Senior Trusts & Estates Tax Paralegal

Overview

This position supports estate administration and fiduciary tax work by assisting attorneys in administering estates and trusts and managing client case activities. The role is available in multiple office locations, with preference for location in St. Louis, Missouri or Phoenix, Arizona.

Responsibilities

• Assist with a full range of estate administration matters, including supporting attorneys with:
  • Funding post-death irrevocable trusts
  • Preparing required documents
  • Preparing probate documents and filing estate-related tax returns
  • Client case management
• Prepare tax returns, including:
  • Estate Tax Returns
  • Fiduciary Income Tax Returns
• Maintain financial records of trusts, including:
  • Trust accounting
  • Auditing trust accounts
• Maintain general ledger (G/L) accounts, including:
  • Reconciling broker statements
  • Preparing payables and bank deposits
• Obtain and reconcile IRS Forms 1099 and K-1 statements
• Support irrevocable trust funding and administration (post death)
• Probate administration, including drafting probate pleadings
• Maintain close personal contact with clients and financial advisors
• Meet an annual billable hour requirement of 1600 hours
• Develop technical proficiency in:
  • Database use and management
  • Internet/electronic research
  • Project folder and electronic file maintenance
• Independently organize and manage files or delegate similar tasks to appropriate business professionals and supervise as needed
• Learn and adopt legal AI tools; ability to learn and implement new AI is preferred
• Sustain attention to detail and consistently deliver quality work
• Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements

• Ability to deliver superior service to internal and external customers and communicate effectively
• Ability to interact professionally and courteously with clients and employees at all times (professional appearance required)
• Strong organizational, time-management, and prioritization skills
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team and adapt to changing business demands
• Ability to produce an acceptable amount of work efficiently and accurately, with a high-quality final work product

Position-Specific Requirements

• 8+ years of progressively responsible experience in Trusts & Estates, including complex estate and trust administration and estate and fiduciary tax matters
• Two-year degree required
  • Bachelor’s degree or Paralegal Certificate from an ABA approved program preferred
  • Significant, substantive related experience may be considered in lieu of formal education
• Excellent communication, analytical, and organizational skills
• Proven success working in a fast-paced, continually changing environment
• Ability to prioritize and manage time effectively
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications
• Familiarity with tax and trust accounting software
• Experience with document database programs and/or software
• Significant client case management experience
• Exceptional attention to detail
• Ability to perform effectively with little or no supervision and within established time limits and ongoing deadlines

Compensation & Benefits

Compensation is commensurate with skill and experience. The exact compensation will vary based on skills, experience, location, and other factors permitted by law.

Expected compensation ranges:

• State of California: $86,000 - $139,000
• State of Colorado: $75,000 - $119,000
• State of Connecticut: $70,000 - $178,000
• State of Illinois: $64,000 - $125,000
• State of Maine: $60,000 - $139,000
• State of Maryland: $73,000 - $107,000
• State of Massachusetts: $85,000 - $130,000
• State of Minnesota: $75,000 - $111,000
• Jersey City, NJ: $78,000 - $114,000
• State of New York: $66,000 - $125,000
• State of Virginia: $57,000 - $168,000
• State of Vermont: $87,000 - $168,000
• State of Washington: $88,000 - $134,000
• Washington, DC: $94,000 - $138,000

Location

Open in multiple office locations; location in St. Louis, Missouri or Phoenix, Arizona is preferred.

Equal Opportunity

EOE/Minority/Female/Disabled/Vet. Principal Applicants Only.

Application

Cover letter and resume are required when applying.

Accessibility

The employer will provide reasonable accommodations as necessary to allow an individual with a disability to apply for and/or perform the essential functions of a position.