Legal Assistant-Estate Planning

BrownWinick Law Firm; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

BrownWinick is seeking a highly organized Legal Assistant to support attorneys in the Estate Planning Practice Group. The role requires confidentiality, sharp attention to detail, and excellent client service in a fast-paced, professional setting.

Candidates should have an Associate degree or equivalent, at least one year of legal assistant experience (estate planning preferred), and proficiency with Microsoft Office; experience with document management and billing software is a plus.

Qualifications

• Associate degree or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Minimum of one year of legal assistant experience, preferably within estate planning, probate, trust administration, or a related legal practice area
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint

Responsibilities

• Provide administrative and legal support to estate planning attorneys.
• Prepare, edit, format, and proofread documents and client materials.
• Coordinate document execution, signature meetings, notarizations, and related follow-up tasks.
• Maintain attorney calendars, schedules, deadlines, and task lists.
• Open, organize, maintain, and close client and administrative files in accordance with firm policies.
• Support attorney timekeeping and billing processes, including proofreading invoices.
• Assist with business development and client relationship management activities.

Skills

Strong organizational skills

Attention to detail

Verbal and written communication

Client service orientation

Independent and collaborative work

Office technology proficiency

Education

Associate degree or equivalent

1 year of legal assistant experience

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Document management systems

Legal billing software

Calendaring systems

Job description

BrownWinick is seeking a highly organized and client-focused Legal Assistant to support attorneys within our Estate Planning Practice Group. This role is responsible for providing administrative and legal support in a fast-paced environment, while maintaining exceptional attention to detail, professionalism, and confidentiality.

The ideal candidate will have prior estate planning, probate, trust administration, or legal assistant experience and possess strong organizational, communication, and client service skills.

Education & Experience

Required:

• Associate degree or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Minimum of one year of legal assistant experience, preferably within estate planning, probate, trust administration, or a related legal practice area
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint

Preferred:

• Prior experience supporting attorneys in an estate planning, probate, elder law, wealth transfer, or trust administration practice
• Experience with document management systems, legal billing software, calendaring systems, and general legal technology
• Experience managing complex legal documents and maintaining client files
• Prepare, edit, format, and proofread correspondence, legal documents, estate planning documents, memoranda, and other client materials
• Assist with the preparation and organization of wills, trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and other estate planning documents
• Coordinate document execution, client signature meetings, notarizations, and related follow-up tasks
• Maintain attorney calendars, schedules, deadlines, and task lists
• Open, organize, maintain, and close client and administrative files in accordance with firm policies
• Coordinate conflict checks, file maintenance, and document retention procedures
• Serve as a primary point of contact for clients and provide exceptional client service throughout the estate planning process
• Monitor and distribute incoming and outgoing mail, email communications, and client documentation
• Coordinate meetings, appointments, and travel arrangements for assigned attorneys
• Support attorney timekeeping and billing processes, including proofreading invoices and assisting with timely submission of attorney time
• Track attorney CLE requirements and monitor compliance deadlines
• Assist with business development and client relationship management activities
• Support special projects and other administrative duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
• Exceptional attention to detail and document proofreading abilities
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain strict confidentiality
• Strong client service orientation and professional demeanor
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team environment
• Proficiency with legal and office technology, including document management systems, scanning, printing, and electronic filing

Additional Role Expectations

• Demonstrated interest in estate planning, trust administration, and client-focused legal services
• Ability to build and maintain positive relationships with clients, attorneys, and staff
• Position is primarily performed in an office environment
• Occasional overtime may be required to meet client and business needs
• Ability to sit, stand, use a computer, and operate standard office equipment for extended periods