ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY - ESTATE PLANNING AND TRUST ADMINISTRATION

Associate Attorney – Estate Planning & Trust Administration
Location: Sacramento, CA
Job Type: Full-Time or Part-Time (30+ hours per week)
Work Arrangement: Hybrid
Salary: $120,000 – $140,000 (Full-Time Equivalent), depending on experience
Position Overview
A well-established estate planning and trust law firm in Sacramento, CA, is seeking an Associate Attorney to join its growing estate planning and administration practice.
The ideal candidate will have 2–5 years of experience in estate planning, trust administration, and probate matters. This role will primarily focus on estate planning and trust administration, with additional opportunities to gain hands-on exposure to trust and estate litigation under the guidance of experienced attorneys.
This is an excellent opportunity for an attorney looking to develop their expertise across the full lifecycle of trusts and estates, with a long-term opportunity to take on a leadership role within the firm's growing administration practice.
Key Responsibilities
Estate Planning
• Conduct estate planning meetings with new and existing clients.
• Draft, review, and revise revocable living trusts, wills, powers of attorney, and other estate planning documents.
• Lead client signing meetings and ensure proper execution of estate planning documents.
Trust & Estate Administration
• Manage post-death trust administration matters.
• Handle disability and incapacity trust administration.
• Manage probate proceedings, including preparing court filings and appearing in court.
• Coordinate with beneficiaries, families, and other relevant parties throughout the administration process.
Trust & Estate Litigation
• Assist with trust and estate litigation matters, including legal research, discovery, and drafting pleadings.
• Support court appearances and litigation proceedings as needed.
• Gain exposure to trust contests, accounting disputes, petitions for instructions, and financial elder abuse matters.
Client & Team Collaboration
• Maintain ongoing relationships with clients through annual estate plan reviews and updates.
• Communicate effectively with clients and families during sensitive situations involving incapacity or loss.
• Collaborate with paralegals, drafting assistants, and client service staff.
• Contribute to improving internal processes, legal templates, and client service practices.
Qualifications & Requirements
• Active California State Bar license in good standing.
• 2–5 years of relevant legal experience in estate planning and trust/estate administration.
• Experience handling disability trust administration, post-death trust administration, and probate matters.
• Experience drafting and revising revocable living trusts and related estate planning documents.
• Comfortable appearing in court, including uncontested probate calendars.
• Strong client communication, organizational, and time-management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple matters independently while working collaboratively with a legal support team.
• Experience with WealthDocs or similar estate planning document-assembly software is preferred.
• Prior litigation experience in trust and estate, probate, or civil litigation is a plus.
Compensation & Benefits
• Salary: $120,000 – $140,000 annually (full-time equivalent), depending on experience.
• Part-time compensation prorated based on working hours.
• Quarterly performance bonuses.
• Health insurance.
• Flexible paid time off.
• State Bar dues paid by the firm.
• Retirement savings plan.
Schedule & Work Arrangement
• Full-time or part-time (minimum 30 hours per week).
• Hybrid position based in the Sacramento, CA area.
• Initially mostly remote for approximately six months, followed by a hybrid office schedule.
• Must reside in the Sacramento area.
• Availability during regular business hours is required.
• Some flexibility is needed for court appearances and client meetings outside standard business hours.