Estate Planning Paralegal
About the role
The Harbor Lawyers is a growing firm handling estate planning matters throughout Texas and California. Join a dynamic practice where experienced professionals make a meaningful impact within a supportive, collaborative environment. The Harbor Lawyers is seeking an experienced Estate Planning Paralegal with at least 5 years of experience in preparation of wills, trusts, and ancillary estate planning documents.
Responsibilities
This role offers the opportunity to work directly with clients, providing strategic legal support while managing estate planning cases from start to finish. Key responsibilities include:
- Billing and Project Support: Assist with billing and invoicing, including coordination with accounting on client billing and matter-related costs.
- Client Interaction: Independently manage sensitive client communication, potentially discussing complex concepts and overcoming objections.
- Workflow Management: Initiative to manage complex document workflows efficiently.
- Collaboration: Working closely with attorneys and coordinating with software vendors, acting as a reliable team player.
Requirements
The ideal candidate will have a strong background in client consultations, estate planning document preparation, and trust administration. Requirements include:
- Minimum 5 years in estate planning, focusing on drafting wills, trusts, and POAs, or 10 years paralegal experience, with a minimum of 3 years EP drafting
- Expertise in drafting complex estate planning documents, real estate deed transfers, ensuring compliance with state law, and preparing funding instructions
- Proficiency with estate planning software (Clio preferred but not required) and general legal tech
- Ability to guide clients through asset retitling and beneficiary updates
Qualities & Soft Skills
The ideal candidate will possess:
- Attention to Detail: Meticulous in reviewing documents and ensuring accuracy
- Communication: Excellent verbal and written skills to explain complex matters to clients and coordinate with attorneys
- Empathy & Patience: Ability to handle sensitive topics and stressful client situations with compassion
- Organization: Strong time management, ability to juggle multiple tasks, and maintain order in a fast-paced environment
- Initiative & Problem-Solving: Proactive, independent, and resourceful in resolving issues
- Client Focus: Ability to build rapport, communicate value, and manage client expectations effectively
- Technology Savvy: Demonstrates strong proficiency with law firm technology and ability to quickly learn and adapt to new legal software systems
- Adaptable: Ability to adapt to changing priorities and workflows while maintaining accuracy, professionalism, and attention to detail in a dynamic legal environment
Benefits
Our offering includes:
- 401(k) retirement plan with company match
- Robust health insurance and legal benefit plans
- Training & development opportunities
- Paid vacation
- On-site fitness center access
- Free food & snacks
- Opportunity for advancement
- Parental leave
- Tuition assistance
- Vision insurance
- Wellness resources
- Estate Planning