Cummings & Lockwood LLC
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ALL CUMMINGS & LOCKWOOD OFFICES OFFER EXCELLENT SALARY AND GENEROUS BENEFITS INCLUDING:

  • 401(k)
  • Medical, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance
  • Flexible Spending Accounts
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Parental Leave
  • Paid Time Off
  • 9 Paid Holidays and 2 Paid Floating Holidays
  • Referral Bonus Program

 

 

TRUSTS & ESTATES ASSOCIATE - BONITA SPRINGS OFFICE

The Bonita Springs office of Cummings & Lockwood LLC is seeking a partnership-track associate to join our Private Clients Group.  This is an exceptional opportunity to join a collegial, team-oriented group and office, and gain experience with sophisticated Estate Planning and Estate and Trust Administration matters.

Our Bonita Springs team has been together for over 20 years.  Due to an increase in clients, our future plans, and succession planning, we are looking for a Trusts & Estates associate with a minimum of 2 to a maximum of 7 years of experience.  
 
The ideal candidate would have experience working with high net worth 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; prepare and/or review gift tax returns, estate tax returns, and fiduciary income tax returns; conduct tax research; and assist other attorneys and clients with charitable planning. LL.M. in Taxation or Estate Planning preferred. Excellent academic credentials, exceptional writing and oral communication skills, and Florida Bar admission required (or willingness to become admitted in Florida). 

We are particularly interested in an associate who seeks a long-term professional opportunity with our respected firm.  If you have heard about our firm and appreciate our philosophy and work ethic, and have the required credentials, we look forward to exploring this opportunity with you.

Please send cover letter, resume, and transcripts to Bonnie Artinian at bartinian@cl-law.com.  AA/EOE

 

TRUSTS & ESTATES ASSOCIATE  - GREENWICH OFFICE

Cummings & Lockwood LLC seeks a Trust and Estate Associate to join the Private Clients Group in the Greenwich, Connecticut office.  This is an exceptional opportunity to join a collegial, team-orientated group and office, and gain experience in sophisticated Estate Planning, Estate Administration, drafting and direct contact with a significant private client base of high net worth individuals, families, family offices, closely held businesses, national charities and foundations.

This office is located steps from the Greenwich Metro-North Railroad station and right off of I-95.  

Desired Qualifications

  • Minimum four (4) to maximum six (6) years of experience in Estate Planning and Estate Administration
  • LL.M. in Taxation or Estate Planning, preferred but not required.
  • Connecticut Bar admission (or willing to become admitted in Connecticut)
  • New York Bar, preferred but not required
  • Strong tax aptitude
  • Strong academic credentials, including tax skills
  • Strong interpersonal skills
  • Collaborative approach to work
  • Detail oriented
  • Self-motivated
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills

Please send cover letter, resume and transcripts to Bonnie Artinian at bartinian@cl-law.com.  AA/EOE

 

JUNIOR FIDUCIARY ACCOUNTANT - GREENWICH

Cummings & Lockwood seeks Junior Fiduciary Accountant to join our Private Clients Group in our Greenwich office.

Summary of Responsibilities

  • Identify, collects, analyze, abstract, organize and maintain facts and documents in accordance with the appropriate legal practice and procedure.
  • Identify, collect, analyze, abstract, organize and maintains financial statements and spreadsheets related to client investments.
  • Develop and maintain good working relationships with clients and personnel, inside and outside the Firm for the purpose of obtaining and clarifying necessary information to substantiate facts, identify documents and otherwise support legal actions.
  • Develop, implement and maintain tracking and accounting systems for sophisticated client investments needed to facilitate preparation of U.S. trust tax returns.
  • Organize and maintain information, facts, records and necessary documents supporting legal actions.
  • Assist in analysis of legal proceedings to identify problems, needs and procedures.
  • Prepare Federal and state death tax returns.
  • Prepare Federal and state income tax returns for decedent's estates, testamentary and inter vivos trusts.
  • Prepare estate and trust probate accountings.
  • Prepare related filings, planning and analysis for all accountings and returns.
  • Trust and estate administration.
  • Track due dates and see that returns and accountings are filed timely or extended where applicable.

Desired Qualifications

  • Degree in Finance or Accounting preferred
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Excel 
  • Knowledge of accounting and trust procedures
  • Ability to develop, organize and maintain electronic data collection
  • Knowledge of individual, partnership and corporate balance sheets
  • Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
  • Detail orientated, good time management and organizational skills

Compensation:

  • $60,000.00 - $80,000.00 - Dependent upon experience
  • Competitive benefits package
  • The Junior Fiduciary Accountant is an exempt role and not eligible for overtime
  • Paid Time Off (PTO) of twenty-five (25) the first year and thirty (30) days there after
  • Thirty-seven and a half (37½) hour work week

Please send cover letter and resume to Michelle Granata at mgranata@cl-law.com.

 

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 cessary 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 Michelle Granata at mgranata@cl-law.com.  AA/EOE 
 

INTERNATIONAL ESTATE PLANNING SENIOR ASSOCIATE/COUNSEL/JUNIOR PARTNER

Cummings & Lockwood seeks an International Estate Planning Attorney with at least 5 years' experience.  This position can be based in the following offices:  Stamford, CT or Naples or Palm Beach Gardens, FL.

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
  • Advising U.S. clients
    • with foreign assets on the proper structures to hold those assets, to  minimize U.S. taxes and coordinating with foreign counsel.
    • in structuring estate plan documents to benefit foreign beneficiaries.
    • who are married to a non-U.S. citizen spouse on tax and estate planning structures to minimize U.S. estate and gift tax.
    • on renouncing U.S. citizenship or abandoning long-term permanent residency
    • on structuring ownership in foreign businesses to minimize U.S. tax
  • Drafting U.S. estate plan documents for U.S. clients with foreign assets or foreign beneficiaries and coordinating with foreign counsel
  • Administering estates of U.S. individuals who own foreign assets
  • Advising foreign clients
    • in structuring investments in the U.S., including the acquisition of real estate
    • in tax efficient structures to transfer assets to U.S. beneficiaries
    • on pre-immigration planning
  • Drafting U.S. estate plan documents for foreign clients with assets or beneficiaries in the U.S. and coordinating with foreign counsel
  • Administering estates of foreign individuals who own U.S. assets
  • Advising clients on U.S. reporting requirements for foreign investments and transfers from foreign entities or people.

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

 

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

 

PROBATE FIDUCIARY ACCOUNTANT - PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL OFFICE

Cummings & Lockwood is currently seeking a Probate Fiduciary Accountant for their Palm Beach, FL office.  Responsibilities are not limited to the following and may be expanded through delegation by an Attorney or the Office Administrator.

Responsibilities:

  • Prepare pleadings initiating an estate or guardianship court proceeding
  • Monitor and maintain files for estate administration, trust administration and guardianship
  • Review estate planning, will and trust documents
  • Prepare trust administration documents (i.e., acceptances of trustees, resignations and declinations of trustees, etc.)
  • Prepare trust and estate accounting
  • Draft memorandums and correspondences
  • Manage communication amongst attorneys, clients, beneficiaries and family members
  • Monitor trust and estate accounts, including payment of monthly expenses of an trust or estate
  • Research asset and debt information for trusts and estates
  • Prepare deeds, transfer of vehicles, brokerage accounts and distributions in cash for the transfer of assets to beneficiaries
  • Assemble necessary documents for a trust and estate administration tax return (i.e., estate tax, income tax and gift tax returns; collaborate on preparation of the tax return
  • Estate and guardianship legal research pertaining to issues
  • Locate beneficiaries of trust or estate, when necessary

Qualifications:

  • High school diploma or GED required
  • Degree in business administration preferred
  • Three (3) years of Paralegal experience
  • Probate, trust administration matters and estate settlement experience
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Excel and Outlook
  • Exceptional organization skills and attention to details
  • Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
  • Able to prioritize, multitask effectively and manage time effectively
  • Team collaborator

Compensation:

  • $60,000.00 - $80,000.00 - Dependent upon experience
  • Competitive benefits package
  • The Probate Fiduciary Accountant is an exempt role and not eligible for overtime
  • Paid Time Off (PTO) of twenty-five (25) the first year and thirty (30) days there after
  • Thirty-seven and a half (37½) hour work week

Please send cover letter and resume to Michele Granata at mgranata@cl-law.com.  AA/EOE

 

LEGAL SECRETARY - NAPLES

The Cummings & Lockwood LLC Legal Secretary responsibilities are not limited to the following and  may be expanded through delegation by an Attorney, Human Resources and Benefits, Office Administrator or Managing Partner.

Responsibilities:

  • Administrative support to two (2) Attorneys
  • Process Attorney time entry, correspondence and other documents
  • Responsible for client correspondence preparation and delivery (i.e., FedEx, UPS, USPS)
  • Prepare estate planning document drafts (i.e., Power of Attorney, Power of Attorney Revocation, Advance Directives, HIPAA Authorization and Guardians Designation)
  • Client document filing management
  • Coordinate meetings and maintain Attorney calendars
  • Prepare client post-execution binders
  • Witness or notarize client documents and signings
  • Reception coverage as necessary
  • Available to work overtime when requested

Qualifications:

  • High school diploma or GED required
  • Degree in business administration preferred
  • Knowledge of Florida probate courts, judicial procedures, e-portal and CSC e-recording platform
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Excel, Outlook, iManage, Olympus, Aderant, GEMS Westlaw, Lexis/Nexis and ChromeRiver (preferred, but will train)
  • Organization and attention to detail is critical
  • Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
  • Able to manage time, prioritize and multitask effectively

Compensation:

  • $55,000.00 - $75,000.00 - Dependent upon experience
  • Competitive benefits package
  • Legal Secretary is a non-exempt role and eligible for overtime
  • Paid Time Off (PTO) of twenty-five (25) days per calendar year
  • Forty (40) hour work week