Executive/Legal Assistant - Probate, Trust & Estate Planning

Ferguson Braswell Fraser & Kubasta Pc; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

401(k) retirement

Flexible PTO

Wellness programs

Job summary

FBFK Law in Orange County seeks an experienced executive legal assistant to support a partner on the Probate, Trust & Estate team. You will manage the attorney's calendar, client communications, and the administrative side of the practice to keep the attorney focused on legal work.

The role requires mature, discreet professionals with high-net-worth client experience, strong writing, and proficiency in Word/Outlook/Excel, plus familiarity with NetDocs and AI-assisted tools.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience as an executive assistant and legal assistant supporting a senior attorney
• Experience in probate, trust or estate planning
• Direct client-facing experience with high-net-worth individuals and families
• Polished phone and in-person presence with strong written communication
• Advanced MS Word, Outlook, and Excel; comfortable with AI-assisted tools and document management systems

Responsibilities

• Own the attorney's calendar, priorities, and travel; resolve conflicts
• Prepare the attorney for meetings and track follow-ups
• Manage matter files, expense reports, and vendor coordination
• Format, proofread, and finalize estate planning documents
• Coordinate client meetings, signings, notary, and witness requirements
• Record time in the firm's timekeeping system daily

Skills

Executive assistant

Legal assistant

Probate/trust estate

High-net-worth client facing

MS Word

Outlook

Excel

NetDocs

AI tools

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Paralegal certificate

Associate's or Bachelor's degree

Tools

NetDocs

Job description

ABOUT FBFK LAWFor more than 20 years, FBFK Law has been a people-first, entrepreneurial business law firm. With a 150 people across Texas and California, we are growing deliberately under FBFK 2.0, and that growth has been recognized: 18 regional rankings in the 2026 Best Law Firms guide, #1 Overall Leading Law Firm among Small Firms in Bloomberg Law's 2026 rankings, and a place on Fortune's 2026 America's Most Innovative Companies list. Our Orange County office was named one of the Orange County Business Journal's 2026 Best Places to Work.THE ROLEOur Orange County Probate, Trust & Estate practice is looking for a seasoned executive legal assistant who will be assigned to support one of the partners on this team directly as well as work with the other attorneys and paralegals on this team.This is the person clients will call first and come to rely on. You will know where every matter stands, keep the attorney's day organized and productive, and run the administrative side of his practice so the attorney can focus on the law.Our clients are high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families, often working through sensitive family and financial decisions. The right person demonstrates maturity and professionalism in all interactions, is diplomatic, and steady under pressure, comfortable speaking for the practice on non-legal matters, and good at reading a situation and handling it well. The work is a blend of executive assistant and legal assistant responsibilities. Please note, this is a key supporting role - not a paralegal role; substantive drafting stays with the attorneys and paralegals.WHAT YOU'LL DOClient RelationshipsServe as the primary contact for clients, family office staff, financial advisors, and other trusted advisors, and manage the practice's incoming callsKeep clients informed on non-legal matters, follow through on open items, and anticipate what they will need before they askHandle sensitive conversations with tact and discretion, and know when to bring in the attorneyExecutive SupportOwn the attorney's calendar, priorities, correspondence, and travel, resolving conflicts without being askedPrepare the attorney for meetings and calls, and track follow-up commitments through to completionManage the administrative side of the practice, including expense reports, vendor and financial institution coordination, and matter files in NetDocsLegal SupportFormat, proofread, and finalize estate planning documents and client deliverables prepared by the attorneys and paralegalsCoordinate client meetings, signings, notary appointments, and witness requirementsAssemble probate filing packages for attorney or paralegal review, and coordinate filing once approvedCalendar hearings and deadlines identified by the attorneys and paralegals, and send reminders ahead of key datesRecord all time worked, billable and non-billable, in the firm's timekeeping system dailyWHAT WE'RE LOOKING FORRequiredAt least 5 years of experience as an executive assistant and legal assistant supporting a senior attorney, including at least 3 years’ experience working in a law firmExperience in probate, trust, or estate planningDirect client-facing experience, ideally with high-net-worth individuals and familiesA warm, polished presence on the phone and in person, and strong written communicationSound judgment, discretion, and the ability to manage competing priorities independentlyExpert-level skill in Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Excel; comfortable with AI-assisted tools and document management systemsHigh school diploma or equivalentPreferred (Not Required)Experience coordinating probate court filings, trust administration, and estate planning document preparationStrong understanding of probate, trust, and estate planning terminology, documents, and proceduresExperience with daily timekeeping in a billable-hour environmentExperience with NetDocsAssociate's degree, bachelor's degree, or paralegal certificateCOMPLIANCE NOTE: Work must be performed under the direct supervision of a licensed attorney in accordance with California Business & Professions Code § 6450 et seq. This position may not provide legal advice, represent clients, set legal fees, or otherwise engage in the unauthorized practice of law.BENEFITS: FBFK offers a competitive benefits package. Comprehensive medical, dental and vision; 401(k) retirement plan; flexible paid time off; wellness programs, and more.PAY AND NOTICES: The range above is our good-faith estimate of the base salary we expect to pay at hire, based on experience, skills and location. The role is also eligible for an annual discretionary bonus.EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY AND ACCOMMODATIONS: FBFK Law is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under federal, state, or local law. The firm will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state law. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered in accordance with the California Fair Chance Act.