Trusts and Estates Senior Associate

Job Overview

A law firm seeks a Trusts and Estates Senior Associate to join its practice in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The ideal candidate will possess three to seven years of experience in estate planning, trust and estate settlement, and related tax and corporate matters. Candidates must have excellent research, writing, and communication skills and be licensed or willing to become licensed to practice law in Michigan.

Duties

• Develop comprehensive estate plans tailored to clients' specific needs and goals.
• Advise clients on tax implications and strategies to minimize tax liabilities.
• Handle the probate process, including court proceedings and asset distribution.
• Manage and administer trusts in compliance with applicable laws.

Requirements

• Strong foundation in estate planning, tax law, probate law, and trust law.
• Experience assisting high net worth families with estate planning and management.
• Proficiency in estate and gift tax complex planning, including CRUTS, SLATS, GRATS, FLPs, QPRTs, IDGTs, and ILITs.
• Experience in succession planning, fiduciary accounting, and tax preparation.
• Excellent communication skills to explain complex legal concepts clearly.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills for complex financial and legal situations.
• Precision in drafting legal documents to ensure compliance with relevant laws.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.

Education

• Juris Doctor from an ABA-accredited law school.

Certifications

• Licensed or willing to become licensed to practice law in Michigan.

Skills

• Interest in building a book of business.
• Ability to meet physical requirements, including prolonged periods of sitting or standing.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• Firm-provided life insurance and disability coverage.
• 401k with employer contribution or match.
• Firm holidays and remote work flexibility.
• Wellness program and employee assistance program.
• Professional development opportunities.

With four offices in Michigan and over 150 attorneys, this is truly one of the greatest places to work. Concentrating on a broad civil and criminal practices, these attorneys represent a broad spectrum of clients who are industry leaders, both nationally and internationally, including publicly traded companies, privately held companies, financial institutions and foreign corporations. Although founded primarily to serve clients in a corporate capacity, this firm now offers expertise in financial institutions (large practice), IP, employee benefits, litigation, real estate, tax, trusts and estates and health care. This firm is looking for attorneys with top academic credentials and it attracts many candidates who have practiced at major law firms. Associates seem happy here -- perhaps because they are allowed to choose areas of concentration and their average billables are lower than at other comparable firms. Associates love the non-competitive environment here. These attorneys are extremely cooperative with one another and are focused on the growth and development of the firm. The professional development programs here are exceptional. This firm definitely gets our gold star for its high-quality work, great atmosphere and investment in the development of its attorneys.