Estate Planning – Drafting Attorney

Charles Russell Speechlys; Connecticut; Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

Charles Russell Speechlys is seeking an experienced Estate Planner / Drafter to join its US Private Client & Tax practice in New Haven, Connecticut. You will prepare bespoke estate planning documents for high-net-worth individuals and families, including tax planning and wealth transfer considerations.

The role offers a hybrid working arrangement and collaboration with attorneys and financial advisors on sophisticated estate planning matters.

Qualifications

• Associate Attorney admitted to Connecticut or New York State Bar, with willingness to obtain the other jurisdiction.
• Minimum 3+ years’ experience drafting estate planning documents within a law firm or specialist legal environment.
• Deep knowledge of trust and estate administration and tax planning for high-net-worth clients.
• LL.M. in Taxation is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Draft and prepare a full suite of estate planning documents, including wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, powers of attorney and healthcare directives, and ancillary documents.
• Collaborate with attorneys, financial advisors and clients to implement comprehensive estate planning strategies.
• Use firm templates and software, maintain organized document management, and refine precedents and templates.
• Support junior drafters or paralegals and ensure drafting standards are followed.
• Stay current with developments in estate planning practices and regulatory obligations including NY and CT.

Skills

Estate Planning

Drafting

Tax Planning

Trust Administration

Education

LL.M. in Taxation

Job description

We are an international law firm advising private capital at the intersection of personal, family and business. Our US platform is expanding, offering high-quality cross-border work within a collaborative, internationally connected practice.

We are seeking an experienced Estate Planner / Drafter to join our growing US Private Client & Tax practice in New Haven, Connecticut. This role offers the opportunity to join at an early stage in a growing international practice supporting attorneys in the preparation and delivery of bespoke estate planning documentation for high-net-worth individuals and families. The practice focuses on sophisticated estate planning for individuals and families, including taxable estates, wealth transfer strategies, and trust planning.

This is an excellent opportunity for an attorney who enjoys the technical and strategic side of estate planning and wants to work on complex, high-net-worth planning matters in a collaborative environment.

Roles and Responsibilities

Document Drafting & Technical Delivery

Draft and prepare a full suite of estate planning documents, including

• Wills (including tax-planned structures)
• Revocable and irrevocable trusts
• Advanced wealth transfer planning documents
• Powers of attorney and healthcare directives
• Ancillary documents (e.g. deeds, funding schedules, assignment documents)
• Customization of documentation based on attorney guidance, client intake data, and established firm templates
• Preparation of complete estate planning packages, ensuring consistency across all documents

Collaboration & Matter Support

• Work closely with attorneys, financial advisors and clients to support the implementation of comprehensive estate planning strategies
• Incorporate revisions and feedback efficiently, ensuring deadlines and client expectations are met
• Liaise with internal stakeholders to gather information and ensure smooth progression of matters
• Support junior drafters or paralegals where required, providing guidance on templates and firm drafting standards (where applicable at this level)

Workflow, Systems & Process Contribution

• Use estate planning software and firm templates to produce documents efficiently
• Maintain organised document management, including version control and file integrity
• Contribute to the refinement of templates, precedents, and internal drafting processes
• Stay current with developments in estate planning practices, including relevant legal and tax considerations
• Comply with all relevant legal and regulatory obligations including the New York and Connecticut
• Assist with trust administration and estate settlement matters as needed
• Review and analyze estate structures, asset titling, and tax considerations to support planning objectives

Skills and Experience

• An Associate Attorney admitted to the Connecticut or New York State Bar (with willingness to obtain the other jurisdiction)
• Minimum 3+ years’ experience drafting estate planning documents within a law firm or specialist legal environment
• Deep knowledge of trust and estate administration and tax planning for high-net-worth clients
• LL.M. in Taxation a plus

Person Specification

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex information in a clear and concise manner
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work with a moderate level of independence while appropriately escalating complex issues
• Flexibility and adaptability in a fast-paced and changing environment
• Collegial and responsive to feedback
• Client-focused mindset with a track record of responsiveness and service excellence

Hybrid working

We adopt a hybrid and flexible working approach, dependent on the requirements of the role and subject to manager approval.

For a detailed specification please download the job description in the documents section of this page.