Senior Trusts & Estates Tax Paralegal

Husch Blackwell•Milwaukee, WI

19h•$57,000 - $178,000•Remote

About The Position

Husch Blackwell LLP is seeking a Senior Trusts & Estates Tax Paralegal to assist attorneys with estate administration and related matters. The role supports estate administration, post-death funding and administration of irrevocable trusts, document preparation, probate, estate-related tax filings, and client case management. The position may be based in any of the Firm’s offices, with St. Louis, Missouri, or Phoenix, Arizona, preferred. The successful candidate will prepare estate and fiduciary income tax returns; maintain trust financial records and accounts; handle reconciliations, payables, deposits, and tax statements; draft probate pleadings; and maintain close contact with clients and financial advisors. The position requires independent file and project management, strong attention to detail, technical proficiency with relevant databases and electronic research tools, and the ability to manage deadlines with little or no supervision. The annual billable-hour requirement is 1,600 hours. The Firm describes itself as committed to teamwork, collaboration, client service, innovation, and an engaged, diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. Compensation varies by skills, experience, location, and other legally permitted factors; stated ranges differ by jurisdiction.

Requirements

At least 8 years of progressively responsible experience in trusts and estates, including complex estate and trust administration and estate and fiduciary tax matters.
Two-year degree required; 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 and provide exceptional service to internal and external customers.
Ability to organize and prioritize workflow and manage projects.
Ability to work effectively with little or no supervision, within established time limits and ongoing deadlines.
Ability to deliver superior service, communicate effectively, work collaboratively, adapt to changing business demands, and produce accurate, high-quality work efficiently.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree or Paralegal Certificate from an ABA-approved program.
Familiarity and experience adopting legal AI, and ability to learn and implement new AI.

Responsibilities

Prepare estate tax returns and fiduciary income tax returns.
Maintain trust financial records, perform trust accounting, and audit accounts.
Maintain general ledger accounts, reconcile broker statements, prepare payables, and make bank deposits.
Obtain and reconcile 1099 and K-1 statements.
Fund and administer irrevocable trusts after death.
Administer probate matters, including drafting probate pleadings.
Maintain close personal contact with clients and financial advisors.
Meet the annual billable-hour requirement of 1,600 hours.
Develop and maintain technical proficiency in database use and management, internet and electronic research, and project-folder and electronic-file maintenance.
Organize and manage files independently, or delegate similar tasks to appropriate business professionals and supervise their work.
Maintain attention to detail and quality of work.
Perform other duties as assigned.