Role overview
The legal market is undergoing a period of hyper-change, driving opportunities for innovative thinking and hybrid careers. The Client Operations & Legal Project Management team thrives on these changes, residing at the intersection of process improvement, technology, data storytelling, client service, and legal practice. Our mission is to strengthen client relationships and optimize the delivery of legal services by developing innovative tools and processes that drive efficiency and meet our clients' evolving priorities.
The role of the Data Scientist is to provide actionable insights through advanced data analysis, AI impact assessment, historical data review, and a sophisticated reporting suite. This involves leveraging data science methodologies to analyze data, identify trends, optimize matter management, and support decision-making. A key aspect of the Data Scientist’s role is to use their expertise to influence outcomes, drive process improvement, and support innovation through data-driven storytelling and technology adoption.
Responsibilities
- Develop, maintain, and enhance a portfolio of data resources and dashboards that help leadership, lawyers and clients understand the cost and scope of legal work.
- Translate data-driven insights into recommendations that support business strategies and objectives.
- Address business challenges through the development of algorithms, analytical models, AI and/or machine learning using data from various firm sources
- Apply statistical techniques to identify trends, patterns, and relationships within the data.
- Develop predictive models using machine learning algorithms to classify information.
- Transform data-driven insights into clear, actionable recommendations that align with business strategies and objectives. Effectively communicate these findings to stakeholders using visually compelling charts, graphs, and dashboards.
- Lead data analysis initiatives, collaborating with managers, senior analysts and the LPM Infrastructure team.
- Proactively seek opportunities to pilot new data-driven solutions and improve reporting processes.
- Able to maintain strict confidentiality of the firm's internal and personnel affairs and client information. Understands the ethics of the position, including rules of legal ethics in regards to confidentiality, billing, and client representation and advocacy.
- Able to build relationships, influence, and foster a collaborative approach with internal clients across practice groups and with all departments and levels of the organization.
- Can effectively convey data-driven solutions to stakeholders, explaining results within a legal project management framework and achieving buy-in from legal teams.
- Able to effectively work in a multi-office environment and a culturally and educationally diverse environment.
- Must be flexible to meet the demands of working at a global law firm and available for travel.
- Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, J.D. or MBA preferred.
- At least 5-7 years of experience working in a law firm, corporate legal department, financial institution, or other large complex organization is required; law firm experience is preferred.
- Familiarity with legal data (e.g., timekeeping, matters, filings)
- Technical skills to include Python, SQL, and data visualization tools (MicroStrategy, Tableau, Power BI); Machine learning, statistics, and data modeling; NLP / LLM experience
- Exceptional client service orientation with financial acumen and demonstrated experience in data analysis, AI impact assessment, and creative problem-solving.
- Demonstrated experience in leading teams and creative problem-solving.
About the company
Ropes & Gray is a preeminent global law firm. The firm has been ranked in the top three on The American Lawyer's prestigious A-List for eight consecutive years and #1 on Law.com's UK A-List twice in the past three years - rankings that honor the "best of the best" law firms.
The firm has approximately 2,500 lawyers and professionals serving clients in major centers of business, finance, technology, and government in Boston, Chicago, Dublin, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, Milan, New York, Paris, San Francisco, Seoul, Shanghai, Silicon Valley, Singapore, Tokyo and Washington, D.C.
The firm has consistently been recognized for its leading practices in many areas, including asset management, private equity, M&A, finance, real estate, tax, antitrust, life sciences, health care, intellectual property, litigation & enforcement, privacy & cybersecurity, and business restructuring.
Ropes & Gray is an equal opportunity employer.