Legal Assistant

Warner Norcross Judd is seeking a Trusts & Estates Legal Assistant to join our team in Grand Rapids. This role provides dedicated administrative support to in the practice group, contributing to the overall efficiency and organization of legal operations. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, proactive, and thrives in a collaborative, fast-paced legal environment.

About the Opportunity

Responsibilities:

• Document Preparation & Proofreading: Drafts, formats, and reviews a wide range of estate planning and administration documents, including wills, trusts, correspondence, probate filings, and court documents. Transcribes from dictation as needed, ensuring accuracy and professional presentation in alignment with practice standards.

• File & Records Management: Maintains organized and up-to-date electronic and physical client files. Ensures that emails, correspondence, and signed documents are filed appropriately and that hard copies are digitized in accordance with T&E protocols.

• Client Communication & Confidentiality: Serves as a professional point of contact for clients, often dealing with sensitive or emotional family matters. Manages incoming calls, relays timely updates to timekeepers, and maintains a compassionate yet professional tone in all interactions.

• Matter & Docket Management: Opens and manages client matters per Firm policies, tracks key deadlines (including court and tax filing dates), coordinates e-filings with courts and government agencies, and ensures documents are routed appropriately for execution or filing.

• Calendar, Meeting & Expense Coordination: Manages timekeeper calendars, including appointments with clients, court dates, and internal meetings. Coordinates travel and submits expense reports. Assists with planning client seminars or group-specific events when applicable.

• Billing & Timekeeping Support: Reviews, edits, and finalizes time entries and billing memos, ensuring proper coding for T&E matters. Handles special billing arrangements such as flat fees or estate billing protocols, and follows up on outstanding items with clients as needed.

• Team Support & Coverage: Provides cross-coverage for other T&E team members and assists during timekeeper absences. Helps coordinate vacation schedules to maintain consistent support within the group.

Competencies:

• Attention to Detail/Thoroughness

• Communication Skills

• Customer Orientation

• Interpersonal Skills

• Planning and Organization

• Following Directions

• Listening Skills

About You

Experience, Education and Training:

• 3 years legal support experience required

• Minimum of 1 year within the trust & estates practice group area required

• Legal studies degree preferred

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suites

• Proficiency filing within the probate court system

• Proficiency with trust administration and asset transfers preferred

• Proficiency with fiduciary accountings and tax correspondence preferred

• Proficient with client intake process required

• Strong communication skills required

• Ability to manage high volume workload and prioritize required

About Warner

Warner is a full-service corporate law firm with 230 attorneys practicing in nine offices throughout Michigan: Bloomfield Hills, Detroit, Grand Rapids, Holland, Kalamazoo, Lansing, Macomb, Midland and Muskegon. To learn more, visit www.wnj.com, follow us on X @WNJLLP or connect on LinkedIn or Facebook.

About Our Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans
• Firm-provided life insurance and disability coverage
• 401k with employer contribution or match depending on plan design
• Generous PTO and leave policies
• Firm holidays
• Remote work flexibility
• Wellness program
• Employee assistance program
• Professional development opportunities

About Our Culture

Warner’s cultural motto is “Fun, Pride Profit...in that Order”. We build A Better Partnership through:

Teamwork - Warner’s lockstep compensation model encourages teamwork and distinguishes us from our competitors. Partner and associate salaries are set based upon seniority, not total hours worked, encouraging client legal projects to be routed to the most knowledgeable person in the firm. Our team approach to compensation yields better legal representation for our clients and lays the foundation for a fun culture without internal financial competition. We have a team atmosphere where people like working together and supporting each other.

Diversity – At Warner, we take an “all in” approach to DEI – engaging people at all levels of the firm to lead and participate on DEI committees and initiatives. This ensures a broad base of support from team members truly invested in leading the charge. It’s because of their time and efforts we are as successful as we are – and that success radiates throughout the whole firm. Our DEI work has become not only the right thing to do, but more importantly, what our people want to do.

Careers – Our culture of balanced personal and professional lifestyle allows us to maintain a 94% attorney retention rate. Attorneys throughout Michigan, the region and beyond are choosing Warner as their forever home – and because of our dedicated focus on living balanced lives, our attorneys’ families are fully supporting these important decisions.

Community – Warner’s time-honored community engagement initiatives include financial contributions to 150 nonprofits, scholarships and paid time off for all firm members to engage in community initiatives that are meaningful to them.

EEO Statement

Warner Norcross Judd LLP is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in our workplaces. We are committed to building a firm that reflects the diversity of the clients and communities we serve. We can foster inclusion and equity by moving beyond barriers and rejecting stereotypes based on gender, race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, and veteran status. The result is a high performing team of professionals providing excellent service to our clients.

How to Apply

We appreciate your interest in exploring career opportunities with Warner. To apply, visit WNJ.com and navigate to the Careers section, then select Staff Openings. Click Add to Apply List and then Apply to create a profile and continue with your application.

Closing Statement

Warner hires top talent at every point in our organization. We are seeking dedicated professionals with diverse backgrounds who strive to support the firm and its goals. Our collegial culture attracts people with diverse skills and backgrounds who are dedicated to teamwork and client service.