High‑Net‑Worth Trust & Estates Counsel

firstam; Santa Ana (CA); On-site; USD 149,000 - 198,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

401k

PTO / paid sick leave

Employee stock purchase plan

Job summary

First American is seeking a Relationship Manager, Trust Counsel to serve as a trusted legal advisor on trust and estate matters for high-net-worth individuals and families. You will guide fiduciaries, review estate documents, and collaborate across internal teams to ensure regulatory compliance and sound wealth transfer strategies.

The role emphasizes building long-term client relationships, risk assessment, and practical solutions balancing client objectives with fiduciary duties.

Qualifications

• JD degree from an accredited law school.
• Active license to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• 7+ years of experience practicing trust and estate law, estate planning, probate, trust administration, estate settlement, fiduciary services, or a related legal field.
• Strong knowledge of trust administration, fiduciary principles, estate planning strategies, wealth transfer planning, and estate settlement processes.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted legal advisor to high-net-worth individuals, families, fiduciaries, and internal business partners on trust and estate matters.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, trustees, beneficiaries, financial advisors, tax professionals, and other key stakeholders.
• Provide legal guidance on trust administration, fiduciary responsibilities, estate settlement, wealth transfer strategies, and regulatory compliance.
• Review, interpret, and advise on trust agreements, wills, powers of attorney, estate planning documents, and related legal instruments.
• Counsel clients and fiduciaries regarding trust administration matters, beneficiary issues, account distributions, and fiduciary decision-making.
• Partner with internal business units to ensure trust services are delivered in accordance with fiduciary obligations, legal requirements, and organizational policies.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate legal, fiduciary, and regulatory risks associated with trust and estate activities.
• Support complex client situations by developing practical solutions that balance client objectives, fiduciary responsibilities, and legal risk.
• Collaborate with external attorneys, accountants, wealth advisors, and tax professionals to support client needs and long-term planning objectives.
• Monitor account activity to ensure compliance with established company policies, fiduciary standards, regulatory requirements, and completion of annual Reg. 9 reviews.
• Stay current on trust, estate, fiduciary, and wealth planning laws, regulations, and industry developments that may impact clients and trust operations.
• Maintain accurate records of client interactions, legal guidance, and account activity while ensuring confidentiality and data integrity.

Skills

Juris Doctor

Active license

Trust & estate law

Client relationship management

Regulatory compliance

Communications skills

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Active law license (US)

Job description

First American is seeking a Relationship Manager, Trust Counsel to serve as a trusted legal advisor on trust and estate matters for high-net-worth individuals and families. You will guide fiduciaries, review estate documents, and collaborate across internal teams to ensure regulatory compliance and sound wealth transfer strategies.

The role emphasizes building long-term client relationships, risk assessment, and practical solutions balancing client objectives with fiduciary duties.