Associate Attorney - Estate Administration

Kelleher + Holland, LLC; United States; On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Kelleher + Holland, LLC in North Barrington, IL, seeks an entry-level Estate & Trust Administration Attorney to support probate and trust matters under senior attorneys. The role centers on guiding executors and trustees, with hands-on experience from day one.

Ideal candidates are recently admitted lawyers with 1–3 years in probate or related practice, detail-oriented, compassionate, and eager to build a long-term estate planning and administration practice at our Illinois and Florida offices.

Qualifications

• Active license to practice law in Illinois.
• 1–3 years of probate, trust administration, or related experience preferred; strong academic or clerkship background considered.
• Strong organizational, drafting, and attention-to-detail skills.
• A compassionate, client‑focused approach; comfortable working with families during difficult times.

Responsibilities

• Assist with opening and administering probate estates, including preparing petitions, inventories, accountings, and other court filings
• Guide trustees and beneficiaries through trust administration from initial funding review through final distribution
• Communicate with beneficiaries, financial institutions, and other professionals on administration matters
• Coordinate with accountants on fiduciary income and estate tax filings as needed
• Attend court hearings alongside senior attorneys and conduct legal research on administration issues
• Support client communications under attorney supervision

Skills

Active IL license

1–3 years experience

Detail-oriented

Client-focused

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

Description

Estate & Trust Administration Attorney (Entry-Level) — North Barrington, Illinois Office

(Full-Time | In-Person)

Illinois Licensed | Estate & Trust Administration / Probate Focus | 1–3 Years' Experience

This is a strong opportunity for an early-career attorney to build a foundation in estate and trust administration and probate, guiding families through a meaningful moment alongside experienced attorneys from day one.

About Us:

Kelleher + Holland, LLC is a full-service law firm with an established estate planning and administration practice serving individuals, families, and fiduciaries. We're seeking an entry-level Estate & Trust Administration Attorney to support our team, with the opportunity to develop hands‑on probate, trust administration, and client‑counseling skills under the mentorship of senior attorneys.

Position Overview:

The Estate & Trust Administration Attorney will work closely with senior attorneys to guide executors, administrators, and trustees through the probate and trust administration process, taking on increasing responsibility as skills develop. This role is ideal for a recently admitted attorney with 1–3 years of experience who is detail‑oriented, compassionate, and eager to build a long‑term practice in this area.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist with opening and administering probate estates, including preparing petitions, inventories, accountings, and other court filings
• Guide trustees and beneficiaries through trust administration from initial funding review through final distribution
• Communicate with beneficiaries, financial institutions, and other professionals on administration matters
• Coordinate with accountants on fiduciary income and estate tax filings as needed
• Attend court hearings alongside senior attorneys and conduct legal research on administration issues
• Support client communications under attorney supervision

Qualifications:

• Active license to practice law in Illinois; additional bar admissions a plus
• 1–3 years of probate, trust administration, or related experience preferred; strong academic or clerkship background considered
• Strong organizational, drafting, and attention-to-detail skills
• A compassionate, client‑focused approach; comfortable working with families during difficult times

Why Join Us:

Kelleher + Holland, LLC is a growing, full-service law firm with offices in Illinois and Florida — voted an Illinois Best Place to Work, 2022–2026. We offer our attorneys:

• Direct mentorship from experienced estate and trust attorneys
• A structured path to growing client and matter responsibility
• A collaborative, team‑based culture that invests in early‑career development
• Access to resources across a wide range of practice areas and jurisdictions

This ad is for recruitment purposes only and not an offer of legal services.