Litigation Paralegal

Classification​
Non-exempt.

Salary Grade/Level
Commensurate with experience

Reports to

Attorney’s

JOB DESCRIPTION

Summary The Probate and Trust Administration LITIGATION paralegal is responsible for providing a variety of assistance during all phases of the probate and trust administration process, including taking the matter through litigation, evidentiary hearings and long cause trial, for multiple attorneys in the organization. Qualified applicants should have exceptional organizational and computer/word processing skills, including redlining, the ability to multitask with ease and manage several projects at one time. Applicants must be detail oriented, team players, highly dependable, and have excellent grammar, spelling, proofreading, oral, administrative and interpersonal skills. The legal experience that is required includes probate and trust administration transactions of all types, including preparation of documentation.

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Preparing and filing pleadings, notice of hearing, entry of judgments, dismissal.

2. Prepare and propound discovery.

3. Preparing and filing probate documents in the administration of an estate (petitions, motions, testamentary letters, inventories, accountings, and notices)

4. Filing life insurance claims and other death benefits

5. Contacting beneficiaries and next of kin regarding admission of the will and other probate hearings

6. Administering estate accounts and assisting with the liquidation and transfer of property

7. Participating in the administration of guardianships and trusts

8. Paralegal support for multiple attorneys

9. Perform legal research and writing under the direction of an attorney; gather information regarding statutes, rules, regulations, court decisions, local resolutions and ordinances, and similar materials related to assigned responsibilities.

10. Prepare engagement agreements and drafts for attorney review

11. Highly organized

12. Strong writing and communication skills along with attention to detail

13. Extensive computer and database expertise, including calendaring.

14. Liaison to other departments, clients, court, experts, venders, and other attorney offices

15. Answer phones and screen potential client calls

16. Knowledge of Word/Excel/Outlook/Wealthcouncil, Smokeball, Westlaw and CEB preferred

17. Friendly, professional, team player

18. This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice

Competencies

• Empathy and professionalism dealing with clients who have lost family members.
• Experience in litigation.
• Ability to excel within an extremely high-volume environment
• Ability to make sound judgment calls
• Ability to work well with minimal supervision
• Ability to catch errors and correct the work of others
• Superior client service skills, ability to prioritize cases, manage caseload and other tasks (i.e. projects, company management responsibilities, etc.)
• Ability to meet deadlines and goals
• Organizing and planning
• Collaboration skills
• Thoroughness
• Flexibility
• Must be able to prioritize and work independently
• Professional personal presentation
• Information management
• Attention to detail
• Initiative
• Reliability
• Stress tolerance

Work Environment

• Able to maintain a sedentary position for up to 90% of the work day
• Able to type and to grasp, grip, push and pull file drawers and doors
• Able to walk and coordinate with other departments
• Able to bend, stoop, kneel and/or stand to access files and documents
• Able to lift up to 25 lbs. of files and/or boxes

Physical Demands

This is largely an active role; however, some sedentary desk work is required. This would require the ability to lift, reach and bend or stand as necessary.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. Occasionally, there will be exceptions. We have offices in Modesto and Sonora and we’d like a physical presence in one of our offices.

Travel

No out of town travel is expected for this position, however local travel may be necessary from time to time.

Required Education and Experience

Paralegal associates degree or other relevant certification

Preferred Education and Experience

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. Paralegal certification or completion of the first year of law school, and two to five years of increasingly responsible legal office experience including legal research and policies and procedures related to the specified field of law.

Supervisory Responsibility
This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

Ability to become a Notary

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $62,400.00 - $83,200.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Day shift

Ability to Commute:

• Modesto, CA 95354 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Modesto, CA 95354: Relocate before starting work (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $62,400 - $83,200