Senior Estate Planning Attorney

Sandahl & Damhof; BLOOMINGTON (MN); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) match

Paid holidays

CLE and professional development

Paralegal and legal assistant support

Job summary

Sandahl & Damhof is seeking an experienced estate planning attorney to step into a senior role in Bloomington, MN. The firm offers an established client base, strong paralegal support, and a hybrid in-office/remote schedule, with a focus on work-life balance.

You will lead client meetings, design comprehensive estate plans, and provide strategic tax planning while mentoring team members in a collaborative, small-firm environment.

Qualifications

• JD from an accredited law school and active Minnesota law license.
• Approximately 7+ years of relevant legal experience, with substantial experience in estate planning.
• Strong working knowledge of wills, revocable trusts, powers of attorney, health care directives, probate, and trust or estate administration.
• Experience advising clients on taxable estate planning, including planning around the Minnesota estate tax exemption.
• Ability to independently manage estate planning matters with limited supervision.
• Strong client relationship skills and comfort regularly leading client meetings.
• Based in or willing to relocate to the Twin Cities area. This is a hybrid position with regular in-office client meetings and team collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Meet directly with clients to understand goals and recommend estate planning strategies.
• Design and oversee estate plans involving wills, revocable trusts, powers of attorney, health care directives, and related documents.
• Advise clients on estates near or above Minnesota estate tax exemption and implement tax planning strategies.
• Handle probate, trust administration, and estate administration matters as needed.
• Communicate with clients through meetings, calls, and email throughout planning and administration.
• Translate legal and tax concepts into practical client advice and maintain independent matter management.

Education

J.D. / Juris Doctor

Job description

Sandahl & Damhof | Bloomington, MN | In-office with some remote work

Sandahl & Damhof is an estate planning law firm that works with high-net-worth families on estate and tax planning, probate, trust administration, and related wealth planning matters. We take a multidisciplinary approach, incorporating legal, tax, financial, and business considerations into the strategies we build for clients.

We are looking for an experienced estate planning attorney who can step into a senior role within our estate planning practice. This position is designed for an attorney who already knows how to practice in this area, enjoys working directly with clients, and wants to prioritize work-life balance in a relaxed setting.

You will be provided an established client base and a steady flow of work, along with experienced paralegal and legal assistant support. You will also play a leadership role within our estate planning group.

• Meet directly with clients to understand their goals, identify planning issues, and recommend appropriate estate planning strategies.
• Design and oversee estate plans involving wills, revocable trusts, powers of attorney, health care directives, and related planning documents.
• Advise clients with estates near or above the Minnesota estate tax exemption and implement appropriate tax planning strategies.
• Handle probate, trust administration, and estate administration matters as needed.
• Communicate directly with clients through meetings, phone calls, and email throughout the planning and administration process.
• Translate legal and tax concepts into practical advice clients can understand.
• Independently manage your matters, deadlines, and client relationships.

What Success Looks Like

The right candidate can take responsibility for an estate planning matter with limited supervision. You know the questions to ask, can identify issues before they become problems, and are comfortable making recommendations to clients.

This is a relationship focused position requiring that you’re good with people. Much of this position involves sitting across the table from clients, answering questions, addressing concerns, and helping families make important decisions.

We are looking for someone who combines technical knowledge with judgment, communication skills, and a strong sense of ownership over their work.

This is not a business-development position. You are not expected to bring an existing book of business or develop one in order to succeed. The firm will provide the client work necessary to support your practice and meet your performance expectations.

Who This Role May Be a Good Fit For

The right candidate will be an experienced attorney who enjoys estate planning and client work but also values a small-firm approach to work-life balance and lower billable requirements. You may have reached a point in your career where you want meaningful work, professional autonomy, a strong support team, and the opportunity to help lead a practice group without spending your time generating business or managing a law firm.

Qualifications

• JD from an accredited law school and active Minnesota law license.
• Approximately 7+ years of relevant legal experience, with substantial experience in estate planning.
• Strong working knowledge of wills, revocable trusts, powers of attorney, health care directives, probate, and trust or estate administration.
• Experience advising clients on taxable estate planning, including planning around the Minnesota estate tax exemption.
• Ability to independently manage estate planning matters with limited supervision.
• Strong client relationship skills and comfort regularly leading client meetings.
• Based in or willing to relocate to the Twin Cities area. This is a hybrid position with regular in-office client meetings and team collaboration.

Additional experience with business succession planning, real estate, wealth management, retirement assets, or advanced estate tax planning is helpful but not required.

Schedule

Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Location

Hybrid. Attorneys generally work three to four days per week from our Bloomington office with at least one dedicated work-from-home day. Because this is a client-facing position, candidates must live within commuting distance of Bloomington and be available for regular in-person meetings.

Compensation

Competitive salary based on relevant estate planning experience, technical knowledge, and ability to independently manage client matters. This position does not require an existing book of business, however ability to transfer a book of business and generate future work will be a consideration in setting compensation. Incentive compensation is also available based on individual performance.

• Health and dental insurance
• 401(k) match
• Paid holidays
• CLE and professional development support
• Dedicated paralegal and legal assistant support