Legal Staff Paralegal in Bangor, ME

Law Firm

Bangor, ME

Legal Staff Paralegal in Bangor, ME

Legal Staff

No

Job Title: Legal Assistant - Trusts & Estates Practice Group
Salary: Commensurate with experience
Experience: High school diploma required, advanced degree or certification in legal or paralegal studies preferred

Department: Trusts & Estates

Law Firm Summary:
The Law Firm is seeking a Legal Assistant to join our Trusts & Estates Practice Group. Reporting to attorneys, this position will assist with document preparation, routine client communication, and general assistance as needed. The Legal Assistant will also provide support to the five paralegals in the department and other employees.

Duties and Responsibilities:
• Adheres to ethical guidelines and maintains confidentiality with respect to firm clients and business operations
• Handles word processing, transcribing, editing, and copying
• Organizes and prepares documents, information packets, presentations, and exhibits
• Coordinates monthly billing for assigned attorneys
• Drafts various legal documents including letters, wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and memoranda
• Manages attorneys' and paralegals' calendars and workflows
• Initiates and responds to telephone calls, handles mail, and drafts responses to correspondence
• Reviews and edits attorneys' time entries
• Coordinates travel arrangements for attorneys and maintains records of CLE sessions
• Checks for client conflicts, opens new matters, creates and maintains case files
• Schedules and arranges meetings, calls, and conferences with clients and others
• Maintains an electronic docket/tickler system and follows up with attorneys regarding pending matters and deadlines
• Performs time entry for work performed when appropriate
• Adheres to firm values, policies, and procedures
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Netdocs, Aderant, PDF Docs, Adobe, and phone systems
• Assists with various office tasks such as filing and time-sensitive projects
• Other duties and projects as assigned

Practice Group Specific Duties and Responsibilities:
• Supports Fiduciary Committee
• Drafts estate planning documents
• Maintains tickler/task system for estate planning activities
• Maintains client wills database
• Organizes and maintains contents of Firm's safes or safe deposit boxes holding original estate planning documents

Qualifications:
• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Advanced degree or certification in legal or paralegal studies preferred
• Attention to detail and accuracy
• Strong written, oral communication, proofreading, and interpersonal skills
• Proficient in English language
• Skilled in use of modern office equipment and computer technology
• Ability to handle work efficiently and confidentially
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment and under pressure
• Timeliness and ability to meet deadlines
• Team player with ability to work with employees at all levels
• Proficient in Microsoft Office suite, experience with pdfDocs a plus
• Ability to follow instructions and ask questions when needed

Physical Demands and Work Environment:
• Must be able to walk, talk, hear, use hands to handle, feel or operate objects, tools, controls, a mouse and keyboard, and reach with hands and arms
• Must have close vision and the ability to adjust focus
• Must be able to work scheduled hours as determined by the firm
• Attendance and punctuality are required
• Must be able to push, pull, lift, and/or carry up to 30 pounds
• Work environment is moderately quiet

This job description is subject to change at any time at the discretion of the law firm.