Estate Planning Associate Attorney (3+ years experience)

Messerli Kramer, P.A.; Minneapolis (MN); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance

HSA & FSA Accounts

401(k) with company contribution

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Hybrid Remote Schedule

Job summary

Messerli Kramer, P.A. is seeking an Estate Planning Associate Attorney to support our seasoned estate planning team. The role is a hybrid position with work between our Minneapolis and St.

Michael, MN offices. You will advise individuals, families, and business owners on wills, trusts, and tax-efficient wealth transfer strategies, while drafting documents and building client relationships. The ideal candidate has a JD, an active license, 3+ years of estate planning experience, and strong

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school and active bar status.
• 3+ years in estate planning, trust, or related areas preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to draft sophisticated estate planning documents and advise clients.

Responsibilities

• Meet with clients to assess estate planning needs and develop customized plans.
• Draft and review wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and health care directives.
• Advise on estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer tax considerations.
• Develop asset protection and wealth preservation strategies.
• Assist business owners with succession planning and ownership transitions.
• Counsel fiduciaries and beneficiaries on estate and trust administration.
• Collaborate with financial professionals to implement client objectives.
• Conduct legal research and stay current on tax, trust, and probate laws.
• Maintain accurate case files and participate in business development.

Skills

Legal drafting

Client counseling

Interpersonal skills

Time management

Independent work

Team collaboration

Legal research

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Active law license

LL.M. in Taxation or Estate Planning (preferred)

Tools

Legal research tools

Document management systems

Job description

Estate Planning Associate Attorney

LOCATION: Work between Minneapolis and St. Michael, MN offices (Hybrid position)

POSITION DETAILS

We are looking for an Associate to join our firm to help support our seasoned Estate Planning Attorneys. We are seeking an experienced and client-focused Estate Planning Attorney to join our growing legal team. The ideal candidate will advise individuals, families, and business owners on a wide range of estate planning matters, including wills, trusts, probate avoidance strategies, asset protection, business succession planning, and tax‑efficient wealth transfer strategies. This position requires strong legal drafting skills, attention to detail, and the ability to build trusted relationships with clients.

Requirements

Essential Functions and Duties:

• Meet with clients to assess estate planning needs and develop customized estate plans.
• Draft and review estate planning documents, including wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, powers of attorney, health care directives, and related documents.
• Advise clients on estate, gift, and generation‑skipping transfer tax considerations.
• Develop asset protection and wealth preservation strategies.
• Assist business owners with succession planning and ownership transition matters.
• Counsel fiduciaries, trustees, personal representatives, and beneficiaries regarding estate and trust administration.
• Collaborate with financial advisors, accountants, insurance professionals, and other advisors to implement client objectives.
• Conduct legal research and remain current on changes in estate planning, tax, trust, and probate laws.
• Maintain accurate case files and documentation in accordance with firm policies.
• Participate in business development, networking, community involvement, and client relationship‑building activities.
• Manage probate and estate administration matters from initial intake meeting to final distribution of the estate.

Education and Licensure

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
• Licensed and in good standing to practice law in the applicable jurisdiction.

Experience

• 3+ years of experience practicing estate planning, trust and estate administration, or a related area of law preferred.
• Experience drafting sophisticated estate planning documents and advising high‑net‑worth individuals is a plus.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Strong knowledge of estate planning, trust administration, probate, and tax planning principles.
• Excellent legal writing, drafting, and analytical skills.
• Strong interpersonal and client counseling abilities.
• Ability to explain complex legal concepts in a clear and practical manner.
• Exceptional organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with attorneys and staff.
• Proficiency with legal research tools and document management systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with advanced estate planning techniques, including irrevocable trusts, charitable planning, special needs trusts, and business succession planning.
• Existing referral relationships or demonstrated business development experience.
• LL.M. in Taxation or Estate Planning (preferred but not required).

Compensation And Bonus Information

Base compensation will vary based on level of experience. Associate compensation range $95,000–$120,000. Associate Attorneys are also eligible for monthly source and annual discretionary bonus incentives based on performance.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance
• HSA & FSA Accounts
• Employer Contribution to HSA if enrolled in High‑Deductible Health Insurance plan.
• 401(k), with 4% company contribution (after completion of 1 year of service)
• Paid time off
• Paid company holidays
• Company Paid Basic Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Annual Marketing & Business Development budget
• Bar license and CLE reimbursements
• Cell phone reimbursement
• Gym reimbursement
• Hybrid Remote Schedule

We conduct criminal background checks on all individuals offered employment.

Applicants with a disability that need an accommodation, please contact Human Resources at 612.672.3600 or email [e-mail].

Messerli Kramer is fully committed to equal opportunity in all aspects of employment. It is the policy of Messerli Kramer to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, military status, veteran status, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic orientation, physical or mental disability or any other protected status. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work Environment And Physical Demands: This job operates in a professional office environment. While performing the responsibilities of the position, these work environment characteristics are representative of the environment the person in this position will encounter. While performing the duties of this job, the employee will work in a professional, fast‑paced office environment that may require additional hours to complete work. The physical demands are representative of the physical requirements necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the position. If an employee is unable to perform the essential functions of the position, Messerli Kramer will evaluate whether a reasonable accommodation can be made to enable the employee to perform the described essential functions of the position. Due to the nature of this office position, while performing the responsibilities of the position, the employee is required to talk and hear. The employee is often required to sit and use their hands and fingers, to manage or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, reach with arms and hands, climb or balance, and to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Vision abilities required by the job include close vision.