Real Estate / Estate Planning Paralegal

Job Description

Job Description

Location: Harrisburg, PA (River Chase Office Center)

Position Type: Full-Time

About the Firm

Smigel, Anderson & Sacks is a premier Harrisburg-based law firm dedicated to providing high-quality legal services with a personal, client-centered approach. We pride ourselves on maintaining the highest ethical standards while fostering a supportive and professional work environment. Our "Business Team" handles a diverse range of matters, from complex commercial real estate developments to sensitive estate planning for individuals and families.

Job Summary

We are seeking a detail-oriented, proactive Paralegal to support our Real Estate and Estate Planning practice groups. The ideal candidate will have experience navigating the complexities of property transactions and the sensitive nature of trust and estate administration. You will work closely with attorneys Gerald K. Morrison, Deborah E. Crum, and our broader business team to ensure excellence in client service and legal documentation.

Key Responsibilities

Real Estate Support:

• Transaction Management: Assist in all phases of residential and commercial real estate transactions, including acquisitions, sales, and mortgage financing.
• Documentation: Draft and review purchase agreements, construction contracts, notes, mortgages, easement agreements, and 1031 exchange documents.
• Title Services: Conduct and review title searches, prepare title insurance commitments and policies (as a licensed agent for Commonwealth Land Title Insurance Co.), and resolve title defects.
• Development & Zoning: Assist with subdivision, zoning, and land development approval filings and municipal realty tax recovery processes.
• Closing Coordination: Prepare settlement statements (CD/ALTA), coordinate with lenders and brokers, and manage the execution of closing packages.

Estate Planning & Administration Support:

• Drafting: Prepare initial drafts of Wills, Revocable Living Trusts, Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts, Powers of Attorney, and Healthcare Directives (Living Wills).
• Asset Management: Assist clients with the transfer of assets into trusts and coordinate monetary gift-giving strategies.
• Estate Administration: Assist in the probate process, including the preparation of inheritance tax returns, inventories, and accountings.
• Client Interaction: Serve as a primary point of contact for clients, maintaining the strict confidentiality and sensitivity required in estate matters.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree or Paralegal Certificate from an ABA-approved program preferred.
• Experience: 3+ years of experience in real estate law or estate planning (experience in both is a significant plus).
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in real estate closing software (e.g., SoftPro), Microsoft Office Suite, and estate tax software.
• Soft Skills: Exceptional organizational skills, the ability to manage multiple deadlines, and a compassionate communication style when dealing with grieving or anxious clients.
• Standards: A commitment to the highest legal and ethical standards, aligning with the "SAS LLP" philosophy of service.

\nCompany Description

Join a dedicated team of attorneys and paralegals committed to assisting clients achieve their goals in a cooperative professional environment.
We are committed to: Service to clients, Appreciation for each other and Satisfaction in an excellent work product.

Company Description

Join a dedicated team of attorneys and paralegals committed to assisting clients achieve their goals in a cooperative professional environment.\r\nWe are committed to: Service to clients, Appreciation for each other and Satisfaction in an excellent work product.