Senior Estate Planning Attorney

About the Role

This is a succession hire within an active estate planning practice group — you'll step into a real, existing book of high-net-worth client relationships being transitioned from a retiring shareholder. The role carries a clear and demonstrated path to shareholder, making it a rare opportunity for a senior estate planning attorney who wants stability, meaningful work, and long-term growth without the BigLaw grind.

What You'll Do

• Manage the transition of established client relationships from a retiring shareholder, ensuring continuity of service and trust.

• Handle sophisticated estate planning matters including complex trust structures, high-net-worth estate and tax planning, and estate and gift tax strategies.

• Advise clients on trust and estate administration, business succession planning, and California property tax issues.

• Draft advanced estate planning documents and manage ongoing client advisory relationships.

• Mentor and develop junior associates within the estate planning practice group.

• Collaborate with senior attorneys and firm leadership to grow the practice area.

What We're Looking For

• JD from an accredited law school with active California State Bar membership (required; no visa sponsorship available).

• 10–20 years of estate planning experience at the senior associate, counsel, or shareholder level.

• Demonstrated experience with sophisticated (not routine) trust structures and high-net-worth estate and tax planning.

• Direct client advisory experience managing relationships and providing estate planning counsel independently.

• Proficiency in estate and gift tax planning strategies and complex trust drafting.

• Knowledge of California property tax issues and estate tax implications specific to California real property.

• Experience with trust administration and business succession planning.

• Strong interpersonal skills suited to absorbing and retaining transitioning client relationships.

• Background at a mid-size full-service law firm (roughly 50–150 attorneys) is a plus.

• Experience mentoring or supervising junior associates is a plus.

• LLM in Taxation preferred but not required.

• Familiarity with Westlaw, LexisNexis, and Microsoft Office.

• Located in or willing to relocate to the greater Los Angeles area (relocation considered for exceptional candidates).

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary: $200,000 – $350,000 annually, depending on experience.

• 401(k) with profit sharing (firm contribution regardless of employee contribution).

• Manageable billable hour expectations relative to large-firm environments.

• Visa sponsorship: Not available.

Location

Hybrid — Los Angeles, California, United States. Hybrid flexibility develops after demonstrated fit; candidates currently located in the greater Los Angeles area are strongly preferred.