Senior Trusts and Estates Associate

Job Overview
A distinguished full-service law firm is seeking a Senior Associate Attorney to join its Trusts & Estates Practice Group in one of its Southeast Michigan offices. This position involves advising high-net-worth individuals and families on estate planning strategies, trust administration, and tax-efficient wealth transfers. The ideal candidate will have deep experience in complex estate and gift tax planning, trust and estate settlement, and client counseling. This is a high-impact role offering a clear path to further professional growth and client development opportunities.

Location

• Detroit, MI

Duties

• Develop comprehensive and customized estate plans for clients

• Advise clients on tax-efficient strategies including gift and estate tax planning

• Manage and administer trusts in compliance with applicable laws and trust documents

• Handle probate matters including court proceedings, asset valuation, and distributions

• Counsel clients on succession planning and fiduciary obligations

• Draft legal documents such as wills, trusts, family settlement agreements, and tax filings

• Provide representation in will and trust contests and related disputes

• Communicate directly with clients to understand their objectives and deliver legal solutions

• Maintain confidentiality and professionalism in managing sensitive matters

Requirements

• 5–8 years of experience in trusts and estates law, preferably within a law firm

• Demonstrated expertise in estate and gift tax planning strategies (e.g., CRUTs, SLATs, GRATs, FLPs, QPRTs, IDGTs, ILITs)

• Experience working with high-net-worth clients on complex estate matters

• Interest in developing a personal client base and contributing to firm growth

Education

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an ABA-accredited law school

Certifications

• Licensed to practice law in the State of Michigan and in good standing

Skills

• Strong knowledge of estate planning, probate, trust administration, and tax law

• Excellent communication skills for client interactions and legal presentations

• Analytical and problem-solving abilities to address complex legal and financial matters

• High level of precision in drafting legal documents

• Ability to explain complex legal issues clearly to clients

• Team-oriented mindset with a commitment to collaboration and excellence

Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience

• Comprehensive benefits package, including:

  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance

  • 401(k) with employer contribution

  • Paid time off and holidays

  • Professional development support

• Hybrid work environment options available

• Inclusive and team-focused firm culture

• Opportunities for mentorship, leadership, and business development

• Active Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) initiatives and community involvement programs

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.