Senior Trusts & Estates Tax Paralegal

Overview

This position supports estate administration and fiduciary tax work by assisting attorneys with trust and estate matters, preparing documents, and managing client cases. Location is flexible across the organization’s offices, with preference for St. Louis, Missouri or Phoenix, Arizona.

Responsibilities

• Assist with a full range of estate administration matters, including supporting attorneys in:
  • Administering estates
  • Funding post-death irrevocable trusts
  • Preparing probate-related documents
  • Preparing and filing estate-related tax returns
  • Providing 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 1099 and K-1 statements
• Support irrevocable trust funding and administration (post-death)
• Support probate administration, including drafting probate pleadings
• Maintain close contact with clients and financial advisors
• Maintain technical proficiency in:
  • Database use and management
  • Internet/electronic research
  • Project folder/electronic file maintenance
• Independently organize and manage files or delegate similar tasks and supervise work as needed
• Learn and develop proficiency with legal AI; familiarity and ability to learn and implement new AI preferred
• Maintain attention to detail and quality of work
• Perform other duties as assigned

Essential Job Functions

• Meet an annual billable hour requirement of 1600 hours

Requirements

• Ability to deliver superior service to internal and external customers
• Ability to 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 accurate work efficiently and maintain quality final deliverables

Position-Specific Requirements

• 8+ years of progressively responsible experience in Trusts & Estates, including:
  • Complex estate and trust administration
  • 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 with excellent time management
• 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

Compensation is commensurate with skill and experience. Exact compensation will vary based on skills, experience, location, and other factors permitted by law. Expected compensation ranges by location/jurisdiction include:

• 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 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

The information above describes general job content and requirements and is not exhaustive. Reasonable accommodations will be provided as necessary to allow an individual with a disability to apply for and/or perform essential functions.

Location

Open in any office location; St. Louis, Missouri or Phoenix, Arizona preferred.

Application Requirements

Please include a cover letter and resume when applying.

Equal Opportunity

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