Paralegal/Legal Assistant

Summary

Colorado State University Foundation receives, manages and invests contributions that benefit Colorado State University. Under supervision of the General Counsel the Paralegal / Legal Assistant will be primarily responsible for managing and processing realized estate and trust gifts;

legal research; and the development, review, and drafting of various policies and legal documents in support of the work of the General Counsel.

Essential Functions

• Serve as primary contact at the Foundation for gifts designated to the Foundation / University by deceased or incapacitated donors.
• Create, implement, document, and manage the process(es) for strategic, efficient, and consistent administration of bequests received at the Foundation.
• Prepare, gather, maintain, track, and timely process waivers, releases, and other documents required to collect realized bequests and designate them for use at the Foundation and University in accordance with donor intent.
• Review, interpret, and summarize wills, trusts, payable on death designations, and other related documents and raise issues / concerns when appropriate.
• Review fiduciary inventories and accountings and raise issues / concerns when appropriate.
• Prepare bequest-related documents for signature and / or approval of the General Counsel and other stakeholders, as appropriate.
• Document realized gifts in the applicable databases, and establish new expendable or endowed funds, as appropriate, based on donor intent.
• Manage the probate process, including tracking and meeting deadlines while managing correspondence and communications with attorneys, beneficiaries, and other parties involved in the probate process, and periodically report on open probate and trust matters.
• Serve as liaison to the University’s Planned Giving Team and work with other teams at the Foundation and University, as appropriate, to process bequests and on all aspects of estate and planned gifts.
• Assist the General Counsel to establish and maintain various organizational policies, procedures, and processes.
• Assist the General Counsel to draft, review, edit, analyze, negotiate, and / or route various agreements (including complex gift agreements, vendor contracts, master service agreements, and nondisclosure agreements).
• Become familiar with and monitor statutes and regulations related to charitable solicitation, bequest administration, and corporate activities to ensure compliance.
• Conduct legal and factual research using Westlaw / Lexis or other similar databases, including case retrieval and cite checking.
• Work with the HR Manager, as needed, to administer benefits, assist with recruiting, training, onboarding, and offboarding of staff, and other HR-related projects as assigned.
• Perform administrative support functions such as scheduling meetings; monitoring, screening, and responding to emails, phone calls, and other inquiries;
• general correspondence; preparation of reports and responses; tracking and payment of outside counsel invoices and other expenses;

maintain department records and files; and assist, as needed, with planning and coordinating logistics and materials for board meetings.

• Participate on committees and / or task forces as requested.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Paralegal certificate obtained through either an American Bar Association (ABA) approved paralegal studies program or an accredited institution or a minimum of two years of experience as a paralegal.
• Highest level of integrity, professionalism, and discretion in handling confidential legal matters.
• Self-starter with strong organizational and proofreading skills, excellent written and verbal communication with the ability to communicate legal issues and concerns accurately and thoroughly.
• Highly organized, detail oriented, responsible, and responsive with project management skills to own and drive schedules from start to finish with strict adherence to deadlines.
• Strong collaborative and problem-solving skills.
• Proficient user of technology, particularly Microsoft Office Products, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Adobe Acrobat.
• Demonstrated ability to work within a diverse team and actively seek out opportunities to promote and cultivate diversity across the organization.
• Ability to pass a criminal background check, including National Sex Offender Registry

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in estate planning and / or probate / trust administration
• Experience working with or within a non-profit organization or higher education

Compensation and Benefits

Starting salary range $60,000 - $75,000, commensurate with experience. Benefits include health, dental, vision and group life insurance, sick time, vacation leave, and opportunity to participate in 401(a) and 403(b) retirement plans.

To Apply

Please send cover letter and resume to CSUF [email protected] . For complete consideration, please submit materials by October 14, 2024 .

Conditions of Employment

This is a full-time, hybrid position. Anticipated start date is December 2, 2024.

CSUF is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) it is our policy to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause undue hardship.