Paralegal

Whiteford, Taylor & Preston, LLP • Columbia, MD

1d • Onsite

About The Position

We are a growing business and litigation law firm with approximately 200 attorneys across the Mid-Atlantic region. Our dedication to excellence has established us as a leader in the legal industry. We are currently seeking a highly skilled and experienced Estates Administration Paralegal to support our Trust and Estates practice group in our Columbia office. This position focuses on comprehensive estate and trust administration, including independent management of probate matters and ongoing trust administration in Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Virginia. The Paralegal will prepare probate filings, fiduciary accountings, and related legal documents; independently prepare and file federal and state fiduciary income tax returns; and manage all aspects of estate administration with minimal supervision. The ideal candidate will have at least three years of paralegal experience handling estate administration in a law firm setting and will possess strong organizational, analytical, and communication skills.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an American Bar Association (ABA) approved paralegal educational program or a four-year degree and a paralegal certificate from an ABA-certified program are preferred.
• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university. Military or other applicable experience may substitute for educational requirements.
• Minimum of 3 years trusts & estates paralegal experience required, with demonstrated experience in estate administration (either in a law firm or working with in-house counsel).
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications including MS Word and Excel.
• Must demonstrate aptitude for learning other office-related software.
• Excellent proofreading skills; proficiency in spelling and correct use of English grammar and punctuation.
• Ability to communicate with diverse populations and to work cooperatively and professionally with colleagues.
• Strong time-management and organizational skills, with the ability to work independently on complex estate administration tasks.
• Ability to think clearly, react positively, and evaluate situations to determine appropriate action and act decisively under pressure.
• Ability to proactively identify opportunities to assist the team and those the team supports.
• Must be highly organized and a self-starter.
• Work schedule flexibility, including availability for overtime.

Nice To Haves

• 3 or more years of experience as a Trusts & Estates paralegal with a strong focus on estate administration.
• Paralegal certificate.
• Prior experience independently managing probate and trust administration matters.

Responsibilities

• Independently administer probate and trust estates in MD, DC, and VA, including preparing and filing all required documents with the appropriate courts and agencies.
• Prepare, draft, edit, and manage legal documents related to sophisticated estate and trust administration matters, including petitions, inventories, accountings, and related pleadings.
• Independently prepare and file federal and state fiduciary income tax returns, including Forms 1041 and applicable state filings.
• Prepare, edit, and review informal estate and trust accountings; assist with administration of ongoing trusts including distribution requests, asset management, and income tax payments.
• Gather, organize, summarize, and index documents from various sources for estate and trust files.
• Conduct research and analysis of statutes, regulations, legal articles, and judicial decisions applicable to estate and trust administration; provide written analysis to attorneys.
• Prepare, organize, store, and retrieve case filings, which may include evidence, exhibits, and other supporting materials.
• Track and maintain records of billable hours for specific matters.
• File documents in Court and maintain positive relationships with Court staff.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• A competitive salary and benefits package.
• Opportunities for professional growth and development within a dynamic and supportive environment.
• A collaborative culture that values innovation, integrity, and inclusivity.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level