Trusts & Estates Associate Attorney

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.

About the role

We seek an associate attorney for our Trusts & Estates practice group in our Oakland office. This position is well-suited for someone who enjoys being busy and wants to work for a firm with an established path to partnership. The Trusts & Estates group has seen demand for its services increase exponentially, offering significant planning opportunities for clients.

Responsibilities

• Draft and implement complex estate planning strategies such as GST legacy trusts, SLATs, GRATs, IDGTs, and Charitable Trusts.
• Handle probate trust administration matters, including preparing and filing motions and some litigation.
• Interface with clients regularly.
• Manage multiple assignments within a fast-paced environment.

Requirements

• 5+ years of estate planning and trust administration experience, with a background in tax preferred.
• Experience with probate trust administration and litigation preferred.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Detail-oriented with strong problem-solving abilities.
• Self-starter with superior organizational skills and the ability to work with a variety of personalities and work styles.
• Proficient with MS Office Suite and a Document Management System desired.
• Experience with AI tools including Co-Counsel, Co-Pilot, and NetDocuments.
• Must be admitted and a member in good standing of the California Bar.
• Strong academic credentials from a top law school preferred.

Schedule

• Must work in the office for five days during the first 90 days of employment.
• Followed by a hybrid schedule of three days in-office.

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. The salary range reflects factors including experience, education, licensure, geographic location, market demands, and other business needs. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range.

The minimum billable hour requirement is 1,610 hours per year. For those who meet or exceed this goal, a tiered bonus program provides a clear path to increase earnings significantly.

Benefits

Competitive benefits, opportunities to support pro bono activities, and a collaborative working environment.