidence and research presented during the trial period. An attorney is expected to present clients on legal proceedings, seeking justice and justifying the law.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from legal researcher resumes include skills like "in-house counsel," "real estate," "civil law," and "lexis-nexis," whereas an attorney is more likely to list skills in "legal advice," "juris," "appeals," and "real estate transactions. "
When it comes to education, attorneys tend to earn similar degree levels compared to legal researchers. In fact, they're 3.3% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 21.8% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Legal researcher vs. Attorney at law
An Attorney at Law is responsible for preparing and examining contracts involving leases, licenses, purchases, sales, etc. They advise clients concerning business transactions, claim liability, or legal rights and obligations.
Types of legal researcher
Updated January 8, 2025
