Paralegal - Trusts & Estates

Husch Blackwell LLP is a full-service litigation and business law firm with multiple locations across the United States, serving clients with domestic and international operations.

At Husch Blackwell we believe that diverse, equitable and inclusive teams lead to better outcomes. Husch Blackwell is committed to retaining, recruiting, developing, and promoting talented lawyers and business professionals with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We foster an engaged, diverse, and inclusive team culture of accountability and purpose that makes our Firm and our communities better.

Our firm is committed to attracting and retaining professionals who value each other and the service we provide by embracing Teamwork, Collaboration, Client Service, and Innovation.  If you are a motivated professional looking for a long-term fit where you can grow in a role, and will be valued and empowered, then we invite you to apply to our Trusts & Estates Paralegal position. This position is open in our virtual office, The Link, or any of our locations.

The paralegal is responsible for a full range of estate planning matters by providing assistance to the Firm’s attorneys and senior paralegals in administering estates, funding revocable and irrevocable trusts, preparing documents, and client case management. Essential functions include:

• Prepare/assist with preparation of Gift Tax Returns, Estate Tax Returns, and Fiduciary Income Tax Returns.
• Maintain financial records of trusts; perform trust accounting; audit accounts.
• Maintain G/L accounts, reconcile broker statements, prepare payables and bank deposits.
• Obtain and reconcile 1099 and K-1 statements.
• Revocable and irrevocable trust funding and administration (pre and post death).
• Probate administration, including drafting of probate pleadings.
• Maintain close personal contact with clients and financial advisors.
• Meet annual billable hour requirement of 1500 hours.
• Learn/develop technical proficiency in database use and management; internet/electronic research; and project folder/electronic file maintenance.
• Independently organize and manage files or delegate similar tasks to Records Clerk and supervise same.
• Maintain professional demeanor and attitude.
• Comply with firm policies.
• Sustain attention to detail and quality of work.
• Ability to deliver superior service to all 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.
• Ability to successfully perform position requirements with excellent organizational, time-management and prioritization skills required.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a team; ability and willingness to adapt to changing business demands.
• Ability to produce acceptable amount of work efficiently and accurately; ability to produce quality final work product.

 POSITION REQUIREMENTS: 

• 5 or more years Trusts & Estates experience preferred.
• 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; excellent time management.
• Corporate and Real Estate experience a plus.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Familiarity with tax and trust accounting software (GEMS, BNA, ProSystems, EVP).
• Experience with document database programs and/or software.
• Significant client case management experience.
• Exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to interact effectively and professionally and provide exceptional service, internally and externally, at all times.
• Highly organized, able to prioritize workflow and manage projects.
• Ability to perform effectively with little or no supervision and within established time limits and on-going deadlines.

COMPENSATION AND 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. The expected compensation ranges for this position in various states and jurisdictions are as follows:

• State of California: $86,000 - $139,000
• State of Colorado: $75,000 - $119,000
• State of Illinois: $64,000 - $125,000
• State of Maryland: $73,000 - $107,000
• State Massachusetts: $85,000 - $130,000
• Sate of Minnesota: $75,000 - $111,000
• Jersey City, NJ: $78,000 - $114,000
• State of New York: $66,000 - $125,000
• State of Washington: $88,000 - $134,000
• Washington, DC: $94,000 - $138,000

The above salaries do not include a discretionary bonus, however bonus opportunities are non-guaranteed, and are dependent upon individual and firm performance. Full-time employees receive benefits including: medical and dental coverage; life insurance; short-term and long-term disability insurance; pre-tax flexible spending account for certain medical and dependent care expenses; an employee assistance program; Paid Time Off; paid holidays; participation in a retirement plan program after meeting eligibility requirements; and more.

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of essential functions, responsibilities, or requirements. The Firm will provide reasonable accommodations as necessary to allow an individual with a disability to apply for and/or perform the essential functions of a position.  Please reach out to our HR team to request an accommodation.

Please include a cover letter and resume when applying.

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

#LI-CP1

Qualifications Behaviors Required Detail Oriented: Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well Education Required Associates or better. Preferred Certification or better. Bachelors or better. Experience Required Trust & Estate Experience Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.