Senior Trusts & Estates Tax Paralegal

Overview

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

Responsibilities

• Assist with estate administration matters, including:
  • Funding post-death irrevocable trusts
  • Preparing probate-related documents and drafting probate pleadings
  • Preparing and filing estate-related tax returns
  • Supporting client case management
• Prepare various tax returns, including:
  • Estate Tax Returns
  • Fiduciary Income Tax Returns
• Maintain financial records of trusts, including:
  • Trust accounting
  • Auditing accounts
• Maintain general ledger (G/L) accounts, including:
  • Reconciling broker statements
  • Preparing payables and bank deposits
• Obtain and reconcile 1099 and K-1 statements
• Perform irrevocable trust funding and administration (post death)
• Maintain close personal contact with clients and financial advisors
• Meet an annual billable hour requirement of 1600 hours
• Develop technical proficiency in:
  • Database use and management
  • Internet/electronic research
  • Project folder and electronic file maintenance
• Independently organize and manage files, or delegate similar tasks and supervise completion
• Support work involving legal AI adoption and learning/implementation of new AI tools (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 acceptable work efficiently and accurately with quality final work product

Position-Specific Requirements

• 8+ years of progressively responsible experience in Trusts & Estates, including complex estate and trust administration and estate/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
• 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 will vary based on skills, experience, location, and other factors permitted by law.

Expected compensation ranges:

• 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 to offices across the United States. Preferred locations: St. Louis, Missouri or Phoenix, Arizona.

Application Requirements

Please include a cover letter and resume when applying.

Equal Opportunity Statement

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