Estate Litigation Associate

Falcon Rappaport & Berkman; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 105,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Falcon Rappaport & Berkman LLP is seeking an Estate Litigation Associate to join our Trusts & Estates team. This hybrid role focuses on estate and trust litigation with increasing responsibility, including research, drafting, discovery, and court appearances in the metro-New York area.

Ideal candidates have 1–4 years of estate litigation experience, strong judgment, and a genuine desire to be an excellent advocate for clients.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school.
• Admission to the New York Bar (New Jersey Bar admission or pending admission preferred, but not required).
• 1–4 years of legal experience, preferably in estate litigation or a related area of law.

Responsibilities

• Assist with estate and trust litigation matters in New York State Surrogate's Court and other state and federal courts as appropriate.
• Conduct legal research concerning the SCPA, EPTL, and other trusts and estates statutes, regulations, and case law.
• Draft pleadings, motions, briefs, memoranda, discovery requests and responses, correspondence, and other litigation documents.
• Support all phases of discovery, including document discovery, interrogatories, and depositions.
• Assist with case strategy, litigation planning, settlement discussions, and trial preparation.
• Prepare for and, as appropriate, appear at conferences, hearings, and other court proceedings.
• Communicate professionally and proactively with clients, opposing counsel, court personnel, and other parties.
• Maintain organized case files, track deadlines and next steps, and ensure that assigned matters continue moving forward.
• Work closely with senior attorneys and receive mentorship while progressively taking ownership of matters.
• Use AI and other legal technology to improve legal research, drafting, document review, and case-management workflows.
• Contribute to a collaborative team environment and share effective tools, processes, and work product with colleagues.

Skills

Legal Research

Drafting

Discovery

Court Appearances

Client Communication

Education

J.D. from an accredited law school

New York Bar Admission

New Jersey Bar admission pending

Tools

Clio

NetDocuments

Job description

ABOUT THE FIRM

Falcon Rappaport & Berkman LLP (FRB) is a dynamic, rapidly growing and entrepreneurial law firm committed to an interdisciplinary approach to legal practice. Our team comprises thought leaders across diverse practice areas, including nationally recognized experts in trusts and estates, taxation, corporate law, emerging technologies, and other fields. By bringing together specialists from across the firm, we deliver innovative and comprehensive solutions that exceed client expectations.

At FRB, respect, appreciation, and quality of life come first. We care deeply about the people we bring into the firm and invest in their professional development through mentorship, continuing education, meaningful responsibility, and opportunities for career advancement. We work collaboratively to drive client success.

ABOUT THE POSITION

We are seeking an Estate Litigation Associate to join our Trusts & Estates team. This is an opportunity for an early-career attorney who is interested in building a practice focused on estate and trust litigation while working in a collaborative, technology-forward environment.

We are looking for someone with 1-4 years experience that can bring strong judgment, intellectual curiosity, attention to detail, drive and a genuine desire to become an excellent advocate for clients.

The successful candidate will have a sincere interest in pursuing estate litigation. You will work closely with experienced attorneys and gradually take on increasing responsibility for client matters, including but not limited to legal research, drafting, discovery, and court appearance.

This is a hybrid position. Court appearances in metro-New York and Long Island counties (and potentially New Jersey) will be required, along with in-office presence at our New York City office. We also maintain a robust social culture with regular firm events, outings, and opportunities for in-person learning and mentorship.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Assist with estate and trust litigation matters in New York State Surrogate's Court and other state and federal courts as appropriate.


• Conduct legal research concerning the SCPA, EPTL, and other trusts and estates statutes, regulations, and case law.


• Draft pleadings, motions, briefs, memoranda, discovery requests and responses, correspondence, and other litigation documents.


• Support all phases of discovery, including document discovery, interrogatories, and depositions.


• Assist with case strategy, litigation planning, settlement discussions, and trial preparation.


• Prepare for and, as appropriate, appear at conferences, hearings, and other court proceedings.


• Communicate professionally and proactively with clients, opposing counsel, court personnel, and other parties.


• Maintain organized case files, track deadlines and next steps, and ensure that assigned matters continue moving forward.


• Work closely with senior attorneys and receive mentorship while progressively taking ownership of of matters.


• Use AI and other legal technology to improve legal research, drafting, document review, and case-management workflows.


• Contribute to a collaborative team environment and share effective tools, processes, and work product with colleagues.

WHO YOU ARE

• Curious and intellectually engaged. You enjoy learning new areas of law and digging into complex factual and legal issues.


• Client-service oriented. You understand that excellent legal work starts with understanding the client's objectives and communicating clearly about status, strategy, and next steps.


• Detail-oriented and reliable. You keep track of and take ownership of case and assignment deadlines, and follow through on your commitments.


• Assertive and proactive. You ask questions but come prepared to discuss your questions when you seek answers.


• Process-minded. You look for ways to make legal work more organized, efficient, and effective.


• Entrepreneurial. You take ownership of projects and look for opportunities to contribute beyond the immediate assignment.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• J.D. from an accredited law school.


• Admission to the New York Bar (New Jersey Bar admission or pending admission preferred, but not required).


• 1–4 years of legal experience, preferably in estate litigation or a related area of law.

Preferred

• Coursework, clerkship, internship, or other experience involving trusts and estates or Surrogate's Court practice.


• Prior exposure to the SCPAEPTL, and otherlaw applied in the New York State Surrogate’s Courts.


• Experience with legal research and drafting litigation documents.


• Experience with fiduciary accountings (informal or judicial).


• Experience with Clio and/or NetDocuments.


• Admission or pending admission to the New Jersey Bar.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience and qualifications.


• Performance and discretionary bonus opportunities.


• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.


• 401(k) plan with firm contribution.


• Paid time off and firm holidays.


• CLE support and professional-development opportunities.


• Mentorship and direct training from experienced attorneys.


• Flexible hybrid work arrangements.


• Opportunities to participate in firm events, networking, continuing education, and initiatives designed to improve firm operations.

SALARY: $105,000-$130,000 annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications.