Senior Estate Planning Associate Attorney

Oregon office of our client seeks a senior estate planning associate attorney with 5+ years of estate planning experience, including planning for taxable estates. The candidate will be assuming full responsibility for the Estate Planning production pipeline, from the design of the estate plan to the delivery of work to the client. Will periodically review clients older plans and suggest updates. For probate and trust admin, supervising paralegals and making decisions, and appearing in court (including prep) when necessary. Answering client inquiries in a professional way with quick response time. Managing a dynamic caseload and staying way ahead of deadlines. Ensuring all legal work is completed efficiently, accurately, and on time. Tracking your work time. Reporting on all your work in progress. Work directly with clients and be the primary attorney on cases. Responsible for helping the clients and the firm accomplish their goals. Supervise the estate administration paralegal in preparing probate and estate administration petitions and related filings. Assist Fiduciaries with marshaling assets, determining immediate cash needs, determining estate debts and liabilities, and preparing an initial plan of distribution. Guiding and advising fiduciary through ongoing administration of the estate and/or trust. Assist clients effectively by understanding their needs, analyzing the situation, then strategizing and deciding on a proper course of action. Delegate to and review the work of paralegals and legal assistants. Discuss estate planning with clients to understand their needs, fears, and desires. Advise clients regarding retirement plans, charitable giving, and insurance. Help solve legal problems for clients by analyzing the situation, understanding their needs, and creating a strategic plan of action. Design estate plans that will work for clients within the clients chosen price point. Draft wills, trusts, and powers of attorney. Collaborate with other attorneys and paralegals to effectively move files through the estate administration process. Should delegate to Paralegals and legal staff to accomplish tasks where appropriate, but you remain responsible for ensuring the timely and professional completion of the work assigned. Represent clients in court regarding estate matters. Legal research and drafting discovery, motions, pleadings, orders, judgments, and status updates. Overseeing and analyzing discovery. Monitor your caseload and move cases progressively forward and through the pipeline in accordance with defined milestones. Make recommendations on the design, deployment, and execution of policies, procedures, processes, checklists, templates, forms, etc., to create systems that run the business efficiently and profitably. Giving in-person and webcast presentations to groups of clients, attorneys, financial professionals, or potential clients. Keep your CLEs and law license up-to-date. Develop relationships with the community served and the leaders of that community. Conveys confidence in person and on the phone. Shows empathy to clients and puts them at ease during challenging times. Demonstrates exceptional communication skills. Able to hold yourself and others accountable. A go-getter with a strong work ethic. A moderate book on portable business is a plus. Must be proficient with Microsoft Office and basic case management. Should be good with basic technology. Experience with Windows 10 or 11 and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) is required. Experience with MS Teams, Adobe Acrobat Pro, and Actionstep is preferred. 3 years of estate and trust administration and probate experience is preferable. Must be a graduate of an accredited law school and must be licensed to practice law in Wisconsin or able to be licensed within 3 months.

The candidate must be able to focus, think clearly, and give advice compassionately. Must be able to analyze client situations considering many variables, but also think on your feet and make smart decisions. Being detail-oriented and able to keep the focus on the big picture at the same time is very important. Must be willing to go the extra mile to get the job done right the first time. Should have emotional intelligence and empathy. Must be able to take coaching and suggestions well and deal well with people (clients, team members, and referral sources). Should be a team player. Must be a notary public or be able to be commissioned within a month. Excellent references are required. Must have excellent communication skills, especially in highly stressful and emotional situations. Upbeat, self-starter who has meticulous attention to detail, common sense, great interpersonal skills, and superior writing skills needed. The firm offers benefits like Health Insurance (SSM - company contribution toward plan); 401(k); Paid Holidays; Paid Vacation / Sick Time; Life Insurance; Continuing Education Budget; Individual office.