Data Solutions Engineer

We are a Firm where people truly believe in what they do and strive to achieve the highest standards of performance and success.

This position may be based in either the firm’s global operations center in the Tampa Bay area or our Dallas office.

General Description:

The Data Solutions Engineer supports the development and management of the Firm’s data warehouse / lakehouse, data analytics platforms, and related processes. This role contributes to the implementation and on-going support of the firm’s cloud data systems and analytics tools and processes.

The Engineer works with technology, knowledge, business services, and practice teams to discover the firm’s key operational data, assess intelligence and analytics needs, develop and communicate plans for data lake and analytics platform implementation, execute technical implementation of data platforms, and provide ongoing service, support, and planning for continued enhancements and user engagement. This role within our Data Strategy function partners closely with the Information Technology department and data and intelligence solutions teams in the development and delivery of the firm’s data platforms. This role contributes to digital transformation programs, provides technical and business process support, and serves as a contact for internal resources, such as the Information Technology department, as well as external resources including vendors and consultants.

Key Responsibilities and Essential Job Functions:

• Support the design, development, and maintenance of data platforms.
• Configure and maintain data warehouse / lakehouse and related code base and schemas for the firm, including integrations with Finance, HR, Marketing, and other firm-related database applications.
• Develop, document, and maintain key data integration processes in support of projects and ongoing services.
• Provide data integration services in support of local and hosted environments for enterprise applications including the use of APIs and other connection methods.
• Design, implement and maintain scalable and reliable data pipelines, data quality and transformation processes, and databases to support a variety of data and analytics needs.
• Design and implement scalable and secure data processing pipelines using Azure Data Factory, Azure Databricks, and other Azure services.
• Manage and optimize data storage using Azure Data Lake Storage and Azure SQL Data Warehouse.
• Develop data models and maintain data architecture to support data analytics and business intelligence reporting.
• Ensure data quality and consistency through data cleaning, transformation, and integration processes.
• Proactive monitoring and troubleshooting data-related issues within the Azure environment to maintain high availability and performance.
• Collaborate with data scientists, business analysts, and other stakeholders to understand data requirements and implement appropriate data solutions.
• Implement data security measures, including encryption, access controls, and auditing, to protect sensitive information.
• Automate data pipelines and workflows to streamline data ingestion, processing, and distribution tasks.
• Support the appropriate sourcing, evaluation, selection, and utilization of data engineering tools, particularly emerging artificial intelligence-enabled products.
• Support the custom development and implementation of proprietary Machine Learning, LLM and AI enabled products, including the selection and engagement of solutions partners, development of grounding, RAG, vectorizing, and related technical protocols and procedures.
• Support to use-case evaluation and product design and implementation.
• Optimize data processing systems to enhance performance, improve reliability and optimize cost.
• Participate in cross-functional relationships with software engineers, solutions engineers, and other business stakeholders to collaboratively create solutions, development standards, and support business processes.
• Partner with the broader Data Strategy team in the development and maintenance of a comprehensive and up-to-date data catalog by overseeing the capture of end-to-end data flows and the creation of source-to-target documentation, ensuring a detailed and accessible repository that enhances data understanding and transparency across the organization.
• Support a culture of excellence in data transformations and clear schema design, ensuring alignment with operational and analytical business requirements.
• Ensure our data architecture is secure and compliant per company policies and industry standards. Support information and data governance roles in applying appropriate firm policies.
• Collaborate among a team of data engineers and liaise closely with data solutions analysts and database administrators with a strong focus on high-quality solution delivery and team culture.
• Partner with IT staff, vendors, and other third parties to address system-level technical issues, manage internal and external integrations, and implement upgrades and enhancements.
• Support data and intelligence solutions teams as we establish COE and best practices for analytics and data dashboard and application design and development.
• Develop standard metrics reporting and analyze trends to measure the quality and quantity of data maintained within the data platform.
• Contribute to standard configuration documentation and related guides for data consumers. Collaborate to design end-user training, onboarding, and user adoption programs and communications.
• Special projects and duties as assigned.

Required Skills:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Excellent organizational, teamwork, customer service and critical thinking skills required.

Required Qualifications & Education:

• Bachelor's degree in relevant field.
• 5+ years’ experience in a law firm, corporate legal department, or professional services environment, particularly within an innovation or KM function.
• 5+ years’ of direct experience in data management activities such as building data pipelines and database administration, data engineering, data sciences, and database administration.
• Excellent proficiency in business intelligence, data warehousing, application development, and data visualization.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of the legal technology landscape, including trends, tools, and industry standards.
• Extensive experience working with legal technology, workflow systems, legal project management, and practice management tools.
• Deep understanding of law firm structure and business practices, as well as practice-specific terminology.
• Experience working with a broad array of legal practices including transactional, litigation, and regulatory.
• Expert level of knowledge in SQL Server using the full Microsoft SQL Server stack including Management Studio (SSMS), SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS), SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS), SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS) and PowerShell
• Expert knowledge in scalable and secure data processing pipelines using Azure Data Factory, Azure Databricks, and other Azure services.
• Expert knowledge in managing and optimizing data storage using Azure Data Lake Storage and Azure SQL Data Warehouse.
• Experience with, and willingness to learn more about, emerging Microsoft OneLake, Fabric, Power and related concepts and applications.
• In-depth knowledge of database systems, data warehousing concepts and data modeling techniques. Extensive experience with data management, process, and data system design in a legal or professional services firm
• Strong proficiency in programming languages such as Python and data processing framework such as Airflow.
• Proficiency with .NET and comparable developer tools.
• Exceptional proficiency working with MS Office and Power platform especially for analyzing and communicating data-related concepts.
• Experience in leveraging automation and AI-related technologies, such as Machine Learning and LLMs, to drive innovation in legal services.
• Proficiency with cybersecurity best practices and compliance requirements in the legal industry and for clients such as financial and governmental institutions
• Ability to develop effective and collaborative relationships among business teams, lawyers, firm administrative departments, and vendors.
• Demonstrated ability to support multiple complex assignments with competing deadlines and priorities.
• Experience supporting projects from inception through planning, execution, and delivery phases.

Preferred Qualifications & Education:

• Master’s or related coursework strongly preferred.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods of time.
• Moderate or advanced keyboard usage

Benefits: Our goal is to promote a work environment in which individuals have access to the resources they need to be their best both professionally and personally, which includes resources that encourage individuals to focus on their health and well-being.

Below are the benefits we offer: comprehensive medical (PPO and HDHPs), dental and vision plans including coverage for domestic partners; life and AD&D insurance; short and long term disability insurance; tax-advantaged accounts for health care expenses, including FSAs and HSAs; FSAs for dependent care; health advocacy services; behavioral health and counseling resources for all family members; 401(k); profit sharing; backup dependent care; senior care planning support; resources for individuals with development disabilities and their caregivers; and paid holidays and other paid time off, including paid leave for new parents.

Holland & Knight is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related conditions, transgender status, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status or any other factor prohibited by law.

Applicants who are interested in applying for a position and require an accommodation during the process should contact ApplicantAccommodations@hklaw.com.

Personal Information collected from applicants will be used for the purpose of processing the application throughout any recruitment or employment process, as well as inclusion in a personnel file. Categories of data collected may include name, address, phone numbers, email, Social Security Number, and signature. Holland & Knight may collect further information if you consent to a background check. This includes criminal background, employment, and certifications. Please visit Legal Information Portal for Holland & Knight LLP’s privacy policies.