Description
DLA Piper is a global law firm with lawyers located in more than 40 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific, positioning us to help companies and individuals with their legal needs around the world. Our mission is to be the leading global business law firm. DLA Piper (Canada) LLP is one of Canada’s leading law firms with a team of innovative, proactive and dedicated lawyers, administrative and support staff who serve our clients in Canada and around the world. As one of British Columbia’s Top Employers from 2007 to 2024, we offer competitive salaries and benefits including a generous, top-rated employee pension plan.
If you are talented in providing unprecedented service, are enthusiastic and a team player, we are looking for you! We are currently looking for a Paralegal to join our Taxation & Estates service group in our Vancouver office and invite you to review the job description below.
As a Drafting Paralegal in our Wills, Estates and Trusts group, you will provide essential support to our lawyers by assisting with the preparation and drafting of legal documents related to estate and capacity planning. You will play a key role in the preparation of relevant legal documents and the management of client files. This is a busy position and department, and best suited for someone who enjoys an intellectual challenge, a high pace of work and who has highly developed organizational and multi-tasking skills.
Duties & Responsibilities
• Supporting a team of lawyers practicing estate, trust and incapacity planning law;
• Preparing:
o estate and incapacity planning documents including wills, insurance declarations, RRSP/RRIF designations, powers of attorney, representation agreements, personal declarations and nominations of committee;
o family, alter ego and joint partner trust deeds and associated documents including trustee resolutions, deeds of appointment, deeds of gift and deeds of amendment of trust;
o reporting packages for estate and trust planning matters; and
o letters, emails and other communications to clients, financial institutions and trust companies to gather information and confirm details;
• Reviewing and proofreading legal documents to ensure accuracy and consistency;
• Organizing trust and estate planning projects from initial intake to reporting;
• Maintaining detailed records of changes and updates to estate planning and trust documents;
• Maintaining and updating trust record books as required, ensuring accuracy and compliance;
• Managing client files, ensuring proper organization and confidentiality;
• Liaising with external parties such as trustees, financial advisors, and beneficiaries;
• Coordinating document execution; including arranging signing appointments;
• Performing land title, corporate and other searches to obtain information regarding personal property, and estate and trust assets;
• Updating CLE’s ‘Wills and Personal Planning Precedents: An Annotated Guide’ as required; and
• Other administrative duties as required.
Knowledge, Qualities & Experience Required
• Previous experience as a legal administrative assistant or paralegal is an asset, particularly within Wills and Estates or Trusts law;
• Able to compose standard letters, emails and other documents with minimal supervision;
• Excellent organizational and time management abilities required to prioritize a high volume of tasks or competing priorities;
• Knowledge of Wills, Estates and Succession Act preferred;
• Proficient in coordinating and maintaining calendars for multiple lawyers; ensuring timely scheduling of meetings, appointments, and deadlines while avoiding conflicts;
• Dedicated to providing high quality service;
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with both lawyers and clients;
• Strong attention to detail; and
• Proven problem-solving skills with the ability to visualize and deliver creative solutions.
We thank all candidates for their interest, however, only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
Should you require any accommodation during the recruitment process, for example as a result of a disability, please let us know.
Apply here.