Trust & Estate Administration Paralegal

LHH is looking for an experienced Trust & Estate Administration Paralegal to join our estate planning team in Northbrook, IL. This full-time, in-office role is ideal for someone with recent, hands-on experience managing trust and estate administration from start to finish. You’ll work directly with one of the partners and support up to eight attorneys in a busy, highly respected practice.

Important: We are looking for stable, relevant experience within the last five years. Please no “hoppy” resumes. Candidates must be located within a 45-minute commute to our Northbrook office.

Top 3 Qualities We’re Looking For:

1. Recent, relevant trust & estate administration experience (within the last 5 years)
2. Proximity to Northbrook (ideally within a 45-minute commute)
3. Ability to manage trust/estate administration start-to-finish, including drafting documents, preparing correspondence, and communicating directly with clients and financial institutions

What You’ll Do:

• Independently manage trust and estate administration cases from intake to close-out
• Draft correspondence, letters to trustees, and handle asset transfers
• Serve as a key administrative resource for 2 lead attorneys and up to 8 total in the estate planning group
• Prepare probate court filings and related legal documents
• Communicate with clients, beneficiaries, financial institutions, and other professionals
• Track key dates and deadlines
• Use HotDocs, NetDocs, Microsoft Office, and Access

Note: This is a high-volume, detail-focused role. You must be organized, self-driven, and ready to jump in.

What You Bring:

• Minimum 2 years of relevant paralegal experience (4 preferred; will consider strong 1 year candidates)
• Proven ability to handle trust and estate administration independently
• Clear, professional communication skills
• Experience in a law firm supporting estate planning attorneys
• Bonus: Paralegal certification or tax-related experience (not required)

Team Structure:

• You’ll primarily support one of the partners
• You'll work closely with another seasoned paralegal (10 years tenure) who is currently over capacity
• Expect to bill approximately 25 hours/week, with an annual requirement of 1320 hours

Interview Process:

1. Zoom Interview – Elevator pitch, why you’re looking, strengths & weaknesses
2. On-Site Interview with one of the partners
3. Final Round with Additional Partners (streamlined/flexible for working candidates)

Compensation & Benefits:

• $39–$52/hour, based on experience
• Annual bonus
• Health & Dental – 50% firm-covered
• 401(k) – Match up to 0.5% for employees contributing 8% (eligibility after 30 days)
• PTO
• 0–4 years: 10 days
• 4–9 years: 15 days
• 10 years: 20 days
• Sick/Personal Days – 5 per year
• Paid Holidays, including early dismissal (3:00 PM) before holidays
• New Year’s Day
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Thanksgiving & Friday after
• Christmas
• Optional: Rosh Hashanah / Yom Kippur (replaceable)