Estate Planning Attorney

Harwood Lloyd, LLC; Hackensack (NJ); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

401(k) with firm match

CLE allowances

Professional membership funding

Job summary

Harwood Lloyd, LLP, a New York and New Jersey firm, seeks a full-time Estate Planning Attorney for its Wills, Trusts & Estates group. You will design complex estate plans for high-net-worth clients, optimize taxes, and advise on business succession and multi-state issues in NJ and NY.

The role offers significant client-facing responsibilities, interaction with family offices and financial advisors, and leadership opportunities within a boutique yet large-firm environment.

Qualifications

• Active Bar admission in NJ and NY or dual-admitted status.
• 5–10+ years in HNW/UHNW estate planning, wealth transfer, and tax law.
• J.D. required; LL.M. preferred in Taxation or Estate Planning.
• Mastery of complex trust drafting, NJ/NY tax laws, probate/fiduciary practice.

Responsibilities

• Bespoke Estate Design: structure and draft comprehensive estate plans for HNW/UHNW clients including trusts.
• Tax minimization: advise on estate, gift, GST taxes with NJ/NY implications.
• Business succession & asset protection: buy-sell, LLCs/FLPs, and restructuring advice.
• Estate & trust administration: oversee probate in NY and NJ courts, fiduciary advising.

Skills

Bar admission NJ/NY

Estate planning

Taxation

Trust drafting

Probate/fiduciary practice

Client relations

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

LL.M. in Taxation or Estate Planning

Job description

Attorney

Harwood Lloyd, LLP, a New York and New Jersey firm, is seeking a full-time Attorney to join us in our Estate Planning Department. Harwood Lloyd, LLP is a premier full-service firm with a Wills, Trusts & Estates Department specializing in private client services, complex trust and estate planning, asset protection, and tax strategies for high-net-worth (HNW) and ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) individuals, business owners, and multi-generational families. We pride ourselves on delivering bespoke legal solutions with the highest standard of sophistication and personal client care.

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced and entrepreneurial Estate Planning Attorney to join our growing Wills, Trusts & Estates Practice Group. The ideal candidate will possess deep expertise in wealth transfer planning, complex trust structures, estate and gift tax optimization, and business succession planning tailored to the unique regulatory and legal landscapes of New Jersey and New York.

This role offers significant client-facing responsibility, direct interaction with family offices and financial advisors, and a clear path for professional and leadership growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Bespoke Estate Design: Structure, draft, and implement comprehensive estate plans for HNW and UHNW clients, including revocable/irrevocable trusts, dynasty trusts, among many others.
• Tax Minimization Strategies: Advise on state and federal estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer (GST) taxes, with a specific focus on NJ and NY state tax implications and clawback rules.
• Business Succession & Asset Protection: Assist business owners and executives with buy-sell agreements, entity restructuring, family limited partnerships (FLPs/LLCs), and succession strategies.
• Estate & Trust Administration: Oversee complex probate proceedings in NY Surrogate's Court and NJ Superior Court (Probate Part), as well as ongoing trust administration and fiduciary advising.
• Cross-Border & Multi-State Advice: Navigate residency, domicile, and multi-jurisdictional issues for clients owning property or maintaining ties across both NJ and NY.
• Advisor Collaboration: Work closely with wealth managers, CPAs, family office directors, and insurance professionals to execute holistic client wealth plans.

Qualifications & Skills

• Bar Admission: Active license to practice law in both New Jersey and New York (or dual-admitted status pending).
• Experience: 5 to 10+ years of dedicated practice in HNW/UHNW estate planning, wealth transfer, and tax law within a reputable firm or boutique private wealth practice.
• Advanced Degree: Juris Doctor (J.D.) required; LL.M. in Taxation or Estate Planning is strongly preferred.
• Technical Proficiency: Mastery of complex trust drafting, state-specific tax laws (NJ/NY), and probate/fiduciary court practice.
• Communication & Presence: Outstanding verbal and written communication skills with the polish, empathy, and confidentiality needed to interface with HNW clients.
• Client Management: Ability to manage complex matters independently while fostering strong long-term client and advisor relationships.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary: $180,000 – $200,000+ (commensurate with experience and client portable practice, if applicable)
• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Retirement: 401(k) with firm match and profit-sharing options.
• Professional Support: Bar dues, CLE allowances, and professional membership funding.

ABOUT HARWOOD LLOYD, LLP

Harwood Lloyd, LLP is a full-service law firm that proudly serves regional and individual clients by offering the personal attention and service of a boutique firm with the experience and quality of a large national firm.

Today, our firm has grown to a roster of over 35 attorneys, each of whom has been carefully selected to ensure that we can meet the increasing demand for high levels of sophistication in every segment of the metropolitan area's expanding market. Harwood Lloyd's talent has been recognized by top publications in the legal industry, including US News - Best Lawyers in America "Best Law Firms," 201 Magazine's Top Lawyers, and Super Lawyers.

Our team shares the common goal of providing clients with high-quality customer service and excellent legal representation. We strive to create an environment where employees feel empowered to thrive personally and professionally.

WORK SCHEDULE

This is a full-time, Monday-Friday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm hybrid position. Court appearances required.