Estate & Trust Litigation Associate Attorney

A law firm seeks a highly motivated and diligent Estate & Trust Litigation Associate to join its Estate Planning and Administration practice in Pittsburgh, PA. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced attorney who enjoys working on complex probate issues, estate planning, and estate administration. The ideal candidate will bring a blend of legal expertise, strong organizational skills, and the ability to manage diverse tasks related to both contested matters and estate planning solutions.

Duties

• Draft substantive legal documents including complaints, motions, oppositions, and other pleadings related to contested estate matters.
• Conduct research and prepare memoranda on a wide range of probate-related issues.
• Draft and respond to interrogatories, subpoenas, and document requests in estate and trust litigation.
• Represent clients in meetings and attend court hearings.
• Draft and review estate planning documents such as wills, trusts (revocable and irrevocable), powers of attorney, healthcare proxies, and life insurance trusts.
• Establish durable power of attorney and medical power of attorney documents for clients.
• Collaborate with financial professionals to implement strategies aimed at reducing estate tax liabilities.
• Advise clients on strategies to avoid the probate process when possible.
• Set up protective trusts to safeguard client assets.
• Administer estates of various sizes with strong paralegal support.

Requirements

• 5-10 years of hands-on experience in estate planning and estate administration.
• Proven experience in Orphans’ Court litigation is preferred.
• Experience with succession and business planning is a plus.
• Excellent organizational, writing, and analytical abilities.
• Strong attention to detail, ensuring accuracy across all tasks.
• Ability to manage multiple files and meet deadlines effectively.
• Professional communication skills, both verbal and written, with the capacity to interact with clients, management, and staff at all levels.
• Self-starter with the ability to independently solve problems and make sound decisions with minimal supervision.

Education

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.

Certifications

• Admission to the state bar (Pennsylvania).

Skills

• Strong legal research and writing skills.
• Ability to manage a diverse caseload and work collaboratively within a team.
• Advanced proficiency in estate planning and trust administration strategies.
• Expertise in handling complex probate and litigation matters.
• Detail-oriented with excellent organizational skills to handle a busy workload efficiently.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation and benefits package.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Paid time off.
• 401(k) retirement plan.

This role offers a fantastic opportunity for a seasoned estate planning attorney to grow within a supportive, dynamic environment while working on varied and sophisticated legal matters in estate and trust litigation.

This law firm was established over three decades ago with a specialization in commercial litigation cases. Their areas of practice include litigation, qui tam, employment and labor, insurance coverage, transportation, health care, intellectual property, banking, finance, product liability, class action, and more. Their offices are located in Philadelphia, PA; Pittsburgh, PA; Sharon, PA; Steubenville, OH; and Weirton, WV.