Trust and Estate Practice Assistant

Saul Ewing LLP; Irvine (CA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work schedule

Job summary

Saul Ewing LLP in Los Angeles, CA seeks a Practice Assistant (Trust and Estates) to provide comprehensive administrative support to assigned attorneys. You will draft and edit documents, manage calendars, coordinate meetings, handle client intake, and assist with probate administration and filings.

The role requires advanced Microsoft Office skills, 60+ wpm, excellent communication, and the ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced legal environment.

Qualifications

• Advanced Microsoft Office skills (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Typing 60+ wpm.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; professional demeanor.

Responsibilities

• Create and edit complex documents from multiple sources; proofread and redline.
• Review bills for accuracy; prepare transmittal letters to clients.
• Maintain client/internal files; organize documents in the firm’s DMS.

Skills

Microsoft Office

60+ wpm typing

Excellent communication

Client service

Deadline-driven

Strong organizational skills

Education

High School Diploma or GED

5+ years legal admin experience (preferred)

Tools

Document management systems

Time & billing software

E-filing systems

Job description

JOB TITLE: Practice Assistant (Trust and Estates)

OFFICE LOCATION: Los Angeles, Orange County

DEPARTMENT: Practice Assistants

REPORTS TO: Office Manager

FLSA STATUS: Full time/Non-Exempt

POSITION SUMMARY: Responsible for administrative support for assigned attorneys. Duties include creating and editing documents, filing, completing client/matter intake forms, finalizing bills, submitting expenses, entering time, answering incoming calls, coordinating meetings, managing attorney’s contacts, and maintaining calendars.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Create and edit complex documents from multiple sources, including correspondence, memos, spreadsheets, and presentations. Proofread and redline work for spelling, grammar, and layout, making appropriate changes. Responsible for accuracy and timeliness of final work product.
• Review bills for accuracy and prepare transmittal letters to clients.
• Establish, update and maintain client and internal files, including saving and organizing documents in the firm’s document management system. Retrieve information from files when needed.
• Open and review incoming mail. Notify legal personnel of deadline-sensitive correspondence. Draft written responses when necessary, or reply by phone or email as needed.
• Reconcile and submit attorney expenses.
• Proactively manage attorney calendars, schedule in-person and virtual meetings, and coordinate conferences, meetings, and appointments. Coordination may include restaurant research and booking, ordering of marketing resources, facilitating hospitality and technology needs, travel arrangements, etc.
• Manage incoming and outgoing electronic communications (including telephone, email, and fax), take accurate messages, route appropriately and respond to all inquiries.
• Maintain attorneys’ contacts, including adding contacts to the firm’s CRM system and appropriate mailing lists and working with attorneys to keep contact information updated.
• Process client matter intake forms.
• Assist with the preparation of probate administration paperwork, including administration accounts, court petitions, orders, deeds, certifications, etc. and assist with coordinating post-death non-probate administration.
• Coordinate probate court filings and recordings, familiarity with local rules and probate court.
• Assist with the preparation of Gift Tax, Estate Tax, and Fiduciary income tax returns.
• Communicate with clients and professional advisors relating to routine acts of estate administration.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS REQUIRED:

• Advanced skills in Microsoft Office, including Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Typing skills of 60+ wpm.
• Excellent communication, written and verbal skills, positive attitude, dependability, flexibility, good judgment, initiative and professionalism.
• Strong client service skills
• The ability to meet deadlines, handle a high volume of work timely and accurately and display strong organizational skills.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• High School Diploma or GED.
• 5+ years of legal administrative assistant experience preferred.
• Experience with document management, time and billing, client matter intake, and e-filing systems preferred.
• Experience in State Probate administration and knowledge of estate planning documents and concepts.
• Experience in local probate administration.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Individual in this position will provide additional assistance and support as directed by their supervisor.
• This job description is subject to change at any time.
• Work is performed in a professional office environment and requires the following during the work day: Must be able to remain in a stationary position for long periods of time (working at a computer) Repetitive movement (i.e. heavy computer/keyboard use).
• May require occasional light lifting (files, copy paper, etc.).

PAY TYPE: Hourly

COMPENSATION: The pay for this position will be determined based on relevant skills, experience, education, external market data, internal equity, and other job-related factors. The anticipated pay range for this role is between $90,000 - $105,000 annually.

Saul Ewing follows a hybrid work schedule. Candidates must reside within a reasonable commuting distance of one of our office locations.