Private Clients Associate

5 Legal; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

5 Legal, a Chicago-based international law firm, seeks an associate to join its Private Clients, Trust & Estates practice.

Ideal candidates have 3-5 years of experience across wills, trusts, and related areas, including drafting documents, structuring tax-efficient transactions, and preparing gift and estate tax returns. Experience with probate, client interfacing, and charitable foundations governance is preferred.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of experience in high net worth trusts and estates.
• Drafting wills, trusts and related documents.
• Structuring tax-efficient transactions and researching related matters.
• Preparation of gift and estate tax returns and handling audits.
• Administering probate proceedings.
• Interfacing with clients and their advisors/staff.
• Assisting in representation in trust and estate controversies.
• Establishing charitable foundations and governance matters.

Responsibilities

• Draft wills, trusts and related documents.
• Structure tax-efficient transactions and conduct research.
• Prepare gift and estate tax returns and assist audits.
• Administer probate proceedings.
• Interact with clients and advisors.
• Support in trust and estate controversies.
• Assist in establishing charitable foundations and governance.

Skills

Wills & Trusts drafting

Tax-efficient structuring

Estate tax returns preparation

Probate administration

Client interfacing

Trust & estate controversies

Charitable foundations governance

Education

J.D. or equivalent

Job description

An international law firm and one of the top 50 AmLaw firms is seeking an associate to join their Private Clients, Trust & Estates practice.

Ideal candidates will have 3-5 years of experience and should have a broad background with respect to all areas of a high net worth trusts and estates practice. This background should include the following:

• (1) drafting wills, trusts and related documents
• (2) structuring tax-efficient transactions, and performing research relating to the same
• (3) preparation of gift and estate tax returns (as well as handling audits of those returns)
• (4) administering probate proceedings
• (5) interfacing directly with clients and the advisors / staff of the clients
• (6) assisting in the representation of clients in trust and estate controversies
• (7) establishing charitable foundations and addressing tax and governance matters relating to charitable foundations

Qualified candidates will have strong law school academic credentials together with relevant and sophisticated law firm experience.