Senior Trusts & Estates Tax Paralegal

Overview

This role supports senior attorneys with trust and estates matters, including estate administration, fiduciary tax return preparation, trust funding and administration (post-death), probate administration, and client case management. The position is available in multiple office locations across the United States, with preferred locations of St. Louis, Missouri or Phoenix, Arizona.

Responsibilities

• Assist with estate administration matters, including:
  • Funding post-death irrevocable trusts
  • Preparing documents
  • Preparing probate filings and estate-related tax returns
  • Client case management
• Prepare various tax returns, including:
  • Estate Tax Returns
  • Fiduciary Income Tax Returns
• Maintain financial records for trusts, including:
  • Trust accounting
  • Auditing accounts
• Maintain general ledger accounts, including:
  • Reconciling broker statements
  • Preparing payables and bank deposits
• Obtain and reconcile 1099 and K-1 statements.
• Support irrevocable trust funding and administration (post death).
• Support probate administration, including drafting probate pleadings.
• Maintain close personal contact with clients and financial advisors.
• Meet 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 implement new AI tools (adopting legal AI preferred).
• Maintain attention to detail and produce 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 environment and adapt to changing business demands.
• Ability to produce work efficiently and accurately, with a quality final work product.

Position-Specific Qualifications

• 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 work effectively with little or no supervision and within established time limits and ongoing deadlines.

Compensation & Benefits

Employees are entitled to compensation commensurate with skill and experience.

The exact compensation will vary based on skills, experience, location, and other factors permitted by law. Expected compensation ranges by location are:

• State of California: $88,000 - $180,000
• Cleveland, Ohio: $85,000 - $125,000
• Columbus, Ohio: $82,000 - $121,000
• State of Colorado: $82,000 - $145,000
• State of Connecticut: $70,000 - $178,000
• State of Illinois: $80,000 - $155,000
• State of Maine: $60,000 - $139,000
• State of Maryland: $86,000 - $130,000
• State of Massachusetts: $88,000 - $169,000
• State of Minnesota: $88,000 - $146,000
• Jersey City, NJ: $96,000 - $174,000
• State of New York: $82,000 - $178,000
• State of Virginia: $57,000 - $168,000
• State of Vermont: $87,000 - $168,000
• State of Washington: $86,000 - $164,000
• Washington, DC: $114,000 - $168,000

Location

• Position available in offices across the United States
• Preferred: St. Louis, Missouri or Phoenix, Arizona

Application Requirements

Please include a cover letter and resume when applying.

Additional Information

Reasonable accommodations will be provided as necessary to allow an individual with a disability to apply for and/or perform the essential functions of a position.

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