Description:

The Opportunity:
We are seeking a mid-level Trusts & Estates Associate Attorney who is ready for greater independence, client responsibility, and substantive ownership of matters.

This position is ideal for an attorney who has developed a strong foundation in trusts and estates and is comfortable taking responsibility for matters with appropriate support from a partner when more complex legal, tax, or strategic issues arise.

The attorney in this role will manage a significant portion of their own caseload and work directly with clients. The position will also include an important mentorship and leadership component, including providing guidance and feedback to more junior attorneys.

We are looking for someone who enjoys practicing trusts and estates, takes pride in the quality of their work, and wants to grow with a developing practice.

Responsibilities:
Depending on experience and areas of interest, responsibilities will include:

Independently managing estate planning matters from initial consultation through execution, including revocable and irrevocable trusts, wills, powers of attorney, advance health care directives, and related documents.
Advising clients regarding estate planning, wealth transfer, fiduciary matters, and related issues.
Handling trust and estate administration matters, including preparing and reviewing accountings, notices, inventories, distribution documentation, and related correspondence.
Handling probate matters and, depending on experience, conservatorships, guardianships, and estate-related litigation.
Communicating directly with clients and serving as a primary point of contact on assigned matters.
Drafting and reviewing estate planning and administration documents.
Identifying legal issues, developing practical solutions, and exercising independent legal judgment.
Reviewing work product prepared by junior attorneys and providing constructive feedback.
Serving as a resource and mentor to junior members of the Trusts & Estates team.
Assisting with the development and improvement of practice-group systems, templates, checklists, and workflows.
Collaborating with the practice group partner on complex matters and matters requiring higher-level strategic or tax analysis.
Participating in client development and other activities that support the continued growth of the practice.

What we are looking for:
The ideal candidate will have:

4–7 years of California trusts and estates experience, with substantial experience in estate planning and/or trust and estate administration.
The ability to manage matters with meaningful independence.
Strong legal research, writing, drafting, and analytical skills.
Excellent client communication and interpersonal skills.
Sound judgment and attention to detail.
The ability to identify issues and develop practical, client-focused solutions.
A collaborative, team-oriented approach.
An interest in mentoring and developing junior attorneys.
The ability to manage competing deadlines and maintain organized case files.
A willingness to contribute to the development of systems and processes as the practice grows.
Active membership in good standing with the California State Bar.

The ideal candidate:
The ideal candidate is someone who has reached the point in their career where they can say:
"I know how to handle a matter, I know when I need help, and I know how to help someone else learn how to handle it."

You should be comfortable taking ownership of client matters while knowing when to bring in the practice group partner for strategic guidance.

We particularly value attorneys who are intellectually curious, practical, thoughtful with clients, and generous with their knowledge.