Legal Associate

VAQUITA PARTNERS PTE. LTD.; Singapore; On-site; SGD 60,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

VAQUITA PARTNERS PTE. LTD. seeks a Legal Associate to draft, review and organise legal documents, with emphasis on estate planning, probate and private client matters in Singapore.

You will support senior attorneys, conduct research, and assist with advisory work while liaising with clients and external professionals to clarify legal positions and ensure compliance.

Qualifications

• LLB or equivalent recognised degree required.
• 0–3 years PQE; estate planning, private client, probate or family law experience advantageous.
• Strong drafting, analytical and research abilities; good Singapore law knowledge.
• Ability to work independently and communicate clearly with non-lawyers.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review and organize wills, LPAs/POAs, trusts, and estate documents.
• Assist with probate, succession, executorship and related estate administration.
• Support litigation matters: pleadings, affidavits, and case preparation.
• Draft and review commercial agreements; maintain templates and precedents.
• Ensure regulatory compliance and monitor developments affecting the organisation.

Skills

Estate Planning

Legal Research

Contract Drafting

Litigation Support

Education

LLB or equivalent

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Role Description:

Our client who is a regional estate planning company is looking for Legal Associate to join their growing team. The individual in this role will draft, review, and organize legal documents and contracts, ensuring accuracy and compliance with relevant laws and regulations. Day-to-day responsibilities include conducting legal research, analyzing legal issues, supporting case preparation, and assisting senior legal professionals with advisory work. The Legal Associate will collaborate with internal teams and external stakeholders to clarify legal positions, manage documentation, and communicate legal recommendations in a clear, accessible manner.

Key Responsibilities

1. Estate Planning & Private Client

• Assist with the drafting, review and preparation of Wills, including straightforward and more complex testamentary arrangements and testamentary trusts.
• Assist with Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) and Powers of Attorney (POAs).
• Support estate planning matters involving trusts, executorship, trusteeship, beneficiaries and succession planning.
• Assist with the administration and distribution of estates.
• Assist with matters relating to probate, letters of administration, resealing and other estate administration proceedings.
• Liaise with clients, trustees, executors, beneficiaries and external professional advisers where required.
• Conduct legal research and identify potential legal, practical and regulatory issues arising from proposed estate-planning arrangements.

2. Litigation & Dispute Resolution

• Assist with a range of contentious matters, including:
• Probate and estate disputes;
• Family and matrimonial matters, including divorce-related matters;
• Mental capacity and Deputyship applications;
• Trust and beneficiary disputes;
• Debt recovery and other civil litigation matters; and
• Other related contentious and non-contentious matters as required.
• Draft and review pleadings, affidavits, correspondence, submissions, agreements and other legal documents.
• Assist with the management of matters from initial assessment through to resolution.
• Liaise with external solicitors and counsel where appropriate.
• Conduct legal research and assist in assessing potential claims, risks, remedies and legal strategies.

3. Legal Documentation & Contracts

• Draft, review and assist in negotiating a range of commercial and operational agreements.
• Review agreements involving clients, business partners, service providers, professional advisers and other third parties.
• Assist with the preparation and maintenance of legal templates, precedents, policies and procedures.
• Identify contractual and legal risks and recommend appropriate amendments and safeguards.

4. Regulatory & Risk Management

• Provide support on applicable laws, regulations and regulatory requirements affecting the organisation's activities.
• Assist with compliance-related matters, including privacy and data protection, client documentation and regulatory requirements.
• Monitor relevant legal and regulatory developments and highlight potential implications for the organisation.

5. General Legal Support

• Provide day-to-day legal support to management and internal stakeholders.
• Liaise with external solicitors, counsel, government authorities, courts and other professional advisers where required.
• Undertake legal research and provide clear, practical and commercially appropriate recommendations.
• Perform other legal and related duties as reasonably required from time to time.

Requirements:

• LLB or equivalent recognised law degree.
• 0–3 years of post-qualification experience (PQE).
• Relevant experience in estate planning, private client, probate, trusts, family law, civil litigation or general legal practice would be advantageous.
• Strong legal drafting, analytical and research skills.
• Good understanding of Singapore law and legal practice.
• Ability to work independently while knowing when to seek guidance from senior colleagues or external counsel.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to explain legal concepts clearly to non-lawyers.