Senior Trusts & Estates Tax Paralegal

Husch Blackwell LLP is a full-service litigation and business law firm with multiple locations across the United States, serving clients with domestic and international operations. We foster an engaged, diverse, and inclusive team culture of accountability and purpose that values Teamwork, Collaboration, Client Service, and Innovation. This position is open in any of our offices, with preference for St. Louis, Missouri or Phoenix, Arizona.

About the role

We are seeking a motivated Senior Trusts & Estates Tax Professional to join our team. This role involves a full range of estate administration matters, including assisting attorneys with estate administration, trust funding, document preparation, probate filings, tax return preparation, and client case management.

Responsibilities

• Prepare various tax returns, including Estate Tax Returns and Fiduciary Income Tax Returns.
• Maintain financial records of trusts; perform trust accounting; audit accounts.
• Maintain G/L accounts, reconcile broker statements, prepare payables and bank deposits.
• Obtain and reconcile 1099 and K-1 statements.
• Handle irrevocable trust funding and administration (post-death).
• Manage probate administration, including drafting probate pleadings.
• Maintain close personal contact with clients and financial advisors.
• Meet an annual billable hour requirement of 1600 hours.
• Develop technical proficiency in database use, internet/electronic research, and project folder/electronic file maintenance.
• Independently organize and manage files or delegate tasks to appropriate business professionals and supervise same.
• Familiarity and experience with adopting legal AI; ability to learn and implement new AI tools preferred.
• Sustain attention to detail and quality of work.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• 8+ years of progressively responsible experience in Trusts & Estates, including complex estate and trust administration, as well as estate and fiduciary tax matters.
• Two-year degree required; Bachelor’s degree or Paralegal Certificate from an ABA-approved program preferred. Significant, substantive related experience may be considered in lieu of formal education.
• Excellent communication, analytical, and organizational skills.
• Proven success working in a fast-paced, continually changing environment.
• Ability to prioritize and manage time effectively.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Familiarity with tax and trust accounting software.
• Experience with document database programs and/or software.
• Significant client case management experience.
• Exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to interact effectively and professionally, providing exceptional service internally and externally.
• Highly organized, with the ability to prioritize workflow and manage projects.
• Ability to perform effectively with little or no supervision and within established time limits and deadlines.

Benefits

Employees are entitled to compensation commensurate with skill and experience. The Firm will provide reasonable accommodations as necessary to allow individuals with disabilities to apply for and perform the essential functions of the position.

Pay

• State of California: $86,000 - $139,000
• State of Colorado: $75,000 - $119,000
• State of Illinois: $64,000 - $125,000
• State of Maryland: $73,000 - $107,000
• State of Massachusetts: $85,000 - $130,000
• State of Minnesota: $75,000 - $111,000
• Jersey City, NJ: $78,000 - $114,000
• State of New York: $66,000 - $125,000
• State of Washington: $88,000 - $134,000
• Washington, DC: $94,000 - $138,000