Estate Planning Attorney

Overview

This role involves joining a boutique trust and estate practice on a fully remote, engagement/contract basis. The position is part-time or full-time depending on the candidate’s preference, with reasonable availability during West Coast business hours preferred.

The practice handles the full spectrum of trust and estate matters, including trust and estate litigation (fiduciaries, beneficiaries, and closely held family assets) and transactional work (estate planning and trust administration/probate). The ideal attorney can step in quickly, take ownership of matters, and help shape the role based on their strengths.

Responsibilities

• Handle trust and estate matters, depending on background and interest, including:
  • Trust & estate litigation (e.g., will and trust contests, breach of fiduciary duty claims, accounting disputes, trustee/beneficiary conflicts, and related probate and civil disputes)
  • Transactional work (e.g., estate planning, trust drafting, and trust administration/probate)
• For litigation-focused work:
  • Draft and argue motions, pleadings, and briefs
  • Manage written discovery
  • Support depositions, mediations, and trial preparation
• For transactional-focused work:
  • Draft and review estate planning documents
  • Advise on trust administration
  • Guide clients and fiduciaries through probate matters
• Develop case strategy and craft practical, client-centered solutions that account for legal rights, family dynamics, and fiduciary obligations
• Run matters with a high degree of autonomy, taking direction where useful while independently managing a docket
• Communicate professionally and thoughtfully with beneficiaries, trustees, fiduciaries, and family members involved in sensitive, high-stakes matters
• Maintain strong responsiveness and organization while working fully remote on a flexible schedule

Requirements

• California-licensed attorney
• 3–4+ years of trust & estate experience, including litigation, transactional, or a combination of both
• Strong legal research, writing, and drafting skills, with the ability to run matters independently
• Comfortable working directly with clients in sensitive family- and wealth-related matters
• Organized and proactive, with the ability to effectively manage a caseload in a remote environment
• Reasonably available during West Coast business hours; open to part-time or full-time depending on fit
• Licensed to practice law in California and in good standing
• J.D. from an accredited law school
• Outstanding references

Compensation & Benefits

• Pay (annualized on a full-time basis): $200,000 – $250,000
• Contract engagements: Pay is based on multiple factors including work experience, qualifications, credentials, location, market supply/demand, and the candidate’s preference (each candidate’s pay rate can affect the client bill rate).
• Benefits (W2 employees):
  • Eligible for full benefits when working in roles for 20 hours per week, including a Qualified 401k plan
  • Complimentary Group Life, LTD and AD&D, and professional liability insurance for benefits-eligible employees
  • CLE and Professional Expense stipend for attorneys

Location

• Remote (anywhere in US)

Confidentiality

The employer will not propose a candidate to prospective clients without prior consent. Candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted.