Associate Attorney- Contract to Hire

A respected law firm is seeking an experienced Associate Attorney with 3-5 years of Trusts & Estates experience to join its growing practice on a contract-to-hire basis. This hybrid opportunity is available in either the firm’s Manhattan, NY or Hackensack, NJ office.

The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience with estate planning, probate administration, trust administration, and fiduciary matters. This role offers significant client interaction and the opportunity to work closely with high-net-worth individuals, families, fiduciaries, and advisors.

Responsibilities

• Draft and review estate planning documents, including wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare proxies, and advance directives.
• Handle probate and estate administration matters from inception through closing.
• Prepare and file probate petitions, accountings, inventories, fiduciary reports, and related court documents.
• Advise executors, trustees, beneficiaries, and fiduciaries regarding estate and trust administration matters.
• Counsel clients on estate planning strategies, wealth preservation, and succession planning.
• Conduct legal research and prepare memoranda, correspondence, and legal opinions.
• Assist with trust funding, asset transfers, and post-death administration.
• Represent clients in Surrogate’s Court proceedings and related probate matters.
• Collaborate with financial advisors, accountants, trust officers, and other professionals to support client objectives.
• Maintain strong client relationships through responsive communication and exceptional service.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school.
• Active admission in New York and/or New Jersey; admission in both jurisdictions is a plus.
• 3-5 years of experience in trusts, estates, probate, and estate administration.
• Strong knowledge of estate planning and fiduciary law.
• Experience drafting sophisticated estate planning documents.
• Ability to independently manage probate and estate administration matters.
• Excellent legal research, writing, analytical, and communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple matters in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with high-net-worth individuals and families.
• Exposure to estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer tax planning.
• Experience with fiduciary accountings and trust administration.
• Familiarity with New York and/or New Jersey Surrogate’s Court procedures.

The SR Group (UK) Limited is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.