Estate Planning Attorney

A. C. Howard Law; Carlsbad (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

AC Howard Law in Carlsbad Village, CA seeks an Estate Planning Attorney to join our office-based team. You will counsel clients, draft wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives with empathy and clarity.

The ideal candidate is a licensed attorney in California with at least one year of high-volume estate planning experience, strong EQ, and a commitment to serving diverse families within North County San Diego. Competitive compensation between $130,000 and $160,000 per year.

Qualifications

• Licensed attorney in California.
• At least 1 year of high-volume estate planning experience.
• Strong emotional intelligence and empathy in client interactions.

Responsibilities

• Counsel and guide clients with warm, empathetic consultations.
• Draft and tailor estate plans, wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives.
• Build relationships and serve as a trusted advisor during family transitions.
• Support probate and trust administration as needed.
• Engage with the North County San Diego LGBTQ+ community to expand the firm’s presence.

Skills

EQ

Empathy

Client communication

Job description

Job Title: Estate Planning Attorney

Location: Carlsbad Village, CA (Office-based, not remote)

Position Type: Full-Time

About AC Howard Law

At AC Howard Law, we are dedicated to providing compassionate legal services that honor the emotional and financial needs of the clients we serve during life’s most challenging transitions. Our mission is to secure and protect families—from cradle to grave—by crafting thoughtful legal documents with expertise and empathy. Be fulfilled with your law degree and lead with your heart on sensitive family-centered legal matters. Use your Type-A attention to detail productively and see the fruits of your efforts with hugs from happy clients. We believe estate planning isn't just about a pretty binder; it’s about human connection. We dive deep into real conversations: protecting beloved fur-babies, preserving cherished family heirlooms, and helping families navigate the logistics of illness, hospitalization, and peace of mind. Our goal is for every client to walk out after signing their plan with a genuine smile of relief and maybe even a little sadness that their meetings with you are ending. If you want to use your legal prowess to genuinely care for people during life's biggest milestones, we’d love to meet you.

Why You’ll Love Working Here

• Real Purpose & Impact: Be the trusted guide and go-to resource for diverse families of all shapes and sizes, with a deep focus on serving and empowering the LGBTQ+ community.
• Client-First Culture: Say goodbye to billable-hour burnout where volume triumphs over value. Here, your success is measured by candidate quality, client trust, and personal connection.
• Growth & Leadership: Play a direct, key role in expanding our footprint and reputation across North County San Diego as THE most trusted legal partner for over 600 past clients served.

If it interests you, you will also have the chance to learn more about surrogacy and adoption (family building) and prenuptial agreement drafting and marriage settlement agreement reviews (non-litigation, limited-scope family law).

Compensation: $130,000 - $160,000 yearly

Qualifications

• What We’re Looking For
• Licensed Attorney: Active bar license in good standing (California).
• Estate Planning Experience: Demonstrated one year experience in high volume estate planning.
• High Emotional Intelligence (EQ): Exceptional listening skills, empathy, and the ability to make complex legal concepts clear, approachable, and comforting to clients.
• Community-Minded: A passion for advocacy, inclusive legal practices, and building lasting relationships.

Responsibilities

• What You’ll Do
• Counsel & Guide: Host warm, empathetic consultation and design sessions with clients, listening to their unique stories, values, and family dynamics.
• Craft Comprehensive Plans: Draft and tailor estate plans, trusts, wills, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives with precision and heart.
• Build Relationships: Serve as a compassionate anchor for clients during family emergencies, unexpected health crises, or complex life transitions.
• Support Probate and Trust Administration Cases: Review the work of paralegals handling no-contest probate proceedings, and fill-in for other attorneys handling trust administration.
• Community Engagement: Serve as an ambassador for our firm, expanding our presence within North County San Diego and the LGBTQ+ community.