Job Description:
Our client, a leading Florida law firm, is seeking a Legal Assistant to join its Trust and Estates team in Sarasota, Florida. This position performs a variety of legal administrative support duties and delivers high-quality service to clients, exhibiting a commitment to integrity and excellence. Candidates for the role must have a thorough knowledge of law firm and practice-specific administrative processes and procedures, information technology systems, research tools, and a broad-based understanding of the clients, matters, and associated practices. The scope of responsibilities includes prioritizing, managing, following through on multiple projects, and communicating effectively, courteously, and professionally with clients, attorneys, staff, and peers.
We are seeking a professional with a positive work ethic who loves what they do because they know they are on the front line in providing a high level of service to our attorneys, staff, and clients. We think that means you need great people skills, patience, and the ability to multitask and prioritize. You need to be proactive and confident in your commitment to our attorneys and clients by identifying what they need and providing it.
Essential Functions
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.
Using various court filing systems, must have experience filing pleadings in the state, following the related court requirements.
Experience working in a mid to large-sized firm and collaborating with various firm-wide departments in the handling of various responsibilities, including case opening, conflicts checks, billing, training, records, etc.
Effective oral and written communication skills are needed to draft and proofread correspondence, pleadings, and other legal documents.
Experience tracking firm, attorney, and client expenses and using an application software to process reimbursements and payments.
Knowledge and ability to participate in the client billing process, including assisting attorneys in entering narratives, tracking billable tasks, making edits, calendaring billing due dates, and delivery of bills to clients in electronic and paper forms.
Schedule state court hearings per court requirements.
Understand court requirements to calculate deadlines and ensure they are met by the attorney and team.
Schedule client and other appointments in coordination with the attorney.
Possess some knowledge of special events planning and coordination to assist in organizing attorney business development events.
Managing electronic and paper case files.
Handling incoming and outgoing mail and other correspondence. Answering, screening, directing, and placing telephone calls and emails.
Consistently deliver outstanding client service and quality.
The above description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being 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 perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or to otherwise balance the workload.
Education and Experience
Must have a two-year degree or comparable experience.
Must have a minimum of five years of law firm administrative experience as an estate planning or estate and trust administration legal assistant. Florida probate experience desired.
Experience working with multiple attorneys is required.
To learn more, contact:
Sydney Frankel, Legal Staffing Recruiter