Paralegal

Pettis Webber Pacific P.S.; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 34,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

Pettis Webber Pacific P.S. seeks an exceptional Paralegal to support estate planning and elder law matters in a dynamic Washington, DC area firm. This role emphasizes responsibility, confidentiality, and direct client interaction in a fast-moving environment.

You will work under Attorneys, manage deadlines, review documents, and assist with client meetings, signing appointments, and billing while learning and growing your legal skills.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Experience as a Paralegal or in a similar professional role requiring strong organization, attention to detail, client communication, and follow-through.
• Ability to learn, understand, and apply complex information, including legal concepts, documents, and client information.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple matters, deadlines, and changing priorities.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriately handle sensitive personal and legal information.
• Reliable follow-through, accountability, and ability to take responsibility for assigned work.
• Proficiency with office technology, computer systems, and common office software.
• Ability to follow established procedures and workflows while using good judgment.
• Ability to work independently while also communicating and collaborating effectively with a team.
• Current Washington State Notary Public commission, or ability and willingness to obtain and maintain one.
• Valid driver's license, current auto insurance, and regular access to a personal vehicle for occasional Firm-related travel and off-site needs, sometimes with little advance notice.
• Ability to perform occasional light physical tasks, including lifting up to 25 pounds.

Responsibilities

• Work under the direction of an Attorney to carry out the legal work necessary to implement clients' estate plans.
• Develop a thorough understanding of assigned matters, including client circumstances, planning goals, legal documents, outstanding information, questions, and next steps.
• Review client information and documents for completeness, accuracy, and consistency.
• Review draft estate planning documents for completeness and consistency with client information and Attorney direction.
• Prepare and organize information and materials needed for client meetings.
• Conduct meetings when attorney-level legal discussion is not required.
• Communicate directly with clients regarding information needed, progress of their legal work, questions within the scope of the role, and next steps.
• Recognize questions requiring legal judgment and bring them to the Attorney with the relevant facts and context.
• Conduct signing appointments in accordance with Firm procedures and checklists.
• Maintain accurate records of client communications, meetings, questions, decisions, and material developments.
• Monitor assigned matters and follow through on legal work and outstanding items through completion.
• Maintain accurate and timely billing and time entries.
• Maintain confidentiality and comply with Firm policies and applicable professional requirements.
• Participate in case workshops, team meetings, training, and process improvement efforts.
• Communicate professionally, respectfully, and compassionately with clients, family members, coworkers, and others.

Skills

Organization

Attention to detail

Client communication

Follow-through

Confidentiality

Office software

Independent work

Notary Public

Driver's license

Physical ability

Learning ability

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

We are looking for an exceptional Paralegal who wants to do work that matters.

This is a demanding job. It is also an opportunity to learn, grow, work directly with clients, and make a real difference in people's lives. We have high standards for our work, and we are looking for someone who wants to meet them.

This is a role for someone who thrives on responsibility. Someone who takes pride in being dependable, notices what needs to be done, and takes the initiative to do it. Someone who sets a high standard for their own work and follows through without needing to be reminded. Someone who wants to understand the work, not simply complete whatever task happens to be in front of them. You will be working in a busy environment with multiple matters moving at different stages. Things need to keep moving, details need to be tracked, and people need to be able to count on one another. We want someone who finds that kind of responsibility motivating, not overwhelming. We will train you. We will give you direction, feedback, and support. We expect you to learn, ask questions, think through problems, use good judgment, and become increasingly confident in your ability to handle the work. We value someone who appreciates good direction, is open to feedback, and wants to keep getting better at what they do. You should be comfortable learning from others and looking for opportunities to improve. We also want to be clear about what we don't want. We are not looking for someone who waits to be told what to do, needs constant reminders, does only what is specifically assigned, or becomes frustrated by having responsibility. We are not looking for someone who needs to be pushed to care about the quality of their work. If being accountable, staying engaged, and taking responsibility for getting things done sounds annoying to you, please don't apply.

This is a team environment, and your work matters to the people around you. We expect people to be dependable, willing to help, and willing to address problems and work toward solutions. We also value people who approach others with maturity, respect, and a willingness to understand different perspectives.

Most importantly, our clients matter. They are trusting us with important decisions about their lives, families, and futures. We want people who care about doing good work for them and who want to make a positive difference in their lives.

We also recommend reading The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. It is one of the guides we use in how we approach our work and our relationships with one another. If the ideas resonate with you, that may tell you something about what it is like to work here.

Compensation:

$25 - $27 hourly depending on experience & demonstrated capability

Responsibilities:

• Work under the direction of an Attorney to carry out the legal work necessary to implement clients' estate plans
• Develop a thorough understanding of assigned matters, including client circumstances, planning goals, legal documents, outstanding information, questions, and next steps
• Review client information and documents for completeness, accuracy, and consistency
• Review draft estate planning documents for completeness and consistency with client information and Attorney direction
• Prepare and organize information and materials needed for client meetings
• Conduct meetings when attorney-level legal discussion is not required
• Communicate directly with clients regarding information needed, progress of their legal work, questions within the scope of the role, and next steps
• Recognize questions requiring legal judgment and bring them to the Attorney with the relevant facts and context
• Conduct signing appointments in accordance with Firm procedures and checklists
• Maintain accurate records of client communications, meetings, questions, decisions, and material developments
• Monitor assigned matters and follow through on legal work and outstanding items through completion
• Maintain accurate and timely billing and time entries
• Maintain confidentiality and comply with Firm policies and applicable professional requirements
• Participate in case workshops, team meetings, training, and process improvement efforts
• Communicate professionally, respectfully, and compassionately with clients, family members, coworkers, and others

Qualifications:

Required

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Experience working as a Paralegal or in a comparable professional role requiring strong organization, attention to detail, client communication, and follow-through
• Ability to learn, understand, and apply complex information, including legal concepts, documents, and client information
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple matters, deadlines, and changing priorities
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriately handle sensitive personal and legal information
• Reliable follow-through, accountability, and ability to take responsibility for assigned work
• Proficiency with office technology, computer systems, and common office software
• Ability to follow established procedures and workflows while using good judgment when something falls outside the normal process
• Ability to work independently while also communicating and collaborating effectively with a team
• Current Washington State Notary Public commission, or ability and willingness to obtain and maintain one
• Valid driver's license, current auto insurance, and regular access to a personal vehicle for occasional Firm-related travel and off-site needs, sometimes with little advance notice
• Ability to perform occasional light physical tasks, including lifting up to 25 pounds

Preferred

• Experience working in a law firm or other professional legal environment
• Experience with estate planning, elder law, trusts, incapacity planning, Medicaid, long-term care, or related areas
• Experience reviewing and organizing legal documents and detailed client information
• Experience working directly with clients in a professional or legal setting

About Company

We are an estate planning and elder law firm serving individuals and families as they make important decisions about their future. Our work focuses on thoughtful legal planning that helps clients protect what matters most and navigate significant life transitions with clarity and confidence. Our firm operates in a structured, fast-moving environment where precision, accountability, clear communication, and consistent follow-through are essential to how we deliver our work. We are a service-based practice focused on reducing uncertainty for clients and providing them with well-prepared, forward-looking legal guidance. We value reliability, professionalism, and consistently high-quality work performed with care, attention to detail, and respect for the importance of the matters we handle.