Mid-Senior Estate Planning Attorney

POSITION SUMMARY

The Mid-Senior Estate Planning Attorney will play a key role in the drafting and technical execution of sophisticated estate plans for high-net-worth clients. The ideal candidate will work closely with Shareholders to translate client objectives into well-structured, high-quality estate planning documents, independently analyze clients' assets and structures, anticipate potential issues, and suggest improvements to the plan during the drafting process.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Collaborate with Shareholders to understand client objectives and implement estate plans by drafting tailored documents.
• Draft complex estate planning instruments, including all types of irrevocable trusts and transactional documents related to clients' wealth transfer planning (promissory notes, purchase agreements, etc.), with custom drafting of client-specific trusts and trust provisions.
• Critically analyze estate planning structures and identify potential tax or administration issues, suggesting improvements when appropriate.
• Support trust and estate administration matters as needed by drafting necessary documents and court petitions (experience drafting petitions is a plus, but not a requirement).
• Analyze client financial information and asset structures to ensure proper implementation of estate plans.
• Conduct legal research and prepare memoranda on state and federal tax issues, as well as California trust and probate issues.

QUALIFICATIONS

• J.D. from an accredited law school; active California Bar membership required.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in estate planning drafting, trust, and estate administration.
• LL.M. in Taxation or State Bar specialization in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law preferred.
• Strong knowledge of federal estate, gift, and generation-skipping tax laws. Knowledge of fiduciary income tax laws is a plus, but not required.
• Excellent drafting, analytical, and technical execution skills.
• Ability to independently manage complex drafting projects and competing deadlines.
• We are open to hiring estate planning drafters outside California, provided they are admitted and in good standing with the California State Bar.
• No portable book of business required.