Paralegal - Estate Planning

About the role

Chambliss has been a trusted partner to businesses, families, and individuals across the Southeast for over a century. We are now seeking a Paralegal to join our Estate Planning and Administration practice.

Responsibilities

• Draft estate plan documents, including various revocable trusts and tax planning trusts, wills, and incapacity documents.
• Create estate planning diagrams and excel workbooks.
• Organize financial information received from clients.
• Proofread and correct prepared material for correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, format, syntax, and content.
• Revise summary memoranda regarding estate planning.
• Prepare correspondence to clients, banks, and investment companies.
• Follow up with clients to request financial information; consolidate completed information in Excel workbook; prepare bank reconciliations as necessary for some clients; set signing date and schedule signing date on attorney calendar if necessary.
• Request and work with attorneys preparing out-of-state deeds and other documents; research property records and obtain copies of deeds; research various Secretary of State Offices regarding LLC and corporate information.
• Prepare membership and stock transfer and assignments; prepare stock certificates; prepare various IRS forms, including Form SS-4, Application for Employer Identification Number.
• Contact clients and financial institutions regarding client financial matters.
• Meet with clients to execute owner and beneficiary change forms and other documents relating to estate planning.
• Follow up with clients and financial advisors to confirm account and beneficiary changes are made.
• Respond to client requests for copies, certifications, and other documents relating to estate planning.
• Generate a draft engagement letter from firm-based template for new clients and new engagements.
• Open new client matters once engagement letter is executed.
• Establish, develop, maintain, and update client files.
• Retrieve information from files when necessary.
• Coordinate with other paralegals on business matters related to estate planning.
• Work with attorneys to review and update estate planning forms and templates using Word and Hotdocs.
• Arrange for delivery of legal correspondence to clients.
• Track and report hours billed.

Qualifications

• Education: Associate degree in Paralegal Studies, Legal Assistant, or related field; Baccalaureate degree preferred.
• APA Paralegal certification preferred; continued specialization and advanced certification in related areas encouraged.
• Experience: Three to five years of related experience in a law office or financial advisor office.
• Knowledge: Knowledge of insurance and trusts would be helpful.
• Experience: Experience with legal document management system (NetDocuments) and Legal Management Solutions (LMS) workflow and billing system preferred.

Skills/Certifications

• Proficient knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, DocuSign, HotDocs, Westlaw, web-based research tools, and strong knowledge of legal terminology and procedures.
• Notary Certification preferred.

Job Specific Skills

• Solve practical problems and deal with a variety of situations without excessive oversight from attorneys.
• Strong practical problem-solving skills and ability to quickly apply knowledge and make effective decisions.
• Advanced judgement as to the method for producing a quality work product.
• Proven ability to work independently in the performance of regular assignments, handle multiple tasks and priorities, meet deadlines, manage large volume workload and to refer unusual or important matters for direction.
• Effective communication skills on varying levels of sophistication.
• Ability to communicate effectively on varying levels of sophistication.
• Communication proficiency and collaboration skills.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of attorneys, clients, or the general public.
• High level of professional integrity with ability to maintain confidentiality and build trust.
• An appreciation of the ethical issues involved in dealing with individuals and organizations and service providers.
• Strong writing and grammar skills.
• Ability to understand and execute oral and written instructions.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize appropriately in order to meet deadlines.
• Accuracy and very close attention to detail.
• Ability to manage deadlines and turn around work product timely.
• Ability to produce acceptable amount of billable work efficiently and accurately; ability to produce quality final work product.

Physical Demands

This work is primarily sedentary. Typically, the employee may sit comfortably to perform the work. The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, bend, kneel, stoop, and crouch; using hands and fingers for detailed work. The employee is occasionally required to lift office products and supplies up to 15 pounds, frequently carrying light items such as paper, books or small equipment. The employee is occasionally required to work overtime as requested.

Comprehensive Compensation & Benefits Package

• Competitive base salary commensurate with experience
• Performance-based bonus opportunities
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer matching
• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Health and wellness programs

Chambliss is an Equal Opportunity Employer

We are not utilizing outside agencies for this role. Do not solicit.