Probate Attorney

NW Legacy Law, P.S.; Vancouver (WA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

401(k) plan

PTO

Sabbatical

Life & Disability

Training Budget

Job summary

NW Legacy Law, P.S. in Vancouver, WA seeks an Estate Settlement Attorney to advise clients, guide a support team, and represent clients in county courts across Oregon and Washington.

You own the client relationship from first consultation through close of engagement, and you report to the Founding Attorney. You will handle estate settlement, probate, trust administration, and tax matters with a focus on clarity and efficiency, while maintaining high professional standards and collaborating with

Qualifications

• Active member in good standing of the WA or OR State Bar.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience with probate or estate settlement preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead client consultations and ongoing meetings; assess goals and explain options.
• Provide legal advice and strategy for estate settlement matters.
• Present scope of services and fees; set engagement terms and keep clients informed.
• Direct the support team on document drafting and revisions; represent clients in county court hearings.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Education

State Bar member (WA or OR)

Tools

Case management software

Microsoft Office

Job description

NW Legacy Law, P.S. is a boutique estate planning and probate firm in Vancouver, Washington. Founded in 2014, we help clients protect what they’ve built, provide for the people they love, and leave a lasting legacy for the next generation.

We take the work seriously. Our team is direct and holds itself to a high standard. We value people who take initiative, communicate clearly, and do right by clients and colleagues alike. If you bring your best and expect the same from others, you’ll fit in well here.

ROLE OVERVIEW

Reports To: Founding Attorney

Compensation: $90,000 – $120,000 annually, depending on experience

NW Legacy Law helps families settle estates and move through probate with clarity and efficiency. As an Estate Settlement Attorney, you advise clients directly, guide a support team through each case, and represent clients in county courts across Oregon and Washington. You own the client relationship from first consultation through the close of each engagement.

WHY JOIN US

• Real impact. You help families during a difficult time and see each matter through to resolution.
• Set up to succeed. You step into a defined workflow with a support team and mentorship from the Founding Attorney.
• Established and recognized. You join a firm that has served Clark County families since 2014, with a steady client base and recognition.
• Range of estate work. You handle estate settlement, probate, trust administration, and tax matters, with access to professional networks including WealthCounsel and NAELA.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Client Relations

• Lead client consultations and ongoing meetings. Assess goals, identify issues, and answer questions clearly.
• Provide legal advice and strategy for estate settlement matters.
• Present the scope of services and associated fees for proposed work.
• Explain the estate settlement process from consultation through close of engagement.
• Set engagement terms, including extended or supplemental terms when work goes beyond original scope.
• Keep clients informed at each stage of their matter.

Case Management

• Direct the support team on document drafting so each draft meets the client’s needs and objectives.
• Review prepared estate settlement documents and give clear direction on revisions.
• Explain estate settlement documents and procedures to clients and team members in plain terms.
• Represent clients at county court hearings in Oregon and Washington, prepared and professional.
• Communicate respectfully with co-counsel, opposing counsel, court staff, and other third parties.
• Respond to emails, calls, and internal messages promptly.
• Track time on hourly matters promptly and accurately — though most of our work is fixed-price, so the focus is on doing the work well, not watching the clock.

Team and Firm

• Follow the team’s workflow so cases move on schedule.
• Meet deadlines and commitments to clients and the firm.
• Come prepared to client and firm meetings, ready to contribute.
• Maintain Washington or Oregon Bar membership in good standing and earn admission to the other state within 12 months.
• Complete CLEs and share relevant takeaways with the team.
• Conduct legal research as needed.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Active member in good standing of the Washington or Oregon State Bar.
• At least 2 years of legal experience; probate or estate settlement experience preferred.
• Working knowledge of Washington or Oregon probate procedures.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Comfortable with case management software and Microsoft Office.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Active Washington AND Oregon State Bar membership.
• Notary public license in Oregon or Washington.
• Knowledge of Oregon and Washington trust administration.
• Knowledge of Oregon, Washington, and federal estate tax, including asset allocation and estate tax returns.
• Experience administering taxable estates.
• Experience drafting estate planning documents for Oregon and Washington.

WHO THRIVES HERE

• You apply legal knowledge to solve real client problems.
• You spot issues early and offer practical solutions.
• You manage several matters at once without losing the details.
• You work independently and stay motivated.
• You enjoy questions, problem-solving, and working as part of a team.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

NW Legacy Law offers a comprehensive benefits package:

$90,000 – $120,000 annually, depending on experience

Health Insurance

Medical coverage available after 60 days of employment

401(k)

Eligible after 4 months; firm provides a 4% match on 5% contribution

Paid Time Off

10 days PTO in year one, increasing to 15 days after 2 years and 20 days after 6 years

4-week paid sabbatical after every 4 years of service

Life & Disability

Basic Life, AD&D, and Long-Term Disability at no cost

Professional Development

Annual budget for training, conferences, and continuing education

Paid holidays, bereavement leave, EAP counseling, and complimentary estate planning services

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This is a full-time, on-site position at our Vancouver, Washington office. In-person presence allows for close collaboration with your team and clients. Standard office conditions apply: seated or standing computer work, occasional lifting up to 50 lbs, and stair access to the second floor.

NW Legacy Law operates in an at-will employment state (Washington). The firm values trust, accountability, and results, and encourages team members to find a rhythm that supports high performance and a sustainable workload.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

NW Legacy Law, P.S. is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.