Senior Attorney

About the Role

At Cookman Law, we’re on a mission to help families across California plan for the future with clarity, compassion, and confidence. We provide high-quality estate planning and probate services with a special focus on supporting individuals with disabilities and their loved ones. We’re growing, and we’re looking for an experienced Estate Planning Attorney to join our team. This is a rare opportunity to do fulfilling, purpose-driven legal work backed by a fully staffed firm of specialists dedicated to making you and the clients succeed.

You bring the legal expertise - we bring everything else. Our marketing experts drive growth so you never think about campaigns or content. The Client Happiness Coordinator and Client Liaison handle ongoing client follow-up and relationship management, so no detail falls through the cracks. Our intake and business development team ensures every prospective client is handled with care and converted efficiently. Our operations and admin professionals keep the firm running smoothly behind the scenes. You focus entirely on what you do best: consulting, counseling, and making a real difference in people’s lives. This role is ideal for a former solo practitioner or senior associate who wants to spend more time practicing law and less time on business operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead initial estate planning and special needs planning consultations to assess client needs and craft thoughtful strategies
• Manage limited conservatorship cases including drafting, filing, and representing clients in court
• Draft core estate planning documents including trusts, wills, powers of attorney, and more
• Handle online court appearances for limited conservatorship matters
• Collaborate with our legal team to ensure smooth case progression and stellar client experience
• Support clients through trust administration matters, helping ensure an organized and efficient administration process
• Attend court hearings or other legal proceedings, perform legal research, and work with senior associate attorneys to provide legal advice
• Collaborate with clients and senior associates and other staff to move cases toward resolution efficiently
• Assist clients in determining a proper solution to legal conflicts and determine the best course of action
• Maintain client files in an organized fashion to ensure up-to-date information is handy for other attorneys, paralegals and support staff
• Draft documents such as correspondence, pleadings, motions, briefs, affidavits, settlement agreements, and contracts to be used in proceedings and contract negotiations

Qualifications

• Active California Bar License
• Juris Doctorate (J.D.) degree required from an accredited law school
• Applicants must have successfully passed the state bar exam
• Active member of the American Bar Association (ABA)
• Experience with special needs planning and limited conservatorships
• Strong drafting, research, and communication skills
• Ability to manage matters independently, while also collaborating with a remote team
• Compassionate, client-focused mindset with a high standard of professionalism
• Curiosity and motivation to grow your skills in special needs planning
• Effective communication skills and problem-solving skills are necessary to work with all levels of staff and clients
• Prepared to learn from senior attorneys to meet our client needs and grow our client base

Benefits

• 401(k) with matching
• Health insurance
• Flexible schedule

Pay & Schedule

Compensation: $130,000 - $150,000 based on experience. Full-time, 35 hours/week (1,300 billable hours per year).

About Company

Cookman Law is a California estate planning and special needs law firm. We do one thing, and we do it well: we help families build estate plans that actually work, with a particular focus on families who have a child or loved one with disabilities or mental health challenges. We are a fully remote firm serving clients across the state, and we’re growing. Our mission: To give California families - especially those caring for loved ones with special needs or dealing with complex situations - estate plans that genuinely protect the people they love, and the ongoing support to keep those plans working as life changes.