Private Client Paralegal (Trust & Estate)

Faegre Drinker is a firm designed for clients and designed for you. We understand that our people are critical to our success and we are committed to investing in our paraprofessional, administrative and operations professionals. We are always looking for talented, service-focused individuals to join our flexible and high-performing culture. With technology tools and resources that support our hybrid work environment, our colleagues enjoy a culture of learning, support for work and personal goals, opportunities to give back to our communities, and competitive benefits and rewards programs. At Faegre Drinker, you will have the opportunity to share your expertise within and across teams and contribute to our success.

Job Description Summary:

Faegre Drinker, one of the 50 largest law firms headquartered in the U.S., is searching for a Paralegal to join our Private Client team in our Princeton or Florham Park office. As a Private Client Paralegal, you will support experienced lawyers in all aspects of estate administration, from inception through termination. This role is client facing and requires the ability to effectively communicate and work directly with clients. This position will work with other talented individuals who share a passion for doing great work in the best interest of our clients.

Job Description:

What you would do:

• Establish close rapport with client and beneficiaries to ensure positive and cooperative working relationships
• Assist attorneys, as needed, in connection with drafting documents
• Collect, analyze, and organize decedent’s financial records, including tax returns, trust agreements, deeds, stock powers, and financial statements and assist with valuation of assets
• Draft documents to assist the client to qualify as executor and trustee
• Ensure proper publication and required notices as part of estate administration
• Consider post-mortem estate planning and prepare disclaimer documents
• Compile materials required in connection with an audit of estate and/or inheritance tax returns
• Prepare state inheritance tax returns, federal estate tax returns, gift tax returns, as well as fiduciary tax returns
• Prepare inventories, asset allocation agreements and asset transfer documents as well as receipts and releases
• Prepare and file Accountings and related settlement documents
• Coordinate distributions and funding transfers of estates and trusts
• Coordinate with other professionals and clients to obtain and analyze due diligence materials in preparation for filing
• Special projects and duties, as assigned

What is expected:

• Energetic, organized, detail orientated and disciplined with the willingness to work hard.
• Ability to work well independently and as part of a team, through effective communication strategies.
• Ability to manage workflow and work under tight deadlines and other time constraints, with competing and shifting priorities.
• Ability to bill 1550 hours annually.
• Ability to effectively manage projects.
• Ability to create and work with excel spreadsheets to calculate financials
• Ability to disseminate information from bank, brokerage and other financial statements
• Apply knowledge of the Uniform Probate Code to meet requirements for estate planning documents

What we offer:

• Flexible working environment for work-life success
• Opportunity to participate in firm-sponsored volunteer events
• Wellness programming with personalized content and activities
• Professional environment and the opportunity to work with experts at the top of their fields
• Variety of health plan options, as well as dental, vision and 401(k) plans
• Generous paid time off

The anticipated initial hourly rate for someone who is hired into this position is $43.00– $50.00/hour based on a 37.5 hour a week schedule. 

Actual initial hourly rate may be above or below the above-identified range and will be based on the relevant skills, training, experience, and other job-related factors, including the location where the position is filled, in all cases consistent with applicable law.  This is a non-exempt role paid on an hourly basis.  The initial hourly rate listed above is just one component of Faegre Drinker's total compensation and benefits package for professional staff, which includes, but is not limited to, a discretionary bonus; life, health, accident, and disability insurance; and a 401(k) plan.

What is required:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required; paralegal certificate preferred
• 5+ years of experience in trusts and estates in NJ required
• Experience as a paralegal in a law firm strongly preferred
• Previous experience with tax programs for preparing state, federal, and gift tax returns estate and inheritance tax, fiduciary income tax, estate tax, and securities evaluations
• Experience with any of the following systems is a plus: CCH Axcess tax, CCH ProSystem, OneSource, NumberCruncher, Tiger Tables, Zcalc, EstatVal
• Proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, etc.)Experience entering and tracking billable time is a plus

Apply now if you are ready to join the Faegre Drinker team!

Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, national origin, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, veteran or military status, or any other characteristic made unlawful by applicable federal, state or local laws. Equal employment opportunity will be extended to all persons in all aspects of employment, including retirement, hiring, training, promotion, transfer, compensation, benefits, discipline and termination.