Estate Planning – Drafting Attorney

About the role

We are an international law firm advising private capital at the intersection of personal, family and business. Our US platform is expanding, offering high‑quality cross‑border work within a collaborative, internationally connected practice. We are seeking an experienced Estate Planner / Drafter to join our growing US Private Client & Tax practice in New Haven, Connecticut. This role offers the opportunity to join at an early stage in a growing international practice supporting attorneys in the preparation and delivery of bespoke estate planning documentation for high‑net‑worth individuals and families. The practice focuses on sophisticated estate planning for individuals and families, including taxable estates, wealth transfer strategies, and trust planning. This is an excellent opportunity for an attorney who enjoys the technical and strategic side of estate planning and wants to work on complex, high‑net‑worth planning matters in a collaborative environment.

Responsibilities

• Draft and prepare a full suite of estate planning documents, including wills (including tax‑planned structures), revocable and irrevocable trusts, advanced wealth transfer planning documents, powers of attorney and healthcare directives, ancillary documents (e.g., deeds, funding schedules, assignment documents), and customized documentation based on attorney guidance, client intake data, and firm templates.
• Prepare complete estate planning packages, ensuring consistency across all documents.
• Work closely with attorneys, financial advisors and clients to support the implementation of comprehensive estate planning strategies.
• Incorporate revisions and feedback efficiently, meeting deadlines and client expectations.
• Liaise with internal stakeholders to gather information and ensure smooth progression of matters.
• Support junior drafters or paralegals where required, providing guidance on templates and firm drafting standards.
• Use estate planning software and firm templates to produce documents efficiently.
• Maintain organized document management, including version control and file integrity.
• Contribute to the refinement of templates, precedents, and internal drafting processes.
• Stay current with developments in estate planning practices, including relevant legal and tax considerations.
• Comply with all relevant legal and regulatory obligations, including those of New York and Connecticut.
• Assist with trust administration and estate settlement matters as needed.
• Review and analyze estate structures, asset titling, and tax considerations to support planning objectives.

Skills and Experience

• Associate Attorney admitted to the Connecticut or New York State Bar (with willingness to obtain the other jurisdiction).
• Minimum 3+ years’ experience drafting estate planning documents within a law firm or specialist legal environment.
• Deep knowledge of trust and estate administration and tax planning for high‑net‑worth clients.
• LL.M. in Taxation is a plus.

Person Specification

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly and concisely.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to work with a moderate level of independence while appropriately escalating complex issues.
• Flexibility and adaptability in a fast‑paced and changing environment.
• Collegial and responsive to feedback.
• Client‑focused mindset with a track record of responsiveness and service excellence.

Work Arrangement

Hybrid working – we adopt a hybrid and flexible working approach, dependent on the requirements of the role and subject to manager approval.