Senior Level Trusts & Estates Attorney

Fischer Harbage; New York (NY); On-site; USD 250,000 - 325,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) with employer match

Short- and long-term disability

Job summary

Fischer Harbage seeks a Senior Trusts & Estates attorney to advise individuals and families on complex estate and wealth transfer planning, including tax considerations and cross-border matters. You will solo-manage matters, mentor junior attorneys, and collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to implement sophisticated plans.

The ideal candidate has a strong tax background, extensive experience in estate planning, and the judgment to independently handle matters while guiding the team.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school.
• Admission to practice in New York and in good standing.
• At least 6–9 years of substantial experience handling sophisticated estate planning matters.
• LL.M in Taxation or substantial advanced tax planning experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Advise clients on sophisticated estate and wealth transfer strategies involving trusts, business entities, and planning structures.
• Design and implement complex estate plans with tax considerations.
• Draft and review trusts, wills, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, LLCs, and related documents.
• Counsel on charitable giving, business succession, asset protection, and cross-border planning.
• Manage probate and administration proceedings with Surrogate's Court.
• Analyze and modify existing estate plans as families and laws change.
• Collaborate with accountants, financial advisors, and other professionals to implement strategies.
• Mentor junior attorneys and help refine drafting standards and workflows.
• Build strong client relationships and stay updated on trust, estate, tax laws.

Skills

Drafting

Analytical skills

Research

Issue spotting

Client counseling

Mentoring

Education

J.D. (accredited law school)

LL.M. in Taxation (plus)

Job description

We are seeking a Senior level Trust and Estates attorney who enjoys advising individuals and families on a range of estate planning needs, solving complex planning challenges, and collaborating with a highly engaged team. The role includes comprehensive estate planning for individuals and families, as well as more sophisticated matters for high-net-worth clients.

The ideal candidate will have the experience and judgement to independently manage estate planning matters while mentoring junior attorneys. A strong tax background and experience designing and implementing sophisticated estate and wealth transfer strategies, including SLATs, GRATs, IDGTs, ILITs, family entities, charitable planning, and federal and state gift, estate, and generation-skipping transfer tax planning, are valued but not required.

You Will

• Advise clients on sophisticated estate and wealth transfer strategies involving trusts, business entities, and other planning structures designed to preserve wealth, minimize taxation, and accomplish clients' personal and family objectives
• Design and implement complex estate plans involving federal and state gift, estate, and generation-skipping transfer tax considerations
• Draft and review advanced estate planning documents, including wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, family limited partnerships, limited liability company agreements, and related instruments
• Counsel clients regarding charitable giving, business succession, asset protection considerations, and cross-border or multi-jurisdictional planning matters
• Independently manage probate and administration proceedings, including the preparation and filing of petitions and supporting documents with the Surrogate's Court
• Analyze existing estate plans and recommend appropriate modifications based on changes in clients' families, finances, residency, business interests, or applicable law
• Collaborate with accountants, financial advisors, insurance professionals, valuation experts, corporate trustees, and attorneys in other jurisdictions to implement comprehensive planning strategies
• Mentor junior attorneys, review work product, and provide substantive guidance and professional development
• Help refine the firm's drafting standards, internal systems, workflows, knowledge resources, and best practices
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, colleagues, and professional referral sources
• Stay current on developments in federal and state trust, estate, tax, and related laws

Requirements

• J.D. from an accredited law school
• Admission to practice in New York and good standing with the bar
• At least 6-9 years of substantial experience handling sophisticated estate planning matters
• Strong knowledge of federal and New York gift, estate, and generation-skipping transfer tax planning
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage complex client matters from initial consultation through drafting, execution, and implementation
• Excellent drafting, analytical, research, issue spotting, and client counseling skills
• Admission to practice in New Jersey or Connecticut is a plus
• An LL.M in Taxation or substantial advanced tax planning experience is a plus

What we're looking for

• A genuine interest in sophisticated estate and tax planning
• Strong technical knowledge, analytical ability, and professional judgement
• Exceptional client counseling skills and the ability to explain complicated legal and tax concepts clearly and practically
• A collaborative leadership style and genuine interest in mentoring other attorneys
• A proactive, organized, and detail-oriented approach to managing matters and deadlines
• The ability to navigate sensitive family, financial, and interpersonal dynamics with confidence, discretion, and compassion
• An interest in contributing to the continued growth, development, and reputation of the firm
• $250,000–$325,000 Salary based on experience
• 401(k) with employer match
• Health insurance
• Short- and long-term disability insurance