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Entry Level Estate Planning Paralegal Jobs in Rochester, NY

Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP

Legal Assistant

Rochester, NY · On-site

$20 - $30/hr

Estate Planning * Prepare and maintain various documents, including Wills, Power of Attorney ... Manage E-Filing for Attorneys and Paralegals, especially with Surrogate's Court. * Coordination and ...

All JobsEstate Planning Paralegal JobsEntry Level Estate Planning Paralegal JobsEntry Level Estate Planning Paralegal Jobs in Rochester, NY

Entry Level Estate Planning Paralegal information

See Rochester, NY salary details

$33.1K

$48.7K

$68.6K

How much do entry level estate planning paralegal jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level estate planning paralegal in Rochester, NY is $48,685.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $41,400.00 and $53,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an entry level estate planning paralegal?

Entry level estate planning paralegals are legal professionals who assist attorneys with tasks related to wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and other estate planning documents. They typically handle administrative duties such as drafting legal documents, organizing files, conducting basic legal research, and communicating with clients. While they work under the supervision of an attorney, entry level paralegals gain valuable experience in estate law, often serving as a stepping stone to more advanced roles in the legal field.

What are the typical responsibilities of an entry level estate planning paralegal?

As an entry level estate planning paralegal, you can expect to assist attorneys with drafting wills, trusts, and powers of attorney, as well as preparing probate documents and maintaining client files. You'll often interact with clients to gather necessary information and help coordinate document signings. While much of your work will be supervised, you’ll gradually take on more independent tasks such as conducting legal research and preparing asset inventories. Collaboration with legal assistants, other paralegals, and attorneys is common, and attention to detail is crucial since estate planning documents must be accurate and compliant with state laws.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level estate planning paralegal?

To thrive as an Entry Level Estate Planning Paralegal, you need a solid understanding of legal terminology, document preparation, and estate planning principles, typically supported by a paralegal certificate or associate degree. Familiarity with legal management software, Microsoft Office Suite, and document drafting tools is commonly required. Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and effective communication set standout candidates apart in this role. These skills are crucial to ensure accuracy, maintain compliance, and support attorneys in delivering thorough and timely estate planning services.

How to become an entry level estate planning paralegal?

To become an entry-level estate planning paralegal, candidates typically need a high school diploma or associate degree, with some employers preferring coursework in paralegal studies or related fields. Gaining experience through internships or entry-level legal assistant roles, developing skills in legal research, document preparation, and familiarity with estate planning tools like wills and trusts are beneficial. Certification from a paralegal association can also enhance job prospects.

Is it possible to get an entry level estate planning paralegal job without experience?

Entry level estate planning paralegal positions often do not require prior experience, but candidates typically need strong organizational skills, familiarity with legal documents, and basic knowledge of estate planning concepts. Employers may provide on-the-job training and look for candidates with relevant coursework or internships in paralegal studies or law.

What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Estate Planning Paralegal jobs in Rochester, NY?

For Entry Level Estate Planning Paralegal jobs in Rochester, NY, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Entry Level Estate Planning Paralegal jobs in Rochester, NY look for?

The top searched job categories for Entry Level Estate Planning Paralegal jobs in Rochester, NY are:

What cities near Rochester, NY are hiring for Entry Level Estate Planning Paralegal jobs?

Cities near Rochester, NY with the most Entry Level Estate Planning Paralegal job openings:

Entry Level Estate Planning Paralegal jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Estate Planning Paralegal job openings in Rochester, NY as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 89% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $48,685 per year, or $23.4 per hour.

Legal Assistant

Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP

Rochester, NY • On-site

$20 - $30/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 10 days ago

Job description

Department: Trust & Estates

Location: Buffalo

Classification: Nonexempt

Job Type: Full-time, M-F, 8 AM- 5 PM

 

Company Overview:

Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP is a leading and reputable full-service law firm dedicated to providing exceptional legal services to our clients. With a team of highly skilled and experienced attorneys, we strive to deliver comprehensive and effective solutions to meet the diverse needs of our clients. Headquarters are located in Rochester, NY with additional offices in Albany and Buffalo, NY.

We foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment where every team member is valued and respected. We encourage open communication, teamwork, and professional growth. Our firm promotes a healthy work-life balance and supports the well-being of our employees.

Summary:

We are currently seeking a highly organized and detail-oriented Legal Assistant to join our dedicated Trust & Estate Department. The successful candidate will play a key role in providing administrative support to attorneys, contributing to the efficient operation of our legal practice.


Duties and Responsibilities:


  • Estate Planning
    • Prepare and maintain various documents, including Wills, Power of Attorney, Living Wills, Health Care Proxies, and various Trust Agreements.
  • Attorney Support
    • Anticipate attorney needs by reviewing calendars and preparing necessary documents for client meetings.
    • Manage E-Filing for Attorneys and Paralegals, especially with Surrogate's Court.
  • Coordination and Oversight
    • Coordinate appointments, meetings, teleconferences, video conferences, and business travel.
  • Trust Duties
    • Work with trustee to maintain trust files, annual accountings, tax documents, and returns.
    • Assist trustee with beneficiary requests and distributions.
    • Ensure effective communication with co-trustees, beneficiaries, financial advisors, and government regulators.
  • Document Management
    • Prepare and proofread legal documents, ensuring accuracy and adherence to firm standards.
    • Perform the opening and closing of files as requested.
    • Document management is of high importance, requiring confidence that all documents are promptly scanned and saved in the designated system, both in paper files and the original document's secured environment.
  • Client Interaction
    • Provide professional, efficient, and friendly client service on the telephone and in person.
    • Coordinate with clients, external counsel, and other vendors to obtain and exchange information and documentation related to legal matters.
  • Urgency Assessment and System Utilization
    • Assess the urgency of situations, determine appropriate actions, and keep management informed.
    • Utilize the case management system for electronic data management of legal files.
  • Collaboration and Administrative Support
    • Collaborate with administrative staff and legal professionals to ensure a smooth workflow.
    • Provide admin support, including maintaining calendars, setting up meetings, coordinating courier deliveries, and sorting and distributing mail.


Preferred Experience:

  • Experience in original document management within a secure environment.
  • Familiarity with document security protocols and best practices.
  • Proficiency in utilizing established systems for the storage and retrieval of legal documents.
  • Trust administration experience, including maintaining trust files, processing annual accountings, tax documents, and effective communication with trustees, beneficiaries, financial advisors, and government regulators.
  • Hold a notary license or be open to obtaining one.


Qualifications:

  • 1-3 years prior law firm administrative assistant experience preferred
  • Working knowledge of Kofax, Microsoft Teams, and Microsoft Office Suite: Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
  • Strong typing, computer, organizational, and administrative skills with meticulous attention to detail
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
  • Ability to prioritize workload and independently manage multiple tasks
  • Must be a team player and use firm resources effectively and efficiently
  • Must maintain professional contact with attorneys and staff and observe confidentiality of client and firm matters
  • Type a minimum of 60 wpm


Other Duties: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. This is a snapshot of the core functions and responsibilities. All inquiries will be handled with the utmost confidentiality. The compensation range for this position is $20-$30 per hour, representing our good faith and reasonable estimate of the potential compensation at the time of posting. Actual compensation will be determined based on various factors, including the candidate's qualifications, experience, skill set, and office location.

Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value an open mind, dedication to work, and a collaborative spirit. We hire based on these qualities, a job’s requirements, our business needs, and an applicant’s qualifications. We do not tolerate discrimination or harassment of any kind—in the hiring process or in the workplace. We comply with the ADA and consider reasonable accommodation measures that may be necessary for eligible applicants/employees to perform essential functions. We participate in E-Verify. We will provide the federal government with employees’ Form I-9 information to confirm authorization to work in the U.S. We will only use E-Verify once an employee has accepted a job offer and completed Form I-9.