Senior Trusts & Estates Tax Paralegal

Overview

This position supports estate administration and estate/fiduciary tax matters by assisting the firm’s attorneys. The role includes client case management, trust funding and administration (post-death), probate administration support, and preparation of required tax returns.

Open to candidates in any office location, with preferred office locations in St. Louis, Missouri or Phoenix, Arizona.

Responsibilities

• Assist with a full range of estate administration matters, including assisting attorneys with administering estates.
• Support funding of post-death irrevocable trusts.
• Prepare documents, including probate-related materials.
• Prepare probate and file estate-related tax returns.
• Maintain financial records of trusts; perform trust accounting and audit accounts.
• Maintain general ledger (G/L) accounts, reconcile broker statements, and prepare payables and bank deposits.
• Obtain and reconcile 1099 and K-1 statements.
• Support irrevocable trust funding and administration (post-death).
• Assist with probate administration, including drafting of probate pleadings.
• Maintain close personal contact with clients and financial advisors.
• Learn/develop technical proficiency in:
  • database use and management
  • internet/electronic research
  • project folder/electronic file maintenance
• Independently organize and manage files or delegate similar tasks to appropriate business professionals and supervise those tasks.
• Meet annual billable hour requirement of 1600 hours per year.
• Familiarity and experience with adopting legal AI; ability to learn and implement new AI preferred.
• Sustain attention to detail and quality of work.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Ability to deliver superior service to internal and external customers and communicate effectively.
• Ability to interact in a professional and courteous manner with clients and employees at all times; professional appearance required.
• Strong organizational, time-management, and prioritization skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a team and adapt to changing business demands.
• Ability to produce work efficiently and accurately and deliver quality final work product.
• 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.

Position-Specific Qualifications

• 8+ years of progressively responsible experience in Trusts & Estates, including complex estate and trust administration, as well as estate and fiduciary tax matters.
• Two-year degree required. Bachelor’s degree or Paralegal Certificate from 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 demonstrate excellent time management.

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 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 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

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

Location

• This position is open in any office location.
• Preferred locations: St. Louis, Missouri or Phoenix, Arizona.

Application Requirements

Cover letter and resume are required.

Equal Opportunity

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