The Finance, Legal Affairs team within the University of Minnesota Foundation serves as a legal expert and resource in the areas of planned giving, trusts and estates, complex charitable gifts,
donor and funder agreements and general legal contracts.

This position provides legal support on administration of gifts from trusts and estates, drafting and managing charitable trusts for which the University of Minnesota is a trustee and/or beneficiary, providing legal assistance for fund compliance review, support gift planning and finance with charitable gift annuity contracts, and other duties.

Starting salary: $70,000- 80,000 based on experience.

Responsibilities:

Manage UMF Estate Gift Administration (85%)

• Manage the receipt and distribution of all gifts from the estates of deceased donors benefiting the University of Minnesota including all coordinate campuses
• Provide regular updates on estate administration to director of legal affairs, including identification of issues requiring additional action.
• Perform research under the direction of the director of legal affairs related to trust and estate gift management.
• Update and maintain donor maintenance system regarding estate administration, including a gift-tracking tool used to share information with UMF colleagues and collegiate units.
• Review and prepare responses to correspondence with personal representatives, trustees, attorneys, insurance companies, plan administrators and other financial institutions to expedite the receipt and distribution of all estate gifts, including filing claims and monitoring status of estate administration.
• Manage relations with collegiate units, accounting services and donor relations to ensure the prompt and effective designation, distribution, and stewardship of all gifts from estates, in collaboration with supervising attorney.
• Provide ongoing monitoring of life insurance policies including obtaining documentation and preparing analysis on ongoing viability of policies and ensuring premiums are paid as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned, including review and follow up on periodic reports relating to estate gifts.

Support UMF Trust Administration and Monitoring (5%)

• Tracking of all charitable trusts in which the University of Minnesota is a beneficiary, including documenting Universityâ™s interest and working with finance to monitor administration.
• Support the relationship with TIAA Kapisk and assist with the annual reporting to donors and beneficiaries.
• Review and/or draft new charitable remainder trusts, under the direction of the director of legal affairs.

Assist with fund compliance standards and procedures (5%)

• Coordinate preparation, drafting and review of legal documents required for purposes of modifying fund documentation, including drafting of court petitions as needed.

Support Charitable Gift Annuity Contract Preparation (5%)

• Assist with preparation, review and finalization of all charitable gift annuity contracts, as needed.
• Support finance team in annual tax reporting, as needed.

Demonstrate commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an equitable and inclusive working and learning environment (exhibit 100% of the time)

• Continuous learning in diversity, equity and inclusion for oneself and team via training, podcasts, articles, etc.
• Seek to explore and understand cultural differences and create a culture of belonging. 
• Develop and employ anti-racist practices and principles to accomplish work. 
• Advocate for employees of all ethnicities, genders, ages and backgrounds 
• Cultivate and develop inclusive and equitable working relationships with employees, colleagues, stakeholders, etc.
  
   

Required qualifications:

• Associateâ™s degree plus at least four years of paralegal experience in estate/trust administration or estate planning; or a combination of related education and work experience to equal at least six years.
• Paralegal certification from an ABA approved institution or the Minnesota Paralegal Association.
• Experience with drafting legal documents to administer estates and/or assist in estate planning.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a complex environment and establish and maintain relationships at all organizational levels.
• Demonstrated excellent writing and communication skills.
• Demonstrated attention to detail and problem solving and research skills with critical thinking ability.
• Ability to handle sensitive information in a confidential manner and to maintain data integrity.
• Ability to take initiative and work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
• Demonstrated intermediate level experience using Microsoft Office software, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

Preferred qualifications:

• Associateâ™s degree plus four or more years of paralegal experience in estate/trust administration or estate planning.
• Experience working in a non-profit/higher education environment.

About University of Minnesota Twin Cities

The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that all people are enriched by understanding, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of the state, the nation, and the world.

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