Associate Attorney - $100,000 salary

Inner Circle Legal Planning; Milford (CT); On-site; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Inner Circle Legal Planning in Milford, CT seeks a full-time Associate Attorney for an on-site role. The position offers limitless growth potential and direct exposure to the owner and firm operations, beyond traditional duties.

The Associate Attorney will begin with foundational education in Estate Planning, Estate Administration, and Business Planning, while handling substantive file work and practice-management tasks. Growth into client service and revenue activities is anticipated.

Qualifications

• Licensed or License-Eligible in Connecticut.
• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
• High ethical standards, professionalism, and a client-focused mindset.
• Ability to manage multiple matters, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines in a fast‑paced environment.
• Eagerness to learn and develop personal and professional skills.

Responsibilities

• Master an understanding and functionality of the firm’s systems and processes.
• Achieve a high-level educational foundation in Estate Planning, Estate Administration, and Business Planning.
• Substantive legal file work – primarily with Estate Administration (probate, Trust administration).
• Drafting of legal/practice management documents (e.g., Retainer and Fee Agreements, review memos, motions).
• Client acquisition and servicing of indirect leads.
• Develop direct referral sources, with associated sales/service.
• Host/conduct initial Design Meetings for Estate Planning clients.
• Attend hearings at probate courts in support of probate cases.

Skills

License-eligible in Connecticut

High ethical standards

Client-focused mindset

Multitasking / manage multiple matters

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school

Job description

Compensation

$100,000 - specific compensation structure can be discussed during the hiring process.

Company Description

Inner Circle Legal Planning provides our clients peace of mind in all stages of life by providing comprehensive and customizable estate planning services. Inner Circle specializes in Estate Planning, Estate Administration, and Business Planning. We value close client relationships, meeting the high standards we've set, and providing sound, ethical legal support.

Role Description

This full-time, on-site Associate Attorney role is based in Milford, CT. This position is intended to be highly dynamic, with near limitless potential for career/role growth for the right candidate. Unlike Associate Attorney positions in larger firms, our Associate Attorney will enjoy “behind the curtains” access to the inner workings of the practice at large. From firm finances, to insurance, to referral source/client relationship management, and everywhere in between, this position is designed not to be a mere cog in the wheel, but rather set the stage for professional insight and growth to a rarely attainable degree.

Inner Circle’s Associate Attorney will report directly to the owner, Bryan Etter, and function in a variety of administrative and operational tasks, as well as substantive file work, and eventually sales/client service.

This position is intended to begin with the basics, with a heavy focus on both legal and practice management education. The Associate Attorney will primarily “learn while doing,” as well as shadow a volume of all meeting types conducted by Bryan, dive deep into the firm’s educational resources, and engage in self‑research and overall learning.

Over time, the role is intended to grow, and include “client forward” responsibilities (e.g., direct revenue production, file service/management, relationship development with clients, referral sources, etc.).

While the job is intended to be flexible, and account for Bryan/Inner Circle’s evolving and week‑to‑week specific needs, the following provides an overview of the Associate Attorney’s core functions during its employment stages:

First 6-12 Months

• Master an understanding and functionality of the firm’s systems and processes
• Achieve a high‑level educational foundation of the firm’s main practice areas: Estate Planning, Estate Administration, Business Planning
• oThis is to be accomplished through a variety of pursuits, including shadowing meetings, review of the firm’s educational resources (e.g., WealthCounsel webinars), direct mentorship from Bryan, independent research
• Substantive legal file work – primarily with the firm’s Estate Administration (probate, Trust administration) practice area
• Drafting of a variety of legal/practice management documents (e.g., Retainer and Fee Agreements, review memos, motions, etc.)

Long‑Term Functions & Goals

• Client acquisition and servicing of the firm’s “indirect leads” (i.e., online leads)
• Develop direct referral sources, with associated sales/service
• oThis is to be accomplished through consistent networking pursuits on behalf of both the Associate Attorney and Inner Circle
• Host/conduct 1 st Design Meetings for the firm’s Estate Planning clients
• Attend hearings at various probate courts in support of the firm’s probate cases
• Continuation of certain of the aforementioned first 6-12 months tasks

Qualifications

• Licensed or License-Eligible in Connecticut
• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school
• High ethical standards, professionalism, and a client-focused mindset
• Ability to manage multiple matters, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines in a fast‑paced environment
• Eagerness to learn and develop personal and professional skills