Senior Associate Attorney

Job Overview

A law firm based in Northbrook, Illinois, is seeking a Senior Associate Attorney specializing in estate planning, probate, and trust administration. This role offers an opportunity to manage high-value estate planning matters, advise high-net-worth individuals, and oversee estate and trust administration processes. The position can be full-time or part-time and operates within a hybrid work model.

Location

• Northbrook, Illinois

Duties

• Advise clients on estate planning strategies to preserve wealth, minimize taxes, and ensure legal compliance.
• Draft complex estate planning documents, including wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives.
• Develop sophisticated estate and tax planning strategies tailored to high-net-worth individuals and families.
• Oversee estate and trust administration, including probate proceedings, tax return preparation, and trust funding.
• Analyze client assets and financial portfolios to create personalized estate plans.
• Coordinate with financial advisors, accountants, and other professionals for seamless estate plan execution.
• Represent clients in probate court for both contested and uncontested estate matters.
• Stay updated on federal and state tax laws and estate planning trends.
• Mentor and supervise junior attorneys, paralegals, and legal support staff.
• Build and maintain client relationships, providing ongoing legal counsel.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.
• Active bar membership in the practicing state.
• 5 to 7 years of experience in estate planning, probate, and trust administration.
• Expertise in estate planning, wealth transfer strategies, and tax law (estate, gift, and generation-skipping taxes).
• Proven experience handling complex estates, including business succession planning.
• Strong drafting, analytical, and organizational skills.
• Excellent communication and client relationship management abilities.
• Ability to handle a significant caseload independently and meet deadlines.
• Knowledge of tax law as it applies to estate planning (CPA or LLM in Taxation is a plus).

Skills

• Advanced legal drafting and document preparation.
• Analytical thinking and problem-solving.
• Client relationship development and management.
• Team leadership and mentoring.
• Familiarity with financial planning and asset management concepts.

Benefits

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