Senior Associate Attorney - Estate Planning / Drafting

Charles Russell Speechlys; Connecticut; Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Charles Russell Speechlys, based in Connecticut, seeks an experienced Estate Planner / Drafter (Senior Associate) to join our US Private Client & Tax practice. You will prepare bespoke estate planning documents for high-net-worth individuals and families, focusing on tax-efficient wealth transfer and sophisticated trust planning.

You will draft wills, trusts, powers of attorney and related documents, working closely with attorneys, financial advisors and clients to deliver comprehensive estate

Qualifications

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to work with some independence while escalating complex issues.
• Flexibility in a fast-paced and changing environment.

Responsibilities

• Draft and prepare a full suite of estate planning documents (wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, deeds, funding schedules).
• Prepare complete estate planning packages and ensure consistency across documents.
• Collaborate with attorneys, financial advisors and clients to implement estate planning strategies.
• Maintain template and drafting standards; incorporate revisions and meet deadlines.
• Support trust administration and estate settlement matters as needed.

Skills

Excellent communication

Analytical/problem-solving

Independent with escalation

Collaborative/team-oriented

Education

Connecticut or New York Bar admission

Tools

Estate planning software

Job description

We are an international law firm advising private capital at the intersection of personal, family and business. Our US platform is expanding, offering high-quality cross-border work within a collaborative, internationally connected practice.

We are seeking an experienced Estate Planner / Drafter (Senior Associate level) to join our growing US Private Client & Tax practice in Connecticut. This role offers the opportunity to join at an early stage in a growing international practice supporting attorneys in the preparation and delivery of bespoke estate planning documentation for high-net-worth individuals and families. The practice focuses on sophisticated estate planning for individuals and families, including taxable estates, wealth transfer strategies, and trust planning.

This is an excellent opportunity for an attorney who enjoys the technical and strategic side of estate planning and wants to work on complex, high-net-worth planning matters in a collaborative environment.

Roles and Responsibilities

Document Drafting & Technical Delivery

Draft and prepare a full suite of estate planning documents, including

• Wills (including tax-planned structures)
• Revocable and irrevocable trusts
• Advanced wealth transfer planning documents
• Powers of attorney and healthcare directives
• Ancillary documents (e.g. deeds, funding schedules, assignment documents)
• Customization of documentation based on attorney guidance, client intake data, and established firm templates
• Preparation of complete estate planning packages, ensuring consistency across all documents
• Work closely with attorneys, financial advisors and clients to support the implementation of comprehensive estate planning strategies
• Incorporate revisions and feedback efficiently, ensuring deadlines and client expectations are met
• Liaise with internal stakeholders to gather information and ensure smooth progression of matters
• Support junior drafters or paralegals where required, providing guidance on templates and firm drafting standards (where applicable at this level)

Workflow, Systems & Process Contribution

• Use estate planning software and firm templates to produce documents efficiently
• Maintain organised document management, including version control and file integrity
• Contribute to the refinement of templates, precedents, and internal drafting processes
• Stay current with developments in estate planning practices, including relevant legal and tax considerations
• Comply with all relevant legal and regulatory obligations including the New York and Connecticut
• Assist with trust administration and estate settlement matters as needed
• Review and analyze estate structures, asset titling, and tax considerations to support planning objectives

Skills and Experience

• A Senior Associate Attorney admitted to the Connecticut or New York State Bar (with willingness to obtain the other jurisdiction)
• Minimum 6+ years' experience drafting estate planning documents within a law firm or specialist legal environment
• Deep knowledge of trust and estate administration and tax planning for high-net-worth clients

Person Specification

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex information in a clear and concise manner
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work with a moderate level of independence while appropriately escalating complex issues
• Flexibility and adaptability in a fast-paced and changing environment
• Collegial and responsive to feedback
• Client-focused mindset with a track record of responsiveness and service excellence

Hybrid working

We adopt a hybrid and flexible working approach, dependent on the requirements of the role and subject to manager approval.

For a detailed specification please download the job description in the documents section of this page.