The paralegal is responsible for managing a large and diversified workload in support of attorneys and clients that require a good understanding of the organization and its business needs. Under general direction, the paralegal completes work at an advanced level with most work requiring limited attorney revision. The paralegal in this role will focus on general law matters and business practice areas involving the Private Wealth practice group.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Prepare documents for attorney review, including Florida Probate pleadings and other documents for sophisticated trust and estate administration matters.
• Prepare initial drafts of trust and estate-related tax returns, including Forms 706 and 709.
• Prepare trust and estate accounting and administer guardianships.
• Gather, organize, summarize, and index documents from various sources.
• Attend and participate in client meetings and document executions.
• Complete special projects.
• Meet with attorneys, clients, and other professionals to discuss assigned cases or projects.
• Draft legal documents, including routine pleadings and motions, affidavits, and interrogatories, file motions and pleadings according to judicial procedures.
• Researches and analyzes statutes, regulations, legal articles, judicial decisions, and other legal sources; provides written analysis to attorneys.
• Interviews clients and witnesses and prepares summaries of their statements.
• Prepares, organizes, stores, and retrieves case files, which may include evidence, exhibits, depositions, pleadings, exhibits, and other items.
• Develop and maintain records regarding billable hours spent on specific cases.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Required skills/abilities:

• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.
• Must be highly organized and detail-oriented.
• Understanding of legal language and principles, research methods, court pleadings and processes, and other related matters.
• Ability to perform tasks utilizing legal office software such as document management and billing software. Experience in Coyote is a plus.
• Full proficiency with advanced, multifunction word processing software including Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and PDF programs) and proficiency in Coyote and iManage.
• Strong background in the Florida Probate Code and Florida Trust Code.
• Proficiency with GEMS.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Excellent organizational skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to function well in a high-paced and at times stressful environment.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion and good judgment.
• Ability to work independently.

Education and experience:

• 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.
• Demonstrated solid knowledge in one or more areas of law and its processes.
• Knowledge of specific practice groups, i.e., trust & estates, real estate, and corporate tax practices.
• Minimum five (5) years of prior paralegal experience dealing specifically in Estate Planning and Probate matters.
• Associate degree in Paralegal Studies or related field required with six (6) years of paralegal or relevant legal experience and a paralegal certificate required.
• Paralegal Certification is a plus.