Legal Assistant/Paralegal - Trust & Estates - Miami | Ft. Lauderdale

Shutts & Bowen LLP; Miami (FL); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A full-service law firm in Miami is seeking a Legal Assistant for its Trust & Estates Practice. The ideal candidate will have at least five years of law firm experience and will be responsible for administrative support related to estate planning and administration. Responsibilities include scheduling hearings, managing case files, and filing pleadings. This position requires effective communication skills and the ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• At least five years of law firm administrative experience as an estate planning or estate and trust administration legal assistant.
• Experience with Florida probate is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Handle all aspects of administrative support for attorneys in estate planning.
• File pleadings using various court filing systems.
• Schedule state court hearings.
• Manage electronic and paper case files.

Skills

Administrative support

Effective communication

Attention to detail

Multitasking

Tools

Microsoft Office

iManage

SmartTime

Aderant

Wealth Counsel

Estate Works

Hot Docs

Job description

Overview

Shutts & Bowen, a full-service law firm serving clients locally, nationally, and internationally, is seeking a Legal Assistant for its Trust & Estates Practice in the Miami office.

Responsibilities

• 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 they relate to this role.
• Experience filing pleadings in the state using various court filing systems in accordance with related court requirements.
• Experience working in a mid- to large-sized firm and collaborating with various firm-wide departments in handling multiple responsibilities, including case opening, conflicts check, 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 application software to process reimbursements and payments.
• Knowledge and ability to participate in the client billing process, including entering narratives, tracking billable tasks, calendaring billing due dates, and delivering 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 the attorney and team meet them.
• Schedule client and other appointments in coordination with the attorney.
• Managing electronic and paper case files.
• Handling incoming and outgoing mail and other correspondence.
• Answering, screening, directing, and placing telephone calls and emails.
• Completing tasks and following through with issue resolution, including the ability to meet deadlines and work in a fast-paced environment.
• Must have at least five years of law firm administrative experience as an estate planning or estate and trust administration legal assistant and/or paralegal.
• Florida probate experience is a plus.

Knowledge Requirements

• Ability to work efficiently and effectively under pressure and time constraints.
• Ability to effectively balance multiple assignments and workflow from various 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 iManage, SmartTime, Aderant, Wealth Counsel, Estate Works, and Hot Docs are a plus.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully, including typing/using a keyboard, as well as writing by hand. The employee is regularly required to talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close and distance vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

The above description outlines the general nature of the work 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 be assigned other duties, including work in different functional areas to cover absences or provide relief, equalize peak work periods, or otherwise balance the workload.

Shutts & Bowen LLP is an equal-opportunity employer.