Estate Planning Attorney Associate

Ocean Estate Law, PC; Rancho Santa Margarita (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

401(k)

Paid time off and holidays

Mon–Fri schedule 8:30–5

Job summary

Ocean Estate Law, PC, a boutique estate planning firm serving Southern California, seeks an experienced Estate Planning Attorney with 3–4 years of estate planning experience. You will meet with clients, develop estate planning recommendations, review and finalize documents, and help families protect their legacy.

This is a highly client-facing role based in California offices (San Clemente, Laguna Hills, and Rancho Santa Margarita).

Qualifications

• Active CA State Bar license in good standing, required.
• Minimum 3 years of substantive estate planning experience; 5+ preferred.
• Experience with estate planning strategies including tax savings trusts.
• Direct client communication with warmth and clarity.
• Ability to independently manage a caseload without step-by-step supervision.
• Proficiency with computers and technology.
• Boutique/small firm experience preferred; solo practice background welcomed.
• Office-based role Monday–Friday, 8:30 am–5 pm.

Responsibilities

• Guide clients through the estate planning process from design to funding.
• Review customized plans (trusts, wills, powers of attorney, directives).
• Conduct execution meetings and explain documents to clients.
• Serve as primary contact, building long-term client relationships.
• Evaluate circumstances for advanced planning opportunities and make recommendations.
• Design and implement strategies including ILITs, GRATS, SLATs, CRTs, FLPs/LLCs.
• Coordinate with CPAs and financial advisors for integrated planning.
• Stay current on federal and CA tax law affecting planning.
• Assist with trust administration and business entity work as needed.
• Track billable time; target ~32 hours/week; use MS Office/MyCase/WealthCounsel.
• Contribute to team culture and perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Direct client communication

Caseload management

Attention to detail

Tech proficient

Education

Active California Bar license (in good standing)

Tools

MyCase CRM

WealthCounsel drafting

Estate planning drafting software

Job description

You became an attorney to counsel clients, solve problems, and make a meaningful impact in people's lives. If you enjoy sitting across from clients, understanding their goals, and designing thoughtful estate plans that protect what matters most, we'd love to meet you.

Ocean Estate Law is a growing boutique estate planning firm serving Southern California families through our offices in San Clemente, Laguna Hills, and Rancho Santa Margarita. Led by Jennifer Elliott, one of California's few State Bar Certified Specialists in Estate Law, Trusts, and Probate, our firm is committed to delivering exceptional client experiences and sophisticated estate planning solutions.

We're looking for an experienced Estate Planning Attorney with at least 3-4 years of estate planning experience who enjoys working directly with clients and wants to continue developing their knowledge in advanced planning strategies.

This is a highly client-facing role. You'll spend your time meeting with clients, developing estate planning recommendations, reviewing and finalizing legal documents, and helping families understand the planning decisions that will protect their loved ones and legacy.

If you've ever tried running your own firm and found that the business side got in the way of the law—we see you. That experience makes you more valuable here, not less. You will not have to come with a book of business and there is no requirement to make it rain. If you are not comfortable in sales and you just want to practice law, this role is for you.

Compensation & Benefits

• Base salary: 130,000 to $150,000 per year (based on experience)
• Performance bonuses tied to firm growth, individual contribution, and hitting your KPIs
• Medical, dental, vision benefits, 401(k)
• Paid time off and holidays
• A schedule that actually ends: Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5 pm. No 60-hour weeks. No weekend expectations

Compensation: $130,000 to $150,000 starting base salary DOE plus performance bonuses

Qualifications

• Active California State Bar license in good standing, required
• Minimum 3 years of substantive estate planning experience required; 5+ years preferred
• Demonstrated, hands on experience with estate planning strategies, including tax savings trusts
• Comfort and confidence in direct client communication: written, verbal, and in-person
• Ability to work independently and manage a caseload without step-by-step supervision
• Strong attention to detail; clients are trusting us with their families' futures
• Experience with trust administration and/or probate
• Prior experience in a boutique or small firm environment preferred; solo practice background welcomed
• Must be proficient with computers and technology
• Must be available to work in the office Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5 pm
• Must be able to work from all 3 office locations, depending on business needs
• Must have reliable transportation and a valid driver's license to travel between office locations

Responsibilities

• Client Relationship & Plan Execution
• Guide clients through the estate planning process with clarity, warmth, and genuine expertise, from design meeting through trust execution and funding
• Review customized estate plans (trusts, wills, powers of attorney, healthcare directives) drafted by our paralegal team, ensuring accuracy and alignment with each client's goals
• Conduct execution meetings, ensuring clients understand what they've signed and how to properly fund their trust
• Serve as the client's primary point of contact throughout the planning process, building trust and long-term relationships
• Estate Planning
• Evaluate client circumstances for advanced planning opportunities and make appropriate strategy recommendations
• Design and implement estate planning strategies. Experience with Irrevocable Trusts, Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts (ILITs), Intentionally Defective Grantor Trusts (IDGTs), Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts (GRATs), Spousal Lifetime Access Trusts (SLATs), Charitable Remainder Trusts (CRTs), Family Limited Partnerships / LLCs for wealth transfer and asset protection is a plus.
• Collaborate with clients' CPAs, financial advisors, and other professionals to coordinate integrated planning strategies
• Stay current on federal and California estate, gift, and income tax law as it affects planning recommendations
• Trust Administration & Business Entity Work
• Collaborate with our trust administration senior associate on matter handoffs and post-death administration support as needed
• Court appearances, non litigation
• Assist with basic business entity formation (LLC/Corp), where applicable, an area we are actively expanding
• Systems & Operations
• Track billable time accurately and meet a clear, reasonable performance target of 32 billable hours per week
• Operate within our established systems (Microsoft Office, MyCase or similar CRM, WealthCounsel or similar drafting software) to keep client matters moving efficiently
• Contribute to a team culture of accountability, excellence, and genuine care for clients and colleagues
• Perform other duties and tasks as assigned to support attorneys, clients, and firm operations.