Estate Planning Probate and Trusts Associate Attorney

100KCrossing; Bellingham (WA); On-site; USD 105,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with employer match

Malpractice insurance paid in full

Employee Assistance Program

12 paid holidays, PTO and sick leave

Job summary

PLLC in Bellingham, Washington, seeks an Estate Planning, Probate and Trusts Associate Attorney to join a long-term, developmental role. You will work closely with the firm owner, build client relationships early, and take on meaningful responsibility while growing within the firm.

The position offers a direct equity conversation and a flat-fee mindset focused on quality work. Approximately 75% of work centers on estate planning, probate, and trust administration, with real estate and business

Qualifications

• Active Washington State Bar license in good standing.
• Interest in building a long-term practice and ownership path.
• Ability to work with diverse families including LGBTQ+ and ethically non‑monogamous clients.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload focusing on estate planning, probate, and trust administration.
• Draft, review, and advise on wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and related documents.
• Handle probate administration including court filings and distributions.
• Advise trustees and personal representatives on responsibilities.
• Handle related real estate and business transactional matters.
• Meet directly with clients, conduct signings, and build client relationships.

Skills

Active Washington State Bar

Strong written and verbal коммуника

Client relationship building

Tools

Cloud-based practice management

Job description

EstatePlanning, Probate and Trusts Associate Attorney Bellingham, Washington | Full-Time | In‑Office Flat‑Fee Practice | Direct Owner Mentorship | A Real Path to Ownership

PLLC is an award‑winning Bellingham firm serving clients throughout Whatcom County and Washington State. Founded in 2014, PLLC has been recognized as Best Attorney in the Northwest and as Cascades Best Law Firm and Best Estate Law Firm. Our firm leads with competence and compassion, handling cases ranging from adoption to estate planning. Business law to prenuptial agreements and real estate transactions.

is looking for an attorney who wants more than just their next associate role. We are looking for someone who wants to build a practice, develop meaningful client relationships, and potentially grow into ownership over time. Profit sharing has been part of our firm for years, and for the right attorney who is committed to building a future here, the owner is open to having a real conversation about an earned equity path.

This position is intended to be a long‑term, developmental role. You will work directly with the firm owner, begin building your own client relationships early, and take on meaningful responsibility as you grow. We are looking for someone who sees themselves creating something here rather than simply gaining a few years of experience before moving on.

About the Role

Approximately 75% of your work will focus on estate planning, probate, and trust administration. The remaining work will include real estate and business transactional matters that come through the firm's existing client relationships. You will have direct client contact from the start and will begin managing your own matters as you acclimate to the firm's processes and clients. At the same time, you will also have direct access to the firm owner for mentorship, questions, and support. Business development is not expected during your first year. This position’s priority is learning our practice; serving clients well and building strong relationships. Referrals and new business that naturally develop through those relationships are welcomed and rewarded through our firm's bonus structure.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of estate planning, probate, and trust administration matters from intake through completion.
• Draft, review, and advise clients on wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, powers of attorney, health care directives, community property agreements, and related estate planning documents.
• Handle probate administration, including court filings, creditor claims, inventories, and distributions.
• Advise trustees and personal representatives on their responsibilities and the administration of estates and trusts.
• Handle related real estate and business transactional matters, including deeds, purchase and sale agreements, and entity formation documents.
• Meet directly with clients, conduct signings, and help families navigate decisions that can often be personal, emotional, and complex.
• Provide thoughtful and informed counsel to clients with a wide range of family structures and circumstances.
• Keep matters organized, moving forward, and properly documented within a fully paperless, cloud‑based practice.

Experience and background:

• Approximately two to five years of legal practice experience
• Estate planning and probate experience is strongly preferred, although strong candidates from adjacent practice areas will also be considered.
• Experience drafting estate planning documents and independently managing client matters.
• Small‑firm experience is a plus, particularly if you have been responsible for managing matters from start to finish.

Must‑haves

• Active Washington State Bar license in good standing.
• A genuine interest in helping build a practice; contributing to the overall success of our firm.
• Interest in finding a long‑term professional home while pursuing individual growth within our firm.
• Comfort working with clients whose family structures may require more thoughtful or customized planning, including LGBTQ+ and ethically non‑monogamous clients.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and confidence working directly with clients during difficult or sensitive conversations.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Comfort working within a fully paperless, cloud‑based practice.

Why This Role Stands Out

A meaningful path to ownership.
Profit sharing has been part of PLLC for years. For an attorney who becomes an important part of our firm's long‑term future, the owner is open to discussing an earned equity structure. There is not a predetermined formula because the right structure will depend on the person and the role they ultimately build within our firm, but this is a conversation the owner is genuinely prepared to have.
Interesting and nuanced estate planning work. PLLC serves a diverse client base, including many LGBTQ+ and ethically non‑monogamous families. Their planning needs do not always fit neatly into standard forms or statutory defaults, which creates an opportunity to do thoughtful, customized work and develop deeper expertise.
A model where efficiency is rewarded. Because the firm primarily operates on flat fees, there is no incentive to stretch work simply to create more billable hours. The expectation is to do quality work, move matters forward efficiently, and serve clients well.
Direct mentorship and meaningful responsibility. You will work closely with the firm owner while also developing your own client relationships and taking ownership of your matters early in your tenure.
A modern, fully paperless practice. Our firm uses cloud‑based tools, requires minimal travel, and operates with a small team where you can have a direct impact on how the work gets done.
The opportunity to live and work in Bellingham. Bellingham offers access to the mountains and water, a smaller‑city lifestyle, and proximity to both Seattle and Vancouver, B.C., without the commute and cost associated with a larger metro area.

Compensation and Benefits

• Salary: $105,000 to $130,000, commensurate with experience
• Performance‑based bonuses tied to what you produce, with no cap
• Profit sharing, established at our firm for years
• A path to earned equity for an attorney who commits to the firm
• Medical, dental, and vision, with our firm paying 100 percent of the employee premium
• 401(k) with employer match
• Malpractice insurance paid in full
• Employee Assistance Program
• 12 paid holidays, plus PTO and sick leave that exceed Washington State minimums

Equal Opportunity Employer

PLLC is an equal opportunity employer and encourages candidates of all backgrounds and identities to apply.

How Your Performance Is Measured

operates primarily on a flat‑fee model. Most of our practice area billing is on a flat‑fee basis, while probate matters generally bill hourly in keeping with local practice. This means success here looks a little different than it does at a traditional billable‑hour firm. There is no annual billable‑hour requirement. Instead, performance is based on the quality and volume of matters you complete, client outcomes, efficiency, and the revenue generated through your work. When a matter is handled skillfully and effectively, that benefits both the client and the firm. Rather than working against a billable‑hour target, we reward productivity. Production expectations are an important part of this role. Specific goals will be established as a firm, together, during your first 30 days and adjusted as you become more established in our practice.