Paralegal (Private Client & Tax)

About Withersworldwide

Law.com International's Law Firm of the Year 2021

For 125 years, our firm has focused on and helped successful people, families, entrepreneurs family businesses, governments and institutions negotiate the wide range of legal issues they face in their business and personal lives. Over time, we have gained valuable insights into the ways wealth can be generated, preserved, deployed and enhanced. We assist our clients in a variety of industry sectors including real estate, manufacturing, motorsport, luxury brands, sport, hotels and hospitality, technology, energy, art and cultural assets, life sciences, charities and philanthropy and financial services. With 16 offices our experience means we can see the global picture. We provide legal advice across a range of different practice areas including estate planning, personal and corporate tax and, corporate, banking and finance, access to capital (both private and public) both equity and debt, real estate, intellectual property, immigration, international trust structuring, philanthropy, luxury assets, international probate, public international law and international arbitration. 

Private Client and Tax Division

Today, we are the only truly global law firm dedicated to the personal and private capital needs of high net worth individuals and families. Many of our clients are international families with interests in a number of locations. In a fast-moving and increasingly compliance focused world, the need for integrated advice that reaches across borders has never been greater. With offices across Europe, the United States and Asia-Pacific we provide coverage that other law firms in this area cannot match. Our team of experienced private client solicitors continually look for opportunities to ensure we have a strong presence in the locations where our clients live, work and invest. Our advice to fiduciaries covers the design and implementation of new plans, as well as the modernization and consolidation of older trusts. We also assist them in complying with the complex rules surrounding investments, accounting, taxes and compliance. This practice generates approximately 55% of the partnership's revenues and is the largest in the world with over 300 people. We advise on domestic and international tax, estate planning, succession and mental capacity laws in Europe, the US and Asia, as well as facilitating our client's philanthropic endeavours. We have immigration teams in the major financial centres and are well placed to deal with tax investigation and litigation cases. 

Clients from every walk of life

Our clients have achieved success in many fields, from senior executives to multi-generational families, owners, managers and investors in private capital and some of the world’s wealthiest people. In Europe we have represented 70% of The Sunday Times top 100 Rich List and in Asia we act for 35% of the Hong Kong Forbes Rich List. We act not just as private client lawyers but trusted advisers, looking to build strong relationships with you and with other professionals advising you. This is one of the reasons we are proud to have been asked to represent families down the generations. Our mission: To be recognised as the top, and only truly global, law firm offering integrated domestic and international private client and tax advice.

Accolades

The private client team is ranked top in our offices around the world by the leading legal directories and have won and been shortlisted for a number of well recognised awards over the years

Scope of Responsibility

This position will assist attorneys in the Private Client & Tax Group with all aspects of estate planning, post-death trust and probate administration, and ongoing trust administration. The role requires frequent contact with others inside and outside the firm including immediate partners, associates, senior paralegals, as well as clients, accountants, appraisers, and other professionals.  Primary functions are described below:  

Primary Trust and Estate Functions

• Responsible for all aspects of estate and trust administration in highly sophisticated environment
• Inventory and valuation of assets, retitling and distribution of assets
• Preparation of Federal estate and gift tax returns
• Analysis of estate, gift, income and property tax issues
• Responsible for trust funding and continuing administration of trusts
• Preparation of documentation to transfer title to assets and provide for distributions to trust beneficiaries, including deeds, assignments, receipts and releases
• Preparation of probate and court documents
• Preparation and review of court filed fiduciary accountings

Related Real Estate Functions

• Analysis of title documents to ascertain current vesting and understand title concerns; coordination with title companies to resolve title issues and obtain title insurance and title insurance endorsements
• Analysis of recording requirements and procedures in various counties
• Preparation of deeds, affidavits, deeds of trust and other real estate documents for recording
• Analysis of Proposition 13 reassessment issues and knowledge of structuring to avoid reassessment exclusion; preparation of related documents including change in ownership reports and reassessment exclusion claims
• Interface with County Assessor to address property tax issues

Related Corporate & Non-profit Functions

• Prepare all documents required to form corporations (both business and nonprofit corporations), partnerships and limited liability companies in any state
• Coordinate filings with Secretaries of State in any state
• Understand and analyze various maintenance and operational issues facing entities; assist with compliance and coordination
• Prepare applications for tax-exempt status and various registrations required for tax-exempt organization
• Prepare minutes, resolutions and other necessary paperwork
• Create and maintain corporate record books
• Complete stock certificates and ledgers of shareholders and owners
• Prepare documents to assign interests in various entities
• Complete paperwork and processes to dissolve various entities

Specific Skills Desired

• 2+ years as an estate and trust paralegal
• Strong working knowledge of Excel, Microsoft Word, and Outlook; Experience with Visio and document management systems (iManage or FileSite) preferred
• Solid command of the English language including excellent spelling, grammar, punctuation, form and style
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail: the ability to track deadlines, maintain file integrity, and manage multiple projects to keep them moving forward and on target for completion in advance of deadlines
• Strong communication skills: the ability to express self effectively, both orally and in writing
• Strong Interpersonal skills: the ability to establish effective working relationships with colleagues
• Ability to work independently
• Familiarity with legal terminology pertinent to the area of assignment

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred
• Compliance with California Business and Professions Code §6450

Equal Opportunities Employment Statement

It is the policy of Withersworldwide to provide equal opportunities for all employees in relation to recruitment, training and promotion.  Decisions in these areas will be made only by reference to the requirements of the job and shall not be influenced by any consideration of ethnic origin, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation or disability.

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