Senior Paralegal Specialist, Private Wealth - New York

Summary

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP is looking for a Senior Paralegal Specialist to support our Private Wealth Department. Willkie is an elite international law firm of approximately 1,300 lawyers located in 16 offices in six countries.

 

The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 15 years’ experience as a Private Wealth Paralegal. The Senior Paralegal Specialist will be responsible for primarily serving high-wealth, high-profile clients on multi-million dollar trusts & estates and probate matters. The successful candidate will be extremely empathetic and capable of offering the highest level of service to our clients and work well with attorneys, co-workers, clients and their advisors, such as accountants and financial planners. Additionally, the Senior Paralegal Specialist will manage junior paralegals including on-boarding, training, and staffing, and other special projects as the needs arise.

 

At Willkie, we believe great people are the key to our success. As such, we are offering a highly competitive compensation package with exceptional benefits. If you are looking to work in a friendly, collaborative environment that affords unique opportunities to expand your professional development, this role is for you.

Responsibilities

• Meet with clients, trustees, and family members, and communicate with beneficiaries
• Prepare estate (706) and gift tax (709) returns, asset spreadsheets, and probate pleadings
• Prepare documents in connection with probate of wills and/or commencing administration proceedings, including drafting pleadings
• Prepare allocation of assets to beneficiaries and/or respective sub-trust
• Prepare required fiduciary accountings for probate estate and trust administration
• Prepare and transmit all necessary papers to transfer assets, including stock transfer documents, recording of real estate papers, and transferring title to motor vehicles
• Ability to handle administration of decedent’s assets, problem solve on how to address and administer decedent’s assets re: title issues and other roadblocks
• Correspond with financial institutions to collect estate assets, work with appraisers for appraisal for real or personal property, obtain financial information from accountants on closely held corporations, partnerships, and sole proprietorships
• Preparing and filing petitions and ongoing accountings and reports related to guardianship proceedings
• Draft ancillary estate planning documents
• Provide training and feedback to paralegals in the New York Private Wealth Group
• Create and maintain effective working relationships with others to facilitate a positive work environment
• Maintain confidentiality and client-service standards, draft professional correspondence, and ensure accuracy and consistency across all work product
• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Minimum 15 years’ of experience as a Private Wealth Paralegal
• College Degree and/or Paralegal Certificate required
• Proficiency in Microsoft office, Adobe Acrobat Pro, and document management systems (e.g., iManage)
• Must be proactive, dependable, extremely organized, and have a strong attention to detail
• Ability to work concurrently on a variety of matters, managing time and expectations
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Excellent judgment, strong accountability and proactiveness
• Strong drafting and proofreading skills
• Comfort with financial statements and an aptitude for organizing complex information and maintaining meticulous records
• Knowledge and experience of probate and trust administration process for complex taxable estates.
• Demonstrates independent judgment in selecting appropriate forms and applying procedural rules governing probate and trust administration, including all required filings.

ADA Requirements

• Ability to sit at a desk most of the working day and walk short distances.
• Needs manual dexterity, speed, and accuracy in handling office equipment.
• Ability to work efficiently and accurately in an atmosphere of frequent interruption.
• Ability to work in close proximity to other individuals.
• Ability to carry light objects, e.g., files, small objects, and supplies a short distance.

Employment Status

• Exempt
• Hybrid (in-office required 3 days/week)

Pay Range

USD $200,000.00 - USD $215,000.00 /Yr.

Pay Range Statement

The salary range for this role represents the Firm’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. Actual compensation will be dependent upon a number of factors, including but not limited to, the candidate’s relevant experience, qualifications and location. Willkie offers a comprehensive suite of benefit programs to all eligible employees. A summary of available benefits can be found here in the Career section of the Firm’s website.

EEO Statement

Willkie Farr & Gallagher is an Equal Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon actual or perceived: race (including hair texture, protective hairstyles and other traits associated with race), color, age, religious creed, citizenship, citizenship status and alienage, nationality, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity or creed, disability, genetic information or medical condition, reproductive health decision making, pregnancy or maternity, paternity, marital or civil partnership status, caregiver status, gender (including gender identity, expression, nonconformity, gender reassignment or status as a transgender individual), sex, sexual orientation or preference, veteran or military status, height, weight, any other characteristic protected by law or any combination thereof. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities in our recruiting process. If you need any assistance or accommodations due to a disability, please let the hiring manager know.

California Applicants

Pursuant to the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance (FCIHO) and the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider qualified applicant with arrest and conviction records.