The Litigation Paralegal performs daily case management and other related tasks under the supervision of attorneys.
Job Duties
The following are essential job duties and responsibilities of a Paralegal - Litigation. The list is not exhaustive, and other duties may be assigned as necessary.
- Writes or drafts correspondence, reports, documents and/or other written materials.
- Maintains document control, tracking and tracing; reviews case files and/or digests trial folders, etc.
- Searches, retrieves and/or researches public and private records in accordance with applicable state and federal laws governing access to these records.
- Prepares trial or hearing materials including designing questionnaires, organizing evidence, preparing trial displays and exhibits, locating, obtaining, tracking and disseminating information/evidence, etc.
- Handles the preparation and/or filing of pleadings, court papers, forms, etc.
- Other tasks as assigned.
Requirements
Education: Bachelor's Degree. In lieu of a degree, 3-5 years of relevant experience.
Experience: 2+ years of experience in the field.
Knowledge/Skills and Abilities:
- Good writing and communication skills
- The ability to prioritize and work under a tight schedule
- In-depth knowledge of legal terminology and principles
- Knowledge of formats for a variety of legal documents
- Knowledge of Uniform System of Citation
- Knowledge of Concordance or similar software
- Ability to speak clearly and articulately
- Ability to exercise discretion
The target base pay range for this role in New York is $70,000-$85,000 and is dependent on experience and other relevant factors, including geography.
Salary Range: $80,000 - $135,000/yr dependent on experience and location
Summary
The Paralegal’s primary responsibility is to administer decedents’ estates, establish and monitor conservatorships and trusts, file petitions and accompanying documents with Probate Court, locate assets and debts. The Paralegal gathers and reviews documents to settle the estate and assists in the preparation of all tax returns and the final accounting. This position often maintains contact with family and beneficiaries.
Additional Job Duties
The following are essential job duties and responsibilities of a Paralegal – Estate Administration. The list is not exhaustive, and other duties may be assigned as necessary.
- Facilitates all aspects of trust and estate administration including:
- Maintaining checkbook and banking records.
- Pays bills.
- Computing and disbursing beneficiary distributions.
- Computing and payment of executor and trustee commissions.
- Prepares formal and informal estate and trust accountings.
- Documents assets and arranges for valuation as necessary.
- Prepares estate, trust and gift tax returns.
- Reads and interprets wills and trust instruments; prepares and files all documents required to probate wills; prepares receipt and release agreements, disclaimers, affidavits, accounting petitions; handles issuance and revocation of letters and other miscellaneous proceedings, including preparation of petitions and overseeing service on interested parties.
- Drafts standard estate planning forms and other legal documents (power of attorney, wills, court petitions, resignations, etc.).
- Handles special projects or additional responsibilities as assigned.
- Updates and organizes electronic and physical files for easy access.
Requirements
Education: Bachelor's Degree in accounting or finance.
Experience: Trust administration experience and tax preparation experience.
Knowledge/Skills and Abilities:
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Analytical, numerically astute with strong demonstrated problem-solving and reporting abilities.
- Ability to work well under pressure and handle emergency situations.
- Ability to meet strict deadlines and attend to multiple tasks at one time.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Strong interpersonal skills in order to communicate with a diverse group of attorneys, staff and clients.
- Ability to exercise discretion.
- Ability to work both independently and in a team environment.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office with emphasis on WORD and Excel skills required.
- Familiarity with fiduciary accounting software preferred.
- Ability to be in the office on a daily basis, working a full day.
- Ability to sit for extended periods of time.
- Ability to keyboard for extended periods of time.
- Handles material and supplies up to 35 lbs. of weight.
- Ability to deal with stress due to workload pressures.
Salary Range: $80,000 - $135,000/yr dependent on experience and location
Summary
The Paralegal’s primary responsibility is to administer decedents’ estates, establish and monitor conservatorships and trusts, file petitions and accompanying documents with Probate Court, locate assets and debts. The Paralegal gathers and reviews documents to settle the estate and assists in the preparation of all tax returns and the final accounting. This position often maintains contact with family and beneficiaries.
Job Duties
The following are essential job duties and responsibilities of a Paralegal – Estate Planning. The list is not exhaustive, and other duties may be assigned as necessary.
- Facilitates all aspects of estate planning including:
- Collecting and securely storing sensitive client-related data in the document management system.
- Drafting wills, revocable trusts, irrevocable trusts, estate plan flow charts and explanatory memoranda.
- Facilitating the preparation of deed transfers, beneficiary designations, transfer of insurance policies, and tracking and preparing Crummey withdrawal notices.
- Acting as point-person for client communication in lieu of attorney and ensuring timely production of deliverables.
- Prepares gift tax returns, extension requests, and oversees circulation of the same for signature and filing.
- Utilizes and keeps on top of legal project management software.
- Oversees the quality control of template documents, assignments, and the execution of prepared documents.
- Reads and interprets wills and trust instruments.
- Updates and organizes electronic and physical files for easy access.
- Handles special projects or additional responsibilities as assigned.
Requirements
Education: Bachelor's Degree or relevant experience.
Experience: 3-5+ years of estate planning experience.
Knowledge/Skills and Abilities:
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Analytical, with strong demonstrated problem-solving and reporting abilities.
- Ability to work well under pressure and handle emergency situations.
- Ability to meet strict deadlines and attend to multiple tasks at one time.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Strong interpersonal skills in order to communicate with a diverse group of attorneys, staff and clients.
- Ability to exercise discretion.
- Ability to work both independently and in a team environment.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office with emphasis on WORD and Excel skills required.
- Familiarity with fiduciary accounting software preferred.
Essential Demands of the Role:
- Flexibility to work overtime as needed.
- Ability to travel to other office locations on occasion.
- Prolonged periods sitting at a desk or standing; using computer equipment.
Our Private Client Services department is looking for a detail-oriented person who is knowledgeable on all phases of estate administration. This position will manage trust accounts and assist with preparation of fiduciary accountings and income tax returns. The ideal candidate will have exceptional client service and outstanding communication skills, both oral and written, 5+ years of trust administration and tax preparation experience along with a bachelor’s degree and strong Excel skills is required. Please include a cover letter and resume.
It is the policy of Wiggin and Dana to provide equal opportunity in employment to qualified individuals in accordance with applicable law based on age, ancestry, color, genetic information, learning disability, marital, civil union, or pregnancy status, past or present history of mental disability, intellectual disability, national origin, physical disability, race, religious creed, transgender status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other protected status. This commitment extends to all employment decisions, including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, promotion, training, compensation, discipline and discharge, and to all terms, benefits, privileges and conditions of employment.
If you have any questions or problems while submitting your application, please contact Thank you again for your interest in Wiggin and Dana LLP.
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