Careers

Iowa’s largest firm, Nyemaster Goode, is seeking a skilled paralegal to join its paralegal team in our Des Moines or Ames, Iowa, office. The paralegal would also assist attorneys working out of our Ames, Iowa, office.

The paralegal would assist with all aspects of probate, including preparing estate opening documents, preparing notices and communicating with the executor and beneficiaries, preparing the probate inventory, preparing the final report and closing the estate, and maintaining the firm’s probate docket.

In addition to estates, the paralegal would work on guardianships and conservatorships and court-reporting trusts.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Preparing probate forms.
• Communicating with family members, beneficiaries and creditors of the estate.
• Helping collect and liquidate the deceased’s assets.
• Assessing creditors’ claims.
• Preparing accounting records to track estate assets, income and expenses.
• Possess critical thinking skills, organizational skills, and communication skills.
• Able to meet internal and client-driven deadlines, and deadlines established by court order and court rules.
• Proficient in proofreading and editing documents. Must ensure accuracy, comprehension, and proper grammar and punctuation.
• Obtain documents from client and review for case relevancy.
• Comprehend and comply with all court rules.
• Completion of forms for drafting documents including pleadings, outlines, narrative summaries, chronologies, correspondence reports.
• Manage case documents, including correspondence and legal documents in office filing system and document management system as required.
• Process billing, time entry, and expense reimbursements via internal accounting systems.
• Personal interaction with attorneys and clients for client service.
• On-site daily attendance for secured computer access and client confidentiality.
• You’ll also communicate with clients on the progress of the case, and assist with other documents or paperwork. Writing and communication skills are beneficial, as is the ability to handle the accounting of estate income and expenses.
• Occasional overtime may be required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree and/or Associate Degree with a Paralegal Certification required.
• General probate paralegal experience, minimum two years required.
• Experience with probate and document management software desired.

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS REQUIRED

• Demonstrate ability to communicate in a professional, tactful, and confident manner with external clients and internal customers.
• Experienced in the use of Outlook, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint and Adobe.
• Independent worker, ability to prioritize and complete multiple tasks in a timely manner.
• Competently operates office equipment including computer, fax, calculator, scanner, copier, and telephone system.
• Ability to read, write and perform basic math functions.
• Proficient in knowledge of Relativity or an equivalent e-discovery review platform.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must 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.

• Repetitive hand motion
• Close vision is required
• Maximum lifting requirements up to 30 pounds
• Standing and/or sitting for extended periods of time

We offer a professional environment, as well as an excellent compensation and benefits package.