Estate and Succession Planning Legal Assistant

4.29.2025

LOCATION: Troy

JOB SUMMARY:

Under general direction of attorneys and paralegals, the legal assistant is responsible for providing administrative support in the Estate and Succession Planning Practice Group.  This includes, but is not limited to, preparation of estate planning documents and probate pleadings, coordinating estate plan signings, updating and maintaining client binders, maintaining attorney calendars, drafting correspondence, document assembly and distribution to clients. 

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties within the scope of the job classification.

• Maintain digital client files according to accepted legal practices and Firm policy.
• Provide client matter management assistance.
• Prepare a variety of correspondence, memoranda and legal documents including probate estate administration pleadings, wills, trusts, deeds, powers of attorney and other estate planning documents.
• Scan and save monthly bank and financial statements by year.
• Scan and save relevant tax information for estate and trust taxes while maintaining a real-time estate and trust tax log.
• Communicate with clients, fiduciaries and beneficiaries.
• Maintain attorney(s) calendar by planning and scheduling meetings, conferences, teleconferences, and travel.
• Document and input attorney(s) reimbursable expenses.
• Open new client matters and maintain up-to-date current client matters.
• Maintain client confidence by keeping attorney/client information confidential.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Possess excellent written and verbal skills.
• Good proofreading, grammar and editing skills.
• Responsible, organized, detail-oriented and a problem solver.
• Able to handle multiple tasks in a timely manner.
• Comprehensive knowledge and experience with the following software programs preferred: Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint) and AdobeDC.
• Experience using HotDocs is helpful.
• Experience using ProSystems Fx is helpful.
• High production skills.
• Able to work independently with minimal supervision. 
• Ability to interact professionally with all levels of employees.
• Use good judgment to make decisions appropriate to level of responsibilities.
• Ability to learn new skills and systems quickly.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND/OR TRAINING:

• Minimum five years of relevant legal support work.

To submit your resume or for information regarding current career opportunities, please contact recruiting@butzel.com