Legal Research Director (Houston)

We are seeking a legal research professional to join our team as a Legal Research Director. This is a high-impact, behind-the-scenes role that directly powers the most elite legal recruiting operation in the market.

You will be responsible for building, classifying, and refining attorney candidate lists across top practice areas for the most prestigious law firms in the world. Working alongside our senior recruiters and leveraging cutting-edge AI-powered research systems, you will transform raw legal market data into actionable intelligence that drives placements. Your research will span key legal markets including NYC, Houston, Dallas, DC, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, and Miami.

This role is the engine behind our growth — if you love going deep on data, understanding the nuances of legal practice areas, and helping design and build systems that make experts more effective, this is your opportunity.

●

: Build comprehensive candidate lists across multiple practice areas by researching attorney backgrounds, deal sheets, and firm rosters. ●

: Categorize and score attorneys by sub-practice area expertise (e.g., M&A, fund formation, capital markets, debt finance, HSR/antitrust, digital infrastructure, litigation) based on their experience, deal history, and firm positioning. ●

: Operate and refine our AI-powered research and classification tools to accelerate candidate identification and scoring. You'll be the bridge between our technology and our senior recruiters' judgment. ●

: Track lateral moves, firm news, practice group changes, and market trends to keep our intelligence current and actionable. ●

: Deliver research-ready candidate lists to senior recruiters for final review, ensuring quality and completeness that meets our clients' exacting standards. ●

: Maintain and enrich our candidate database with accurate, up-to-date information on attorney backgrounds and practice area expertise. ●

: Identify patterns and opportunities to improve research workflows, AI prompt effectiveness, and classification accuracy over time.

●

: You must have working knowledge of the AmLaw landscape, BigLaw firm structures, and the ability to distinguish between legal practice areas and sub-specialties. ●

: 2-5 years in a BigLaw environment, legal recruiting firm, or legal research role. This could include work as a paralegal, legal recruiting coordinator, research analyst at a law firm, business development/competitive intelligence role, or junior associate who wants a different path. ●

: You can look at an attorney's background and understand what they actually do. You know the difference between a fund formation lawyer and an M&A lawyer. You understand how practice groups are structured at major firms. ●

: Comfort with AI tools, data platforms, and automation. You don't need to be an engineer — but you should be excited about using technology to work smarter and faster. ●

: You're the kind of person who goes three clicks deeper than everyone else. You notice what others miss. You find patterns in data.

● : Senior recruiters trust your lists and need minimal revisions before presenting to clients. ● : Research that used to take days is delivered in hours. ● : You develop an instinct for which attorneys are true fits —not just keyword matches, but substantive practice area alignment. ● : Our AI tools and research processes measurably improvebecause of your input and feedback.

& ● : Competitive base salary commensurate with experience. ● : Potential year end bonus tied to search throughput and quality. ● : This role is a launchpad. As you develop deeper expertise, there is a clear path to building and leading the data and research arm of the firm — owning the systems, strategy, and team that power our market intelligence.

& To succeed at Affirm Partners, you must embody our core values: ● : Intellectual curiosity, attention to detail, analytical thinking, problem-solving, high-velocity execution, and a culture of innovation. ● : Having difficult conversations, playing big, and taking massive action. ● : Going the extra mile, exhibiting professionalism, having fun, and loving our jobs. ● : Responsiveness, a client-first mindset, and being open and honest. ● : Humility, respect, collegiality, honesty, and doing what you say. ● : Energy, internal drive, proactiveness, GSD (Get Stuff Done), hunger forachievement, rolling up your sleeves, and enthusiasm.

:

,

This is a

position with occasional in-person meetings in Houston, TX. It is a fast-paced environment suited for individuals who are self-disciplined and ambitious.