Senior Trusts & Estates Tax Paralegal

Overview

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

Responsibilities

• Assist with estate administration by preparing documents and managing key post-death administration tasks.
• Help administer and fund post-death irrevocable trusts, including related documentation.
• Prepare probate and probate-related filings, including drafting of probate pleadings.
• Prepare tax returns, including:
  • Estate Tax Returns
  • Fiduciary Income Tax Returns
• Maintain financial and accounting records for trusts, including trust accounting and audit support.
• Maintain general ledger accounts; reconcile broker statements; prepare payables and bank deposits.
• Obtain and reconcile 1099 and K-1 statements.
• Maintain close contact with clients and financial advisors.
• Develop and 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 to appropriate business professionals and supervise their work.
• Apply legal AI tools and learn/implement new AI capabilities as preferred.
• Meet annual billable hour requirement of 1600 hours.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• 8+ years of progressively responsible experience in Trusts & Estates, including complex estate and trust administration and estate/fiduciary tax matters.
• 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 fast-paced, continually changing environment and adapt as business demands shift.
• Ability to produce work efficiently and accurately, with high-quality final outputs.
• 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.
• Ability to prioritize and manage workflow/projects.
• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

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

Compensation & Benefits

Compensation is commensurate with skill and experience. The exact compensation varies by skills, experience, location, and other factors permitted by law. Expected compensation ranges by location/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 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

Available in office locations across the United States, with preferred location in St. Louis, Missouri or Phoenix, Arizona.

Application Requirements

Please include a cover letter and resume when applying.

Equal Opportunity

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

Notice

This description is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job and is not an exhaustive statement of essential functions, responsibilities, or requirements. Reasonable accommodations will be provided as necessary for applicants to apply for and/or perform essential functions of a position.