Estate Planning and Trust Funding Paralegal

Fantastic opportunity for a Trusts & Estates / Estate Planning paralegal looking to grow with a premier boutique law firm in Boston's Back Bay neighborhood. Squillace & Associates, P.C. is focused on life, estate, and business planning, and seeks to expand our team to better serve our clients and growing practice. For more information about the firm visit: https://squillace-law.com/.

General Responsibilities:

The ideal candidate is thoughtful and diligent, highly motivated, and oriented toward serving clients well. This position provides an opportunity to work collaboratively, both internally with colleagues and externally with client advisors and other parties, to participate meaningfully in the management of client files and the oversight of certain aspects of client relationships.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Assist with the preparation of highly customized foundational estate planning documents (i.e. revocable trusts, wills, powers of attorney, health care proxies, etc.);
• Manage and oversee responsibility for all ‘post-delivery’ action items including processing, scanning, and filing of executed client documents as well as related client communications.
• Prepare and review of certain trust funding documents including deeds, beneficiary designation forms, change of ownership forms, company-specific account forms, etc.
• Communicate with clients, courts, personal representatives, trustees, and other parties to provide and obtain information and documentation on matters;
• Maintain and provide support on an on-call basis for software services and subscriptions;
• Manage purchases and support for computer and printer hardware, both in-office and for remote work;
• Conduct periodic training for other firm members on cybersecurity practices and policies;
• Perform certain other traditional paralegal duties including producing various documents, correspondence, and memos as necessary;
• Perform certain traditional administrative duties including assembling estate planning documents for presentation to the client, managing schedules, coordinating meetings, providing phone support, and file maintenance (scanning and shredding of documents).

Job Requirements:

Some experience as an estate planning, trust funding, or estate administration paralegal is strongly preferred, including at least a basic knowledge of personal finance matters. Experience working with high-net-worth individuals and affluent families is also strongly preferred. A strong interest in the subject matter and the desire to learn is mandatory.

The ability to maintain confidentiality, be discreet about sensitive client information, and possess the highest integrity is also fundamental to this position.

Applicants should be proactive self-starters (highly motivated problem solvers) who will possess the ability to work effectively under pressure with moderate supervision. Applicants must also have superior communication skills (both oral and written), excellent organizational skills, and a high level of dedication, discipline, and professionalism. An eye for detail and the ability to multi-task and meet deadlines are paramount. Applicants will be expected to assume responsibility for projects/tasks that are assigned and feel empowered to follow through to completion.

General computer and technological literacy, with fluency in Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook), Adobe Acrobat, and the Windows platform is required. The Firm also currently uses a range of cloud-based software for client/contact/matter management and calendaring, estate plan drafting, and estate and trust inventory, accounting, and settlement management. Ability to quickly develop comprehensive knowledge and program administration skills for new software platforms is imperative. Some experience with IT support, on-call troubleshooting, and corporate cybersecurity practices is preferred.

Core Competencies:

A qualified candidate should process the following underlying skills, abilities, behaviors, and perspectives which are necessary to be successful at our firm:

CUSTOMER SERVICE

• Commitment to the client experience
• Empathetic/Compassionate
• Ability to establish rapport and credibility with clients
• Polished demeanor for interfacing with clients
• Responsive

COMMITMENT

• Initiative
• Ownership
• Work ethic
• Execute and follow through to completion

PROFESSIONALISM

• Ability to work independently as well as effectively as part of a team
• Professional demeanor for interfacing with clients
• Resiliency for growth through overcoming challenges
• Vested interest in success of the Firm
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail

COMMUNICATION

• Open, direct, clear, and above all respectful communicator
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Listens effectively
• Open to coaching

PROBLEM SOLVING

• Ability to define the problem
• Multitasking and ability to prioritize and reprioritize tasks
• Asks smart and clarifying questions
• Figures out how to get things done

Candidates should submit a resume with a cover letter including but not limited to:

• Why they think they are a good fit for the position;
• Why they are looking for a new or different position;
• Anything else they may find relevant or supportive of their candidacy;

Candidates who do not submit a cover letter will not be considered for the position. No phone calls, please. Submissions should be directed to joseph@squillace-law.com. All resumes accepted in strict confidence.

• Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster.
• Please do NOT contact us with unsolicited services or offers.

Compensation: $40,000 - $50,000/year, depending on experience; full benefit package including health and life insurance; short and long-term disability; retirement plan based on plan terms; three weeks paid vacation.