Senior Trusts & Estates Tax Paralegal

Overview

This role supports estate administration and trusts & estates tax matters by assisting attorneys with administering estates, funding post-death irrevocable trusts, preparing documents, and handling probate and estate-related tax return filings.

A preferred location is either St. Louis, Missouri or Phoenix, Arizona, with the position available in other office locations.

Responsibilities

• Prepare estate-related tax returns, including Estate Tax Returns and Fiduciary Income Tax Returns.
• Maintain financial records of trusts, perform trust accounting, and audit accounts.
• Maintain general ledger (G/L) accounts; reconcile broker statements; prepare 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 an annual billable hour requirement of 1600 hours.
• Build 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 as needed.
• Learn and adopt legal AI as needed; ability to learn and implement new AI is preferred.
• Maintain attention to detail and ensure work quality.
• 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 environment and adapt to changing business demands.
• Ability to produce efficient, accurate work and deliver quality final work products.
• Ability to perform effectively with little or no supervision and within established time limits and ongoing deadlines.

Position-Specific Requirements

• 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 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.
• Highly organized, able to prioritize workflow and manage projects.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with adopting legal AI and ability to learn and implement new AI.

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/jurisdiction:

• 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 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 the organization’s offices across the United States; St. Louis, Missouri or Phoenix, Arizona is preferred.

Application Requirements

Cover letter and resume required.

Equal Opportunity Statement

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