Associate (Estate Planning)

McNees Wallace & Nurick; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC in Pittsburgh seeks an Associate for its Estate Planning Practice Group to handle comprehensive estate planning matters and partner with senior attorneys across disciplines. You will guide clients through wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and related planning instruments while maintaining strong client relationships.

The role emphasizes collaboration, integrity, and continuous learning within a respected firm with a broad regional footprint.

Qualifications

• JD from an accredited law school.
• Admission to the Pennsylvania Bar (or eligibility to waive in).
• 3–5 years of experience in trusts and estate planning and administration.
• Experience drafting estate planning documents (wills, trusts, powers of attorney, planning instruments).
• Litigation experience a plus in trust/estate matters.

Responsibilities

• Case Management: take ownership of matters from start to finish.
• Legal Research & Analysis to support strategies and advice.
• Document Drafting: prepare, review, finalize contracts, pleadings, etc.
• Client Communication: proactive status updates with clients.

Skills

Legal research

Contract drafting

Client communication

Collaboration

Attention to detail

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Tools

Westlaw/Lexis

Job description

Joining McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC means becoming part of a team that values your voice, your growth, and your impact on clients, colleagues, and the communities we serve. Since 1935, McNees has been a trusted, client‑focused law firm delivering practical, results‑driven legal solutions with integrity and a client‑first philosophy. We are a full‑service firm with more than 170 attorneys and 350 professionals, committed to excellence across a wide range of practice areas and industries.

At McNees, we are guided by our core values of authentic relationships, excellence, growth, and balance to foster collaboration and innovation. We support your success through mentorship, leadership development, and continuous learning opportunities. Our commitment to community runs deep, with a strong tradition of stewardship through pro bono work, charitable initiatives, and civic engagement. We also prioritize flexibility and well‑being with a family‑focused culture, reasonable revenue hour expectations, and technology that drives efficiency.

If you’re looking for an opportunity to do meaningful work with people who value integrity and collaboration, you’ll feel at home at McNees.

McNees, Wallace & Nurick LLC is actively seeking an Associate to join our Estate Planning Practice Group in our Pittsburgh office. At McNees, we believe our people are our greatest asset. We foster a culture of integrity, innovation, and collaboration—where your ideas matter, and your contributions make a real impact.

If you’re passionate about delivering exceptional legal services, guiding clients through complex estate and succession planning matters, and building lasting relationships, we’d love to meet you.

Responsibilities

• Case Management: Take ownership of assigned matters from start to finish - review, analyze, and develop strategies to achieve successful outcomes.
• Legal Research & Analysis: Conduct thorough research using all available resources to support case strategies and provide well‑informed advice.
• Document Drafting: Prepare, review, and finalize contracts, pleadings, agreements, and other legal documents with precision and attention to detail.
• Client Communication: Serve as a trusted advisor by maintaining regular, proactive communication with clients about case progress and next steps.
• Negotiation & Advocacy: Represent clients effectively in negotiations and work toward favorable resolutions whenever possible.
• Collaboration: Partner with senior attorneys and colleagues across practice areas to deliver comprehensive legal solutions.
• Compliance & Ethics: Uphold the highest standards of professional conduct, including adherence to state bar requirements and firm policies.
• Financial Responsibility: Assist in setting retainers, managing payment schedules, and ensuring timely collection of receivables for assigned cases.
• Continuous Learning: Stay current with legal developments and complete all required Continuing Legal Education (CLE) to maintain bar membership.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.
• Admission to the Pennsylvania Bar (or eligibility to waive in).
• A minimum of 3-5 years of experience in trusts and estate planning and administration.
• Experience drafting estate planning documents, including wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and related planning instruments.
• Litigation experience is a plus, particularly in trust, estate, fiduciary, or Orphans' Court matters.
• Self‑motivated, driven, and detail‑oriented individual.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively in a collaborative, team‑oriented environment.
• Demonstrated commitment to providing exceptional client service and building long‑term client relationships.
• Strong organizational and time‑management skills with the ability to work independently and meet deadlines.

About McNees

Headquartered in Harrisburg, Pa., McNees operates offices across Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio, and Washington, D.C., giving our team a broad regional footprint and diverse opportunities for collaboration. We are ranked among the NLJ 500, Best Law Firms, and Best Lawyers, and nationally recognized for excellence in areas such as construction litigation and energy law.

Our attorneys deliver tailored strategies to businesses, individuals, and organizations across industries, including real estate, energy, healthcare, banking and finance, insurance, construction, and technology. We also have a strong presence in public sector law, advocating for clients in regulatory and legislative matters at all levels of government.

Our services span corporate law, real estate and construction, labor and employment, litigation, tax, intellectual property, energy and environmental, estate planning, and public sector law, complemented by affiliated businesses like Apollo Communications (strategic marketing and PR), Keystone Municipal Solutions (municipal consulting), and Pine Street Land Company (title and settlement services).

McNees offers an engaging work environment, robust opportunities for professional development, challenging and rewarding career paths, and competitive compensation. McNees is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to any trait protected by law.