Open Positions
ALL CUMMINGS & LOCKWOOD OFFICES OFFER EXCELLENT SALARY AND GENEROUS BENEFITS INCLUDING:
- 401K
- Medical, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance
- Flexible Spending Account
- Employee Assistance Program
- Parental Leave
- Paid Time Off
- Eleven Holidays and 2 Floating Holidays
- Referral Bonus Program
CONNECTICUT OPEN POSITIONS -
TRUSTS & ESTATES ASSOCIATE - GREENWICH OFFICE
Greenwich office seeks a Trusts & Estates associate to join our Private Clients Group. This is an exceptional opportunity to join a collegial, team-oriented group and office, and to gain direct experience with sophisticated estate planning, drafting and administration and direct client contact with our significant private client base of high net worth individuals and families, family offices, closely held businesses, and national charities and foundations.
This position is located in our Greenwich, Connecticut office (steps from the Greenwich train station and right off of I-95) and would be an ideal fit for an associate who is looking to transition from NYC practice.
Desired Qualifications:
- Minimum 1-5 years of experience in estate planning and estate administration is preferred but not required.
- LL.M. in Taxation or Estate Planning is preferred but not required.
- Connecticut Bar admission (or willingness to become admitted in Connecticut).
- New York Bar preferred but not required
- Strong academic credentials including tax skills and excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills, collaborative approach to work, detail-oriented and self-motivated.
Please send cover letter, resume and transcripts to Bonnie Artinian at bartinian@cl-law.com. AA/EOE
CHARITABLE PLANNING ATTORNEY - CONNECTICUT OR FLORIDA OFFICES
Cummings & Lockwood is currently seeking an experienced Charitable Planning Attorney with 6+ years’ experience. This position can be based in our Stamford,Connecticut Office or Naples or Palm Beach Gardens, Florida offices.
Desired Qualifications:
- Strong academic credentials with a J.D. degree from an ABA-approved law school and an active member in good standing in the Connecticut and/or New York or Florida bars
- Structuring and formation of charitable organizations, including public charities and private foundations
- Preparing and administering charitable remainder trusts and charitable lead trusts
- Preparing applications for tax-exempt status
- Reviewing income tax returns for charitable entities
- Advising charitable organizations and charitable entities on all aspects of administration and governance
- Advising individuals on charitable deductions and the structure of charitable gifts
Partners, Counsel and Senior Associates are encouraged to apply.
Base Salary Range: commensurate with experience, plus bonus potential and equity partner consideration
Please send cover letter, resume and transcripts to Bonnie Artinian at bartinian@cl-law.com. AA/EOE
COMMERCIAL ATTORNEY - STAMFORD, CT OFFICE
Cummings & Lockwood is currently seeking an experienced Commercial Attorney with some level of portable business for its Stamford, Connecticut office.
Desired Qualifications:
- Strong academic credentials with a J.D. degree from an ABA-approved law school and an active member in good standing in the Connecticut and/or New York bars
- Six years or more of professional experience advising affluent families, family offices, closely held businesses or other business enterprises in some or all of the following areas:
- Commercial transactions including licensing agreements, joint ventures. purchase and sale transactions business combinations and divestitures
- Drafting and negotiation of employment contracts and separation agreements
- Entity formation, including partnerships, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited liability partnerships (LLPs), the negotiation and drafting of joint ventures and shareholder agreements
- Corporate governance
- Evaluating and undertaking different types of investments, including investments in private equity and hedge funds, angel and venture capital investing, and direct company investments
- Experience with sports and entertainment transactions, including film, music and endorsement transactions is a plus, but not required
- The ideal candidate will have broad experience and the willingness to work in a broad variety of commercial and corporate and investment projects
Partners, Counsel and Senior Associates are encouraged to apply.
Base Salary Range commensurate with experience, plus bonus potential and equity partner consideration
Please send cover letter, resume and transcripts to Bonnie Artinian at bartinian@cl-law.com. AA/EOE
FIDUCIARY TAX ACCOUNTANT - STAMFORD OFFICE
Stamford office seeks full-time Fiduciary Tax Accountant with a minimum of three years’ experience. Must have extensive knowledge of Trusts & Estates practice. General knowledge of law firm practice and procedure is required.
Summary of Responsibilities:
- Identifies, collects, analyzes, abstracts, organizes and maintains facts and documents in accordance with correct legal practice and procedure.
- Identifies, collects, analyzes, abstracts, organizes and maintains financial statements and spreadsheets related to client investments.
- Develops and maintains working relationships with clients and personnel both inside and outside the firm to obtain and clarify information needed to substantiate facts, identify documents and otherwise support legal actions.
- Develops, implements and maintains tracking and accounting systems for sophisticated client investments to facilitate preparation of U.S. trust tax returns.
- Organizes and maintains information, facts, records and other documents necessary to support legal actions.
- Assists in analysis of legal proceedings to identify problems, needs and procedures.
- Primary Responsibilities & Essential Functions of the Job:
- Prepare federal and state death tax returns.
- Prepare federal and state income tax returns for decedent's estates, testamentary and inter vivos trusts.
- Prepare individual, fiduciary, partnership and non-profit organization tax returns.
- Prepare estate and trust probate accountings.
- Prepare related filings, planning and analysis for all accountings and returns.
- Trust and estate administration.
- Verbal and written communications with clients, trustees, banks, etc.
- Track due dates and see that returns and accountings are filed timely or extended where applicable.
Specific Skills Required:
- Knowledge of accounting and trust procedures.
- Knowledge of trial balance sheets.
- Ability to develop, organize and maintain electronic data collection.
- Ability to effectively manage case materials.
- Proficient in MSExcel.
- Knowledge of Estate Val Software (EVP), ProSystem fx and FastTax a plus.
Please send cover letter and resume to Bonnie Artinian at bartinian@cl-law.com. AA/EOE
FLORIDA OPEN POSITIONS -
TRUSTS & ESTATES ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY - BONITA SPRINGS, OFFICE
Cummings & Lockwood LLC seeks a Trusts & Estates associate with a minimum of 1 year of experience for our Bonita Springs, Florida office. The ideal candidate would have experience working with individuals and families in the design and drafting of estate plans, including wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, powers of attorney, and other estate planning documents. This associate will participate in client conferences; draft estate planning documents; work with paralegals, fiduciary accountants, other attorneys, and clients in probate and trust administration; review gift tax returns, estate tax returns and fiduciary income tax returns; conduct tax research; and assist other attorneys and clients with charitable planning.
Desired Qualifications:
- Minimum 1-5 years of experience in estate planning and estate administration is preferred but not required.
- LL.M. in Taxation or Estate Planning is preferred but not required.
- Florida Bar admission required.
- Strong academic credentials including tax skills and excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills, collaborative approach to work, detail-oriented and self-motivated.
Please send cover letter, resume and transcripts to Margie Diaz at mdiaz@cl-law.com. EOE/AA
LEGAL SECRETARY/WORD PROCESSOR - NAPLES OFFICE
Naples office seeks a Legal Secretary/Word Processor. This role primarily supports the Private Clients Group attorneys and probate group as a whole with various assignments, which include are not limited to, the following and may be expanded through delegation by the Attorney, Director Human Resources, Managing Partner and/or the Office Administrator.
Summary of Responsibilities:
- Primary backup to assist Private Client Group attorneys when their secretaries are out on PTO, and overflow.
- Create 3-ring e-binders and physical binders for clients (and/or referrals) who have signed their documents.
- Draft, revise and finalize documents and letters for the attorneys.
- Responsible for faxing, photocopying and preparing documents and correspondence for mailing, including Certified Mail Return Receipt Requested, and overnight packets (i.e. UPS, FedExp, etc.)
- Scan and profile all documents on iManage
- Maintain desk files and perform client document filing in a timely manner
- Serve as a witness or notary at a client signing.
- Cover the switchboard, only when necessary.
- Answer phones in professional, helpful manner asking clients if they wish to leave a voice message and/or take detailed messages for assigned attorneys.
- Overtime only when requested by the attorney.
- Other duties specifically assigned by the attorney, FTA, Director of Human Resources, and/or Office Administrator
Computer Skills:
Proficient in MS Outlook, Word, Excel, and; Proficient in iManage, Aderant, and ChromeRiver (preferred, but will train).
Specific Skills Required:
Effectively communicate with clients, colleagues, and attorneys. Must be organized and detail oriented; must be able to work well under pressure and to prioritize; must be proficient in the area of client contact; Must be well-spoken, friendly, and possess a professional manner.
Attendance and punctuality a must; overtime upon request only.
Please send cover letter and resume to Margie Diaz at mdiaz@cl-law.com. EOE/AA
REAL ESTATE PARALEGAL - NAPLES OFFICE
Naples Office seeks an experienced Real Estate Paralegal.
Primary Responsibilities & Requirements
- Handle closing process from start to end
- Serve as a liaison between lenders, mortgage brokers, attorneys, clients and title companies.
- Conduct title searches
- Communicate with third parties to obtain estoppels, surveys, lien searches, etc.
- Prepare documents for closing transactions and title insurance policies
- Prepare settlement statements utilizing closing software, Double-Time
- Enter all closing data on Double-Time and upload to QuickBooks to process checks and wires
- Have strong Microsoft Word skills
- Have a sense of urgency with assignment completion and delivery
- Be detail-oriented and have excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Exceptional in organization and prioritizing skills
- Ability to produce efficient and accurate work product
- Ability to work well with others in a team environment
- Friendly, cordial, and great work ethics
Please send cover letter and resume to Margie Diaz at mdiaz@cl-law.com. EOE/AA
TRUST & ESTATES LEGAL SECRETARY - BONITA SPRINGS OFFICE
Bonita Springs Office seeks a Trust and Estates Legal Secretary.
Summary of Responsibilities:
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following and may be expanded through delegation by the Attorney, Director Human Resources, HR Administrator, Office Administrator or Managing Partner.
Primary Responsibilities & Essential Functions of the Job:
- Provide administrative support to three (3) attorneys
- Transcription of attorney time entries, correspondence and other documents
- Responsible for faxing, photocopying and preparing correspondence for mailing, including incoming mail and client documents
- Document and correspondence formatting, editing, retrieving, converting, copying & scanning
- Prepare drafts of estate planning documents such as Powers of Attorney, Advance Directives, HIPAA Authorizations, Designation of Preneed Guardians, Revocations of Power of Attorney
- Knowledge of Florida Probate courts, judicial procedures and e-portal
- Familiar with CSC e-recording platform
- Maintain and manage electronic files for attorneys working remotely including incoming mail and client documents
- Perform client document filing in a timely manner
- Coordinate meetings between attorneys and clients, and maintain attorney calendar
- Prepare attorney for client meetings
- Prepare post-execution binders for clients
- Gather information from potential clients to schedule meeting with the attorney
- Witness or Notarize documents at client signings
- Coverage for Receptionist as needed
- Provide back-up coverage for other secretaries and reception
- Other duties specifically assigned by the attorney/fiduciary accountant, Director Human Resources and/or Office Administrator
Computer Skills:
Proficient in MS Outlook, Word, Excel, and; Proficient in iManage, Olympus, Aderant, GEMS, and ChromeRiver (preferred, but will train).
Specific Skills Required:
Effectively communicate with clients, colleagues, and attorneys. Must be organized and detail oriented; must be able to work well under pressure and to prioritize; must be proficient in the area of client contact; Must be well-spoken, friendly, and possess a professional manner.
Attendance and punctuality a must; overtime upon request only.
Please send cover letter and resume to Margie Diaz at mdiaz@cl-law.com. EOE/AA
FIDUCIARY TAX ACCOUNTANT - BONITA SPRINGS, FL OFFICE
Bonita Springs Office of Cummings & Lockwood seeks a full-time experienced Fiduciary Tax Accountant.
Are you an experienced Fiduciary Tax Accountant with at least 5 years of experience? Are you seeking a long-term opportunity with a respected law firm? Are you in a large corporate organization and long to be part of a smaller group of professionals? Are you looking for an opportunity that gives you career enhancement opportunities? Are you in a situation where you feel that you are not appreciated?
If you answered yes to several of these, then read on to learn more about an immediate full-time opportunity with Cummings & Lockwood LLC, based in Bonita Springs, Florida. There are nearly 100 Attorneys and Fiduciary Accountants located throughout our Connecticut and Florida offices. Our Bonita Springs office houses a team of 17 who are focused primarily on estate planning and estate and trust administration.
While we provide an outstanding salary and extensive benefits, we are especially recognized for our culture. That is, we have a close-knit team dedicated to each other and our clients and we pay attention to the career paths of each of our team members.
At Cummings & Lockwood, Attorneys and staff work collaboratively in a team environment sharing significant client contact. Accordingly, the Fiduciary Tax Accountant must be willing to mentor and be mentored. Additionally, the Fiduciary Accountant must be able to interact with and show compassion to, individuals who may have suffered the loss of a loved one or are under a great deal of stress.
The Fiduciary Tax Accountant is responsible for managing and timely producing a high volume of complex, detailed work involving estate administration, trust administration, and fiduciary accounting in a manner that ensures that the firm successfully meets its objective of distinguishing itself through exceptional service.
The Fiduciary Tax Accountant must be able to work independently, handling the administration of an estate from beginning to end, and collaborating with attorneys as needed. The Fiduciary Tax Accountant must also have good organizational skills and strong technological skills.
In general, the position requires excellent communication and personal skills and client service. Other requisite attributes for this position include effective judgment in managing information, the ability to manage and meet deadlines in a fast-paced work environment, flexibility to work overtime, as deadlines require, the ability to multitask while adapting to changes in priorities, and the ability to adapt to changes in technology and processes.
Primary Responsibilities & Essential Functions of the Job:
- Developing and maintaining working relationships with clients and personnel both inside and outside the firm to obtain and clarify information needed to substantiate facts, and identify documents;
- Managing a docket system and tracking deadlines to confirm that returns and accountings are filed timely or extended where applicable;
- Preparing federal and state death tax returns;
- Preparing individual, partnership, corporate, and non-profit organization tax returns;
- Preparing gift tax returns;
- Preparing federal and state fiduciary income tax returns;
- Preparing related filings, planning and analyzing all accountings and returns;
- Administering trusts and estates;
- Communicating both verbally and via written correspondence with clients, trustees, banks, etc.;
- Identifying, gathering, and valuing assets;
- Preparing various probate and estate administration documents when necessary;
- Preparing accountings for both estates and trusts;
- Reviewing and interpreting wills and trust agreements in collaboration with attorneys, so as to implement the plan during the estate and trust administration process and to fund trusts; and
- Research issues of law using a variety of resources.
Education and Experience:
- Undergraduate degree, with 5 years of experience preferred;
- Experience working with Microsoft Office resources (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint), PDF software and related scanning and production utilities, and document management software;
- Experience working with tax preparation and accounting software (e.g., FastTax, ProSystems, etc.);
- Ability to learn and use advanced software programs and new technology and have a desire to seek and attend training to improve skills; and
- Understanding of basic business relationships and client confidentiality principles.
Please send cover letter and resume to Margie Diaz at mdiaz@cl-law.com. AA/EOE
PROBATE PARALEGAL - BONITA SPRINGS, FL OFFICE
Cummings & Lockwood LLC seeks an experienced Probate Paralegal to join our Private Clients Group in our Bonita Springs office. The candidate should have experience in handling probate and trust administration matters. Only qualified candidates will be considered and contacted for an interview.
Candidate must be comfortable making independent judgments, and must have probate and estate settlement experience. Position reports to the Partners in the Trust & Estates Department. Regular duties of the role include, but are not limited to, the following items:
- Prepare pleadings to file with the court to initiate an estate or guardianship proceeding
- Monitor and maintain the estate administration, trust administration and guardianship files
- Review estate planning documents, including the Will and Trust documents
- Prepare documents relating to the trust administration, including Acceptances of Trustees, Resignations/Declinations of Trustees, etc.
- Prepare memorandums and correspondence
- Conference with attorneys, clients, beneficiaries and family members
- Monitor the estate and trust accounts, including the payment of monthly expenses for an estate or trust
- Gather information regarding the assets and debts of an estate and/or trust
- Transfer assets to beneficiaries, including the preparation of deeds, transfer of vehicles, brokerage accounts or distributions in cash,
- Gather information needed for preparation of tax returns required for an estate and trust administration (i.e. estate tax returns, incomes tax returns, gift tax returns) and coordinate with Senior Fiduciary Accountant for the preparation of the tax returns
- Legal research regarding issues with an estate or guardianship
- Locate beneficiaries of an estate or trust, if necessary
Supplemental Pay:
-
Eligible for Bonus pay based on performance
Experience:
-
Paralegals & Legal Assistants: 3 years (Required)
Please send cover letter, resume and transcripts to Margie Diaz at mdiaz@cl-law.com. AA/EOE