Probate Trial Attorney

Durfee Law Group, PLLC; Mesa (AZ); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Durfee Law Group in Mesa, AZ seeks a Probate Attorney with strong Arizona probate procedure knowledge and a warm, high-touch approach to client care. You will manage a full probate caseload from filing through closing, guiding executors, administrators, and beneficiaries with clarity and empathy.

The ideal candidate has 3+ years of probate/estate administration experience, familiarity with court procedures, and the ability to navigate disputes, hearings, and settlements while upholding white

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor and active Arizona license to practice, or eligibility.
• Three years of legal probate/estate experience is preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication and empathy to guide clients through difficult times.

Responsibilities

• Manage a full caseload of probate matters from filing through closing.
• Serve as primary contact for executors, administrators, and beneficiaries with clear communication.
• Prepare and file pleadings, inventories, and court documents in Arizona probate matters.
• Anticipate and resolve complications like contested wills and creditor claims.
• Coordinate with trust administration, estate planning, and paralegals for a seamless client experience.
• Represent clients at hearings and in probate litigation when needed.
• Maintain meticulous case files and calendars to ensure deadlines are met.
• Uphold a white glove, client-centered service standard.

Skills

Client communication

Caseload management

Legal research

Empathy

Courtroom presence

Education

Juris Doctor

Arizona license eligible

Tools

PracticePanther

HotDocs

Job description

About Durfee Law Group

Durfee Law Group is an estate planning, probate, and trust administration firm built around a simple idea: families going through loss and transition deserve more than competent legal work — they deserve to feel cared for. Our team guides clients through some of the most sensitive moments in their lives with clarity, patience, and precision, and we hold ourselves to a standard of white glove service at every step, from the first phone call to the final distribution.

Position Summary

We are looking for a Probate Attorney who combines strong technical command of Arizona probate procedure with genuine warmth and a high-touch approach to client care. This role manages a full probate caseload from filing through closing, and serves as a steady, reassuring presence for executors, administrators, and beneficiaries — many of whom are navigating grief, family dynamics, and an unfamiliar legal process for the first time. The right attorney will be as comfortable in front of a judge as they are on the phone with a worried family member, and will treat both with the same level of care.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a full caseload of formal, informal, and supervised probate matters from opening through final distribution and closing.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for executors, administrators, and beneficiaries, providing clear, compassionate, and responsive communication throughout the process.
• Prepare and file all required pleadings, inventories, accountings, notices, and court documents in accordance with Arizona probate law and procedure.
• Anticipate complications before they arise — creditor claims, contested wills, disputes among heirs — and resolve them proactively and diplomatically.
• Coordinate closely with the firm's trust administration, estate planning, and paralegal teams so clients experience one seamless relationship with the firm, not a series of handoffs.
• Represent clients at hearings, mediations, and, when necessary, contested probate litigation.
• Maintain meticulous case files and calendaring so that deadlines, filings, and client commitments are never at risk.
• Uphold the firm's white glove standard: prompt follow-up, plain-language explanations, and a client experience that feels personal rather than transactional.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor and an active license to practice law in Arizona, or eligibility for prompt admission.
• At least three years of legal experience — any practice area, any title. We value a strong foundation and a genuine willingness to learn over a specific background.
• Meaningful experience in probate and estate administration.
• Trial Attorney experience, with a track record of litigating contested matters in the courtroom - will contests, trust and estate disputes, or other probate litigation.
• Working knowledge of the Arizona probate code, court procedures, and local practice.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the patience and empathy to guide clients through emotionally difficult circumstances.
• Strong organizational instincts and close attention to detail, particularly around deadlines and court filings.
• Familiarity with practice management and drafting systems such as PracticePanther and HotDocs is a plus.
• A collaborative, team-first mindset and a high degree of personal accountability.

Path to Partnership

Attorneys who thrive in this role have a clear runway for growth. After three years, attorneys become eligible to advance to Equity Equivalent Partner — receiving the compensation and title of an equity partner, without a capital buy-in.

What We Offer

Durfee Law Group offers competitive compensation, a collegial and supportive team environment, and the opportunity to do meaningful work that makes a genuine difference for families during difficult chapters of their lives. We invest in our attorneys' professional growth and are committed to maintaining a culture where thoughtful, client-centered work is recognized and valued.