Partner | Trusts & Estates Counsel | Ultra-High-Net-Worth Practice

Goodwin Recruiting; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); Hybrid; USD 250,000 - 500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) plan

Job summary

Goodwin Recruiting is seeking a Partner-Level Trusts & Estates Attorney for a private client practice focused on ultra-high-net-worth individuals and multigenerational families. The role emphasizes sophisticated planning, tax strategy, and discreet client service in a hybrid or remote setup. The ideal candidate has 10+ years of trusts and estates experience, a J.D.

from a top law school, and an LL.M. in Taxation or Estate Planning preferred.

Qualifications

• Ten years of trusts & estates experience
• Active membership in at least one U.S. state bar
• Experience with ultra-high-net-worth clients
• Deep knowledge of federal estate, gift, GST tax laws
• Experience with family offices and closely held businesses

Responsibilities

• Design and implement sophisticated estate plans for ultra-high-net-worth clients.
• Advise on federal estate, gift, and GST tax planning, including dynasty trusts.
• Manage trust and estate administration, including probate and fiduciary compliance.
• Counsel on succession planning and transfers for closely held businesses.
• Collaborate with family offices and advisors to deliver coordinated counsel.
• Navigate sensitive family matters with discretion and strong interpersonal skills.

Skills

Portable book of business (1M–7M)

Drafting

Analytical

Client management

Communication

Education

J.D. from a highly regarded law school

LL.M. in Taxation or Estate Planning (strongly preferred)

Job description

Trusts & Estates Partner | Ultra-High-Net-Worth Practice | Equity Share

Location: Mid-Atlantic Region Preferred | Hybrid or Remote Considered

Practice Area: Private Client Services & Estate Planning

The Opportunity

A sophisticated private client practice is seeking a Partner-Level Trusts & Estates Attorney to advise ultra-high-net-worth individuals, entrepreneurs, senior executives, and multigenerational families on complex estate planning, wealth preservation, and succession strategies.

This opportunity is ideal for an accomplished trusts and estates Partner Attorney who enjoys technically sophisticated work, values trusted client relationships, and understands that effective wealth planning requires more than legal documentation. It demands an integrated understanding of tax strategy, family dynamics, business ownership, and long-term wealth preservation.

Candidates based in the Mid-Atlantic region are preferred. Hybrid and remote arrangements may be considered for highly qualified candidates.

About the Practice

The practice advises individuals, business owners, executives, and multigenerational families navigating complex financial and personal decisions, from business liquidity events and executive compensation planning to multigenerational wealth transfer and legacy preservation.

Working at the intersection of sophisticated legal counsel and broader wealth strategy, the team collaborates with family offices, investment advisors, accountants, fiduciaries, and other trusted professionals to develop thoughtful, customized solutions for complex client needs.

What You'll Do

• Design and implement sophisticated estate plans for ultra-high-net-worth clients, utilizing advanced estate, gift, generation-skipping transfer, charitable, and multigenerational wealth transfer strategies.
• Advise on federal estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer (GST) tax planning, including dynasty trusts and long-term wealth preservation.
• Manage trust and estate administration, including probate, fiduciary compliance, post-mortem tax planning, and trust decanting.
• Counsel business owners and families on succession planning, closely held business transfers, buy-sell agreements, recapitalizations, and advanced wealth transfer strategies.
• Collaborate with family offices, financial advisors, accountants, and fiduciaries to deliver coordinated, comprehensive counsel.
• Navigate sensitive family matters with sound judgment, discretion, and exceptional interpersonal skills.

What You’ll Bring

• J.D. from a highly regarded law school; an LL.M. in Taxation or Estate Planning is strongly preferred.
• Active membership in at least one U.S. state bar; additional admissions relevant to the candidate's practice are advantageous.
• At least ten years of trusts and estates experience, with substantial exposure to ultra-high-net-worth clients.
• Deep knowledge of federal estate, gift, and GST tax laws, with familiarity with relevant state tax considerations and fiduciary income taxation.
• Demonstrated experience advising affluent individuals, business owners, and multigenerational families on sophisticated estate planning and administration matters.
• Experience working with family offices, closely held businesses, and complex multigenerational wealth structures.
• Excellent drafting, analytical, client management, and communication skills, coupled with the discretion required to advise families on highly sensitive matters.
• Demonstrated, portable book of business in the $1M–$7M range, with the ability to transition and continue developing client relationships.

Compensation & Benefits

Originated Revenue + Performed Revenue share with generous stipend.

Benefits for eligible full-time employees include medical, dental, and vision insurance, along with a 401(k) plan.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

• Sophisticated work: Advise ultra-high-net-worth clients on complex, high-impact wealth planning and succession matters.
• Meaningful client relationships: Build trusted relationships with individuals, families, business owners, and their advisory teams.
• Collaborative environment: Work alongside professionals who understand the intersection of legal strategy, tax planning, business ownership, and wealth preservation.
• Flexibility: Hybrid and remote arrangements may be considered, with a preference for candidates based in the Mid-Atlantic region.

This is an opportunity for an accomplished attorney to contribute to a sophisticated private client practice while delivering highly

personalized counsel to individuals and families with complex planning needs.

Aimee Krisfalusi