Estate Planning Attorney

About the role

This role will work between our St. Michael, MN and Minneapolis Offices to support our Estate Planning Team. Hybrid role.

Responsibilities

• Meet with clients to assess estate planning needs and develop customized estate plans.
• Draft and review estate planning documents, including wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, powers of attorney, health care directives, and related documents.
• Advise clients on estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer tax considerations.
• Develop asset protection and wealth preservation strategies.
• Aid business owners with succession planning and ownership transition matters.
• Counsel fiduciaries, trustees, personal representatives, and beneficiaries regarding estate and trust administration.
• Collaborate with financial advisors, accountants, insurance professionals, and other advisors to implement client objectives.
• Conduct legal research and remain current on changes in estate planning, tax, trust, and probate laws.
• Maintain accurate case files and documentation in accordance with firm policies.
• Participate in business development, networking, community involvement, and client relationship-building activities.
• Manage probate and estate administration matters from initial intake meeting to final distribution of the estate.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
• Licensed and in good standing to practice law in the applicable jurisdiction.
• 3+ years of experience practicing estate planning, trust and estate administration, or a related area of law preferred.
• Experience drafting sophisticated estate planning documents and advising high-net-worth individuals is a plus.

Education and Licensure

• Strong knowledge of estate planning, trust administration, probate, and tax planning principles.
• Excellent legal writing, drafting, and analytical skills.
• Strong interpersonal and client counseling abilities.
• Ability to explain complex legal concepts in a clear and practical manner.
• Exceptional organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with attorneys and staff.
• Proficiency with legal research tools and document management systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with advanced estate planning techniques, including irrevocable trusts, charitable planning, special needs trusts, and business succession planning.
• Existing referral relationships or demonstrated business development experience.
• LL.M. in Taxation or Estate Planning (preferred but not required).

Compensation and Bonus Information

• Base compensation will vary based on level of experience. Associate compensation range $95,000-$120,000.
• Associate Attorneys are also eligible for monthly source and annual discretionary bonus incentives based on performance.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance.
• HSA & FSA Accounts.
• Employer Contribution to HSA if enrolled in High-Deductible Health Insurance plan.
• 401K, with 4% company contribution (after completion of 1 year of service).
• Paid time off.
• Paid company holidays.
• Company Paid Basic Life Insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Annual Marketing & Business Development budget.
• Bar license and CLE reimbursements.
• Cell phone reimbursement.
• Gym reimbursement.
• Hybrid Remote Schedule.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

• This job operates in a professional office environment.
• The physical demands are representative of the physical requirements necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the position.
• If an employee is unable to perform the essential functions of the position, Messerli Kramer will evaluate whether a reasonable accommodation can be made to enable the employee to perform the described essential functions of the position.