What are the responsibilities and job description for the Sr. Paralegal (Estate Planning and Trust) position at Direct Counsel?
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
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Research and analyze legal sources such as statutes, judicial decisions, legal articles, treaties, constitutions, and legal codes.
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Prepare and oversee the drafting of legal documents, including affidavits, briefs, pleadings, appeals, contracts, buy-sell agreements, closing papers, deeds, trust instruments, and other attorney-requested materials.
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Ensure compliance with firm performance standards (e.g., timekeeping) while managing the administrative needs of attorneys and legal teams.
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Investigate case facts and laws to determine causes of action at the request of attorneys.
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Coordinate administrative tasks across the case lifecycle, including pre-trial pleadings, motions, discovery, trial preparation, and post-trial analysis.
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Maintain, file, and organize both physical and digital case records confidentially and in accordance with company policy.
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Produce legal documents, such as court files and tax returns, as needed.
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Maintain effective communication with opposing counsel and other involved parties.
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Oversee assigned Paralegals or Legal Assistants in their responsibilities, including calendar coordination, correspondence drafting, and clerical duties.
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Schedule appointments, court appearances, evaluations, mediations, depositions, and other case-related logistics.
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Participate in firm-wide initiatives and cross-departmental collaboration as needed.
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Perform additional duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS:
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Minimum of 4 years of experience in law, client/customer service, or project management.
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Associate’s degree or equivalent work experience required; Bachelor’s degree preferred (fields such as law, business administration, or organizational management).
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Paralegal certification required.
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Demonstrated ability to lead personnel, manage projects, delegate tasks, and prioritize workloads effectively.
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Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to edit and interpret legal content accurately and efficiently.
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Ability to maintain professionalism in high-pressure situations, particularly when working with clients in difficult cases.
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Proven ability to work collaboratively in a diverse, fast-paced legal environment.
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Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams) and Adobe Acrobat.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Paralegal looking to take on a leadership role in a prestigious law firm environment. If you are highly organized, detail-oriented, and ready to contribute to a dynamic legal team, we encourage you to apply.