Senior Trusts & Estates Tax Paralegal

Overview

This position supports estate administration and fiduciary tax matters by assisting attorneys and managing client case work. The role is available in multiple office locations across the United States, with preferred locations in St. Louis, Missouri or Phoenix, Arizona.

Responsibilities

• Provide assistance with a full range of estate administration matters, including administering estates, funding post-death irrevocable trusts, preparing documents, and preparing probate and estate-related tax returns.
• Manage client cases by coordinating tasks and maintaining client communication.
• Prepare various tax returns, including:
  • Estate Tax Returns
  • Fiduciary Income Tax Returns
• Maintain financial records for trusts, including trust accounting, account audits, and ongoing reconciliation.
• Maintain general ledger (G/L) accounts and reconcile broker statements.
• Prepare payables and bank deposits.
• Obtain and reconcile 1099 and K-1 statements.
• Support irrevocable trust funding and administration (post death).
• Perform 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 tools and processes, including:
  • 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 those tasks.
• Maintain attention to detail and consistently deliver quality work.
• Learn and implement new AI tools; familiarity with adopting legal AI is preferred.
• 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.
• Excellent organizational, time-management, and prioritization skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team and adapt to changing business demands.
• Ability to produce work efficiently and accurately with a high-quality final 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.
• Strong prioritization and 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 perform effectively with little or no supervision and within established time limits and on-going deadlines.
• Highly organized with the ability to prioritize workflow and manage projects.

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 state/jurisdiction):

• 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

Open in multiple office locations across the United States. Location in St. Louis, Missouri or Phoenix, Arizona is preferred.

Application Materials

Please include a cover letter and resume when applying.

Equal Opportunity Statement

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