Paralegal

BakerHostetler is looking for an experienced Paralegal to join its Private Wealth Group in the Firms Cleveland office. This is a non-exempt position that reports to the Cleveland offices Human Resources Manager and works with the attorneys and staff in the Firms Private Wealth Group. The ideal candidate will possess excellent people and organizational skills and will have the ability to work in a fast-paced environment. This role requires creativity and the ability to think innovatively and exercise independent judgment when necessary while handling sensitive and confidential information.

Responsibilities:

• Handling complex probate trust and estate administration.
• Preparing federal gift and estate tax returns.
• Interfacing with clients and acting as liaison between clients/attorney and court/attorney.
• Delivering excellent work and superior service to the Firms clients and contributing to the Firms reputation for excellence by providing highly efficient and effective support to the attorneys.
• Other duties as requested and assigned.

Requirements:

• Bachelors degree and a minimum of 5 years of law firm experience. Equivalent combination of education and experience can offset education requirement.
• Advanced skills with Excel Outlook and Word. Proven aptitude to learn new software applications (specifically GEMS as the current software used to prepare federal gift and estate tax returns).
• Interpersonal communication skills necessary to maintain effective relationships with attorneys clients and staff in person by email and telephone. Ability to provide a high level of customer service and be able to clearly and effectively communicate both verbally and in writing.
• Must be detailed oriented and able to work independently and in a team environment.
• Fundamental knowledge of legal terminology court rules and procedures.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

Ability to speak effectively with all levels of clients and professional and support staff. Interpersonal communication skills necessary to maintain effective relationships with partners attorneys clients and staff and to exhibit a high degree of responsiveness diplomacy and professionalism in these interactions. Ability to effectively and promptly respond to common inquiries or complaints from all levels of professional and support staff clients regulatory agencies or members of the business community. Ability to read and interpret documents such as operating instructions procedure manuals general business periodicals professional journals technical procedures governmental regulations financial reports and legal documents.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

Ability to add subtract multiply and divide in all units of measure using whole numbers common fractions and decimals. Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts proportions percentages area and circumference.

REASONING ABILITY:

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written oral or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations. Ability to define problems collect data establish facts and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of instructions and deal with several abstract and concrete variables. Exhibit independent thinking and decision making. Ability to think strategically develop tactics and execute pragmatically.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that should be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger handle or feel objects documents books pen/pencil paper controls and manipulate a keyboard and input data into a PC; and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to walk. The employee is occasionally required to use hands to prepare correspondence and reports on a personal computer. The employee is occasionally required to stand and reach with hands and arms. And stoop kneel bend crouch or crawl. Ability to operate a variety of standard office equipment including a computer copy and facsimile machines. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision distance vision peripheral vision depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES:

Demonstrated ability to multi-task and be detail-oriented with strong organizational skills. Strong analytical and communication skills both oral and written. Excellent organizational and planning skills with ability to prioritize multiple tasks and projects to meet deadlines. Outstanding creativity; flexibility and persistence; motivation and energy with the ability to work with little supervision and collaborate with other members of the team. Ability to work overtime when needed. Work occasionally requires more than 40 hours per week to perform the essential duties of the position. A tolerance for uncertainty and an ability to prioritize and complete simultaneous projects with minimal supervision. Strong project management skills. Project and team management experience with attention to detail and a willingness to roll up sleeves and operate at whatever level is needed to accomplish tasks. Thorough understanding of technologies that can be applied to firm operations and enhance working efficiency. Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with strict deadlines. Ability to exercise discretion with confidential and sensitive information. Must be able to perform essential duties of the position with time constraints and interruptions. A strong client service approach and team orientation. Demonstrate good judgment tact and flexibility under pressure in a mixed-matrix environment with many stakeholders and potentially competing priorities.

Why Join BakerHostetler

For more than a century BakerHostetler has been committed to excellence collaboration and innovation. With more than 1000 attorneys across 18 offices nationwide we rely on talented professionals to help deliver exceptional client service. What sets us apart At BakerHostetler your work truly mattersyoull have a voice in shaping growth strategies work alongside a supportive and collaborative team and be valued as a strategic partner not just a staff member. We offer competitive compensation comprehensive benefits and a culture built on respect teamwork and professional development. If youre looking for a place where you can make an impact grow your career and be part of something bigger you belong at BakerHostetler.

Benefits:
Offering competitive pay and benefits while providing a collegial and respectful work environment is part of our commitment to fostering a workplace that values employees.

Our comprehensive and competitive benefit program includes:

• Competitive salaries and a performance bonus program
• Group health dental and vision insurance
• Multiple plan options and various benefit levels
• Same-sex domestic partner coverage
• Pre-tax premiums
• Coverage begins on date of hire
• Group term life/AD&D and voluntary supplemental group universal life insurance
• Voluntary accident insurance self and family
• Long-term care insurance
• Short-term disability benefits
• Long-term disability benefits
• Pre-tax benefit programs dependent care health care reimbursement and transit/qualified parking (in most cities)
• Retirement program voluntary 401(k) plan

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit their resume to our online job posting.

The expected annual salary range for this position is $80000- $110000. The salary offered in any location will be determined by a wide range of factors including but not limited to experience level education/training geographic region and relevant skills. BakerHostetler offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits program including group health dental and vision insurance paid holidays (11 days) 401(k) plan parental leave family care program wellness program life and accident insurance and short and long-term disability.

Baker & Hostetler LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer.