Litigation Attorney - Trusts & Estates

AgUpdate; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Flexible schedule

401(k)

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Job summary

Brothers Henderson Durkin, P.S. seeks a Trust & Estate Litigation Attorney to manage complex disputes involving trusts, estates, probate, fiduciary duties, and TEDRA in Washington. The role requires handling contested matters from investigation to resolution with strategic judgment.

Hybrid work environment with 2–3 days in the office. Preference for candidates with a portable book of business and solid litigation track record in fiduciary matters.

Qualifications

• Active member in good standing with the Washington State Bar Association.
• Strong litigation skills, including research, drafting, motions, negotiation, and advocacy.
• Ability to handle complex matters with sound judgment and strategy.
• Excellent written and oral advocacy; ability to prepare persuasive briefs.
• Highly organized with multiple deadlines and matters.
• Strong interpersonal skills for family/fiduciary disputes.
• Proficient with case management, e-filing, and document management.

Responsibilities

• Represent beneficiaries, fiduciaries, trustees, and interested parties in contested trust/estate matters (TEDRA, will contests, fiduciary litigation).
• Develop litigation strategy, assess case risk, and advise clients on options and outcomes.
• Conduct discovery, draft/respond to interrogatories, requests, subpoenas, and depositions.
• Appear in mediations, arbitrations, settlements, and court proceedings.
• Prepare and argue motions (dispositive, evidentiary, procedural).
• Draft pleadings, briefs, declarations, settlement agreements, and docs.
• Advise on accounting disputes, surcharge actions, capacity/undue influence issues.

Skills

Washington Bar active

Strong litigation skills

Judicial advocacy

Strategic thinking

Client counseling

Emotional intelligence

Legal technology

Education

Bar admission Washington

5+ years litigation

Portable book of business

Job description

At Brothers Henderson Durkin, P.S., our mission is to provide compassionate, high-quality counseling for individuals, families, and professionals in all aspects of planning and conflict resolution relating to aging, disability, death, and the passing of wealth between generations. Our clients can turn to us for knowledgeable legal advice and compassionate representation. We provide top-tier guidance in the following areas:

• Estate planning from a simple will to complex trusts to powers of attorney and health care directives
• Probate and issues related to administration of an estate
• Trust and estate litigation
• Disability law, including special education, guardianships, special needs trusts, and public benefits advocacy
• Elder law that spans long-term care planning to end-of-life issues
• Litigation & settlement planning and recovery management

Overview of Position

We are seeking a Trust & Estate Litigation Attorney who will be responsible for representing individuals, families, fiduciaries, and professionals in complex disputes involving trusts, estates, probate matters, fiduciary duties, capacity, undue influence, and related issues governed by Washington's Trust and Estate Dispute Resolution Act (TEDRA). This attorney will manage a high-level litigation practice that may include will contests, breach of fiduciary duty claims, trust and estate administration disputes, accounting disputes, trust modifications, surcharge actions, guardianship-related disputes, and other contested matters. The position requires substantial litigation experience, sound strategic judgment, and the ability to independently handle matters from initial investigation through resolution. Preference will be given to candidates with a portable book of business or demonstrated business development capability.

Key Responsibilities

Client Counseling & Representation

• Represent beneficiaries, fiduciaries, trustees, personal representatives, and interested parties in contested trust and estate matters, including TEDRA petitions, will contests, and fiduciary litigation.
• Develop and implement litigation strategy, including case assessment, risk evaluation, and client counseling on legal options and potential outcomes.
• Conduct discovery, including drafting and responding to interrogatories, requests for production, subpoenas, and deposition preparation.
• Represent clients in mediations, arbitrations, settlement negotiations, and court proceedings in both superior court and alternative dispute resolution settings.
• Prepare and argue motions, including dispositive motions, evidentiary motions, and procedural motions.
• Draft pleadings, briefs, declarations, settlement agreements, and other litigation documents.
• Advise fiduciaries and beneficiaries on contested probate and trust administration issues, including accounting disputes, surcharge actions, and claims involving capacity and undue influence.

Case Management & Legal Workflows

• Independently manage a complex litigation caseload, including deadlines, strategy, and communications with parties and opposing counsel.
• Conduct legal research and prepare detailed memoranda, case evaluations, and litigation analysis.
• Coordinate effectively with paralegals, litigation support staff, and other attorneys to facilitate efficient case progression.
• Maintain meticulous documentation, timekeeping, and billing practices consistent with firm standards.
• Management of litigation budget and client expectations regarding payment of attorney fees and costs.
• Engage in business development activities, including cultivating referral relationships and managing existing client relationships.

Client Service & Professionalism

• Provide clear and concise communication to clients regarding litigation strategy, developments, and expectations.
• Demonstrate professionalism, discretion, and sensitivity when handling emotionally charged disputes involving family dynamics and fiduciary conflicts.
• Present complex legal disputes in accessible terms to clients with varying levels of sophistication.
• Uphold the highest ethical standards in all interactions and maintain strict confidentiality.

Required Skills & Competencies

• Active member in good standing with the Washington State Bar Association
• Strong litigation skills, including legal research, drafting, motion practice, negotiation, and courtroom advocacy.
• Ability to handle complex and sensitive matters with sound judgment and strategic thinking.
• Excellent written and oral advocacy skills, with a proven ability to prepare persuasive briefs and arguments.
• Highly organized and able to manage multiple contested matters with competing deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence, particularly in navigating disputes involving families and fiduciaries.
• Proficiency with legal technology, including case management systems, e-filing, and document management platforms.

Preferred Education & Experience

• Strong interest in trust, estates, and/or fiduciary matters.
• Understanding of and litigation experience with Washington trust and estate law, probate law, fiduciary duties, and TEDRA procedures.
• Five or more years of litigation practice.
• A portable book of business and demonstrated ability to develop and retain client relationships.
• Experience or interest in appellate work.

Workplace & Culture

The firm operates in a hybrid work environment. Employees are required to work 2-3 days per week in the office, with the remaining days eligible for remote work.

Our firm values a warm, respectful, and collegial environment where employees enjoy their work and support one another in delivering excellent client service. Work/life balance is important to us, and we strive to foster a healthy, sustainable, and positive workplace.

Benefits

• Paid time off
• Flexible schedule
• 401(k)
• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Disability insurance

Brothers Henderson Durkin, P.S. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To request a disability accommodation in the application process, please send us an email or letter.