Paralegal - Probate & Business Litigation

Cushing & Dolan, P.C.; Waltham (MA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Cushing & Dolan, P.C. is seeking an experienced paralegal to support its litigation team focusing on contested probate, trust, and estate matters in Massachusetts.

The role involves case management, discovery deadlines, court filings, and trial preparation, with additional support for estate administration and planning. The ideal candidate is personable, organized, detail-oriented, questions when needed, and capable of taking initiative to advance matters with attorneys.

Qualifications

• Paralegal certificate from an ABA-approved program, or equivalent education and experience.
• 2+ years of paralegal experience in probate litigation, trusts and estates, or civil litigation.
• Working knowledge of probate court procedures and rules in MA.
• Experience with e-filing systems in state and probate courts.
• Strong computer skills in Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat.
• Excellent organization, ability to manage multiple matters with deadlines.
• Strong writing and proofreading skills.
• Discretion and sound judgment handling confidential matters.

Responsibilities

• Format and file pleadings, petitions, objections, motions, affidavits, and proposed orders in probate and civil courts.
• Track and calendar court deadlines, hearings, statutes of limitation, and response dates.
• Prepare and serve citations, notices, subpoenas, and manage proof of service.
• Organize and manage discovery, including document requests, interrogatories, requests for admission, privilege logs, and productions.
• Coordinate depositions: schedule witnesses and court reporters, prepare exhibits, summarize transcripts.
• Prepare trial and hearing binders, exhibit lists, witness lists, and demonstratives.
• Attend mediations, hearings, and trials to assist attorneys as needed.
• Obtain and review medical, financial, real estate, and prior estate planning records.
• Prepare chronologies, asset tracing schedules, and summaries of financial transactions.
• Draft and review fiduciary accountings and inventories; flag discrepancies for attorney review.
• Conduct public records, docket, and asset searches.
• Prepare probate opening documents, inventories, accountings, and closing documents.
• Assist with estate planning document preparation and file maintenance.
• Coordinate with personal representatives, trustees, accountants, appraisers, and financial institutions.
• Serve as a point of contact for clients, opposing counsel, court clerks, and outside experts under attorney supervision.
• Maintain organized electronic and physical case files; follow firm protocols.
• Assist with conflict checks, engagement letters, and billing entries.

Skills

Organization

Detail-oriented

Communication skills

Discretion

Ability to meet deadlines

Education

ABA-approved paralegal certificate

Equivalent education and experience

Tools

Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)

Adobe Acrobat

Job description

Cushing & Dolan, P.C. is looking for an experienced paralegal to join their litigation department, which has a primary focus in contested probate, trust, and estate matters. Typical duties within this role will be assisting with case management, discovery deadlines, court filings, and trial preparation. The role also includes some support on estate administration and estate planning work. The ideal candidate is personable, organized, detail-oriented, unafraid to ask questions, and can take initiative.

Key Responsibilities

Litigation Support

• Format, and file pleadings, petitions, objections, motions, affidavits, and proposed orders in probate court and in civil courts of general jurisdiction.
• Track and calendar court deadlines, hearings, statutes of limitation, and response dates.
• Prepare and serve citations, notices, and subpoenas, and manage proof of service.
• Organize and manage discovery, including document requests, interrogatories, requests for admission, privilege logs, and document productions.
• Coordinate depositions: schedule witnesses and court reporters, prepare exhibit sets, and summarize transcripts.
• Prepare trial and hearing binders, exhibit lists, witness lists, and demonstratives.
• Attend mediations, hearings, and trials to help attorneys as needed.

Investigation and Financial Analysis

• Obtain and review medical records, financial and bank records, real estate records, and prior estate planning documents.
• Prepare chronologies, asset tracing schedules, and summaries of financial transactions.
• Draft and review fiduciary accountings and inventories, and flag discrepancies for attorney review.
• Conduct public records, docket, and asset searches.

Estate Administration and Planning Support

• Prepare probate opening documents, inventories, accountings, and closing documents.
• Help with estate planning document preparation, execution ceremonies, and file maintenance as needed.
• Coordinate with personal representatives, trustees, accountants, appraisers, and financial institutions.

Client and Case Management

• Serve as a point of contact for clients, opposing counsel, court clerks, and outside experts, under attorney supervision.
• Maintain organized electronic and physical case files in line with firm document management protocols.
• Help with conflict checks, engagement letters, and billing entries.

Qualifications

Required

• Paralegal certificate from an ABA-approved program, or equivalent education and experience.
• 2+ years of paralegal experience in probate litigation, trusts and estates, or civil litigation.
• Working knowledge of probate court procedures and rules in MA.
• Experience with e-filing systems in state and probate courts.
• Strong command of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and Adobe Acrobat.
• Excellent organization skills and the ability to manage multiple matters with competing deadlines.
• Strong writing and proofreading skills.
• Discretion and sound judgment when handling confidential and emotionally sensitive matters.

Preferred

• National paralegal certification (e.g., NALA CP or NFPA RP).
• Experience preparing fiduciary accountings or reviewing financial records.
• Familiarity with litigation support and document review platforms, and with practice management or calendaring software.
• Notary public commission, or willingness to get one.

Core Competencies

• Close attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Professional, empathetic communication with clients who may be grieving or in family conflict.
• A proactive approach to deadline management and case organization.
• Commitment to confidentiality and ethical standards.