#2107 Trusts & Estates Legal Assistant

Sarasota office of AV rated regional law firm is immediately seeking a trusts and estates Legal Assistant for it’s busy practice.  This position performs a variety of legal administrative support duties and delivers high-quality service to clients, exhibiting commitment to integrity and excellence. Candidates for the role must have a thorough knowledge of law firm and practice specific administrative processes and procedures, information technology systems, research tools, and a broad-based understanding of the clients, matters, and associated practices. The scope of responsibilities includes prioritizing, managing, following through on multiple projects, and communicating effectively, courteously, and professionally with clients, attorneys, staff, and peers.

We are seeking a professional with a positive work ethic who loves what they do because they know they are on the front line in providing a high level of service to our attorneys, staff, and clients. We think that means you need great people skills, patience, and the ability to multi-task and prioritize. You need to be proactive and confident in your commitment to our attorneys and clients by identifying what they need and providing it.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Proven ability and experience handling all aspects of administrative support needed to assist attorneys in estate planning matters and the administration of estates and trusts with a sustained record of high-quality work.
• Working knowledge of the rules of procedure governing estate and trust administrations as it relates to this role.
• Using various court filing systems, must have experience filing pleadings in state in accordance with the related court requirements.
• Experience working in a mid to large size firm and collaborating with various firm-wide departments in the handling of various responsibilities, including case opening, conflicts checks, billing, training, records, etc.
• Effective oral and written communication skills needed to draft and proofread correspondence, pleadings, and other legal documents.
• Experience tracking firm, attorney, and client expenses and using an application software to process reimbursements and payments.
• Knowledge and ability to participate in the client billing process, including assisting attorneys in entering narratives, tracking billable tasks, making edits, calendaring billing due dates, and delivery of bills to clients in electronic and paper forms.
• Schedule state court hearings in accordance with court requirements.
• Understand court requirements to calculate deadlines and ensure they are met by the attorney and team.
• Schedule client and other appointments in coordination with the attorney.
• Possess some knowledge of special events planning and coordination to assist in organizing attorney business development events.
• Managing electronic and paper case files.
• Handling incoming and outgoing mail and other correspondence. Answering, screening, directing and placing telephone calls and emails.
• Consistently deliver outstanding client service and quality.
• The above description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees in this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications of employees assigned to this job. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or to otherwise balance the workload.

JOB REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience 

• Must have two-year degree or comparable experience.
• Must have a minimum of five years of law firm administrative experience, preferably as an estate planning or estate and trust administration legal assistant.
• Experience working with multiple attorneys required.
• Florida probate experience desired.

Knowledge Requirements 

• Ability to work efficiently and effectively under pressure and time constraints.
• Ability to effectively balance multiple assignments and workflow from multiple attorneys.
• Ability to multitask and handle multiple responsibilities and high volume is crucial.
• Strong attention to detail, initiative, and follow-through required.
• Effective oral and written communication skills, including the ability to clearly express thoughts to others and exchange information.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, other departments, vendors, and the public.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, including extensive knowledge of Outlook, Word, Excel and experience working with law firm case management and billing software required. Knowledge of FileSite, CMS, SmartTime, Aderant, Wealth Counsel, Estate Works, and Hot Docs a plus.

Work in collaboration within a group and individually to ensure that clients are satisfied, includes the desire to understand client concerns and build trust.