Trusts & Estates Associate Attorney

About the role

Donahue Fitzgerald is a highly respected and growing law firm with a strong commitment to providing exceptional legal services to our clients. Our Trusts and Estates practice is a cornerstone of our firm, recognized for its sophisticated handling of complex and high-stakes disputes. We pride ourselves on a collaborative environment, professional development opportunities, and a commitment to work-life balance. We represent a diverse client base, including high-net-worth individuals, fiduciaries, and charitable organizations, in all aspects of trust and estate controversies.

Responsibilities

• Handle complex estate planning and trust administration matters, including drafting and implementing strategies such as GST legacy trusts, SLATs, GRATs, IDGTs, and Charitable Trusts.
• Prepare and file motions and handle probate trust administration matters, including litigation.
• Interface with clients regularly and provide excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Problem solve and work with a variety of personalities and work styles.
• Manage multiple assignments within a fast-paced environment with superior organizational skills.
• Work in the office for five days during the first 90 days of employment, followed by a hybrid schedule of three days in-office.

Requirements

• 5+ years of estate planning and trust administration experience, with a background in tax preferences.
• Experience drafting and implementing complex estate planning strategies.
• Detail-oriented and able to work with a variety of personalities and work styles.
• Self-starter with superior organizational skills.
• Proficient with MS Office Suite and a Document Management System, with experience with AI tools like Co-Counsel, Co-Pilot, and NetDocuments.

Qualifications

• Strong academic credentials from a top law school.
• Admitted and a member in good standing of the California Bar.

Skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to problem solve and work with a variety of personalities and work styles.
• Proficient with MS Office Suite and a Document Management System.
• Experience with AI tools including Co-Counsel, Co-Pilot, and NetDocuments.

Benefits

We offer competitive benefits, including opportunities to support pro bono activities, a collaborative working environment, and a commitment to work-life balance.

Pay

The annual base salary for this position is $165,000 to $195,000. Depending on billable hours, total compensation can range up to $207,000 for those at the lower end of the salary range, or up to $245,000 at the higher end.

Schedule

The ideal candidate will work in the office for five days during the first 90 days of employment, followed by a hybrid schedule of three days in-office.

To Apply

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter detailing their relevant experience and interest in this position, along with a resume and a writing sample (e.g., a legal brief, motion, or a significant portion of a pleading) that demonstrates their litigation drafting skills.