Associate Attorney - Trusts & Estates

About the Role

The successful candidate will manage a case load across one or more of our core practice areas from the first day. We are a busy firm and the volume of work available is real. You will have meaningful client responsibility early, with experienced attorneys alongside you as you take on unfamiliar matters and new practice areas. We also expect our attorneys to invest in business development over time. If you have already started building your own client base, this is the right platform to accelerate that. If you are newer to that side of the practice, we will teach you and support your growth in it.

Mentorship and Development

Our attorneys learn from one another. You will work directly with shareholders who have spent their careers in trusts and estates, with real access to them on drafting questions, client strategy, and the judgment calls that only come with experience. We would rather invest in an attorney who is genuinely good and still growing than hire someone who has stopped learning.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a case load in estate planning, probate, trust administration, and related practice areas
• Draft and review wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and other estate planning documents
• Handle probate and trust administration matters including filings, accountings, and client communications
• Advise clients on elder law, Medicaid planning, guardianships, and special needs planning
• Assist with individual, fiduciary, estate, and gift tax preparation as applicable
• Support transactional work including entity formation and real estate closings for family and closely held businesses
• Assist with fiduciary litigation and contested probate or guardianship proceedings as needed
• Begin building a professional referral network in the Milwaukee market

Why This Role Stands Out

• Real client responsibility early, with experienced attorneys to learn from
• Direct mentorship from shareholders with deep trusts and estates experience
• Collaborative firm culture where attorneys support and invest in each other's success
• Diverse, full‑service practice that keeps your work varied and your skills sharp
• Established Milwaukee firm with a strong community reputation and professional network
• Clear path to build a lasting trusts and estates practice in a supportive environment

Requirements

• 3 to 5 years of experience practicing in trusts and estates, estate planning, probate, or a closely related area
• Demonstrated ability to manage client‑facing matters with growing independence
• Exposure to one or more of the firm’s service areas is preferred
• Active Wisconsin bar license (or eligibility for admission)
• Interest in business development – whether you have started building a book of business or want to learn, we will support you
• Commitment to long‑term tenure – we are investing in someone who wants to grow with us
• Strong client communication skills and a genuine service orientation
• High attention to detail and professional standards consistent with a client‑facing practice

Benefits

• Health and dental insurance with firm paying 80% of premiums; FSA available for enrolled employees
• 401(k) plan with firm contributing 3% of compensation monthly, eligible after 6 months
• Group life insurance and long‑term disability insurance at no cost to employee
• Parking paid by firm
• PTO: 2 weeks to start, increasing to 3 weeks at year 3 and 4 weeks at year 5; plus 2 paid personal days annually

Pay

Salary: $90,000 to $110,000, commensurate with experience. Performance bonus potential.