Senior Relationship Manager, Trust Counsel (Hybrid)

First American; United States; Remote; USD 149,000 - 198,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401k

PTO / paid sick leave

Employee stock purchase plan

Job summary

First American seeks a Senior Relationship Manager, Trust Counsel to manage client relationships and provide legal guidance on trust services. This role combines relationship management with fiduciary expertise to ensure regulatory compliance and alignment with company policies.

The candidate will review trust documents, draft agreements, and partner with business units to deliver compliant trust services while mitigating legal risks.

Qualifications

• JD from an accredited law school.
• Active license to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• 5–12+ years of experience in trust law, estate planning, estate settlement, trust administration, or related legal field.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain strong relationships with firm clients and internal stakeholders.
• Provide legal advice and guidance on trust-related matters, including compliance and risk management.
• Review, draft, and interpret trust documents, agreements, and related legal materials.
• Partner with business units to ensure trust services are delivered in accordance with legal and regulatory requirements.
• Identify and mitigate legal risks associated with trust activities.
• Support client onboarding, account maintenance, and issue resolution.
• Stay current on applicable laws, regulations, and industry trends impacting trust services.
• Monitor account activity ensuring compliance with established company policies and procedures, rules and regulations, including completion of annual Reg. 9 reviews.
• Foster strong relationships with clients, acting as a trusted advisor and addressing their financial concerns with professionalism and expertise.
• Keep accurate records of client interactions and transactions, ensuring data integrity and confidentiality

Skills

Relationship management

Legal analysis

Regulatory compliance

Communication skills

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

Who We Are

Join a team that puts its People First! Since 1889, First American (NYSE: FAF) has held an unwavering belief in its people. They are passionate about what they do, and we are equally passionate about fostering an environment where all feel welcome, supported, and empowered to be innovative and reach their full potential. Our inclusive, people-first culture has earned our company numerous accolades, including being named to the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For® list for eleven consecutive years. We have also earned awards as a best place to work for women, diversity and LGBTQ+ employees, and have been included on more than 50 regional best places to work lists. First American will always strive to be a great place to work, for all. For more information, please visit www.careers.firstam.com.

What We Do

The Senior Relationship Manager, Trust Counsel is responsible for managing client relationships while providing legal guidance related to trust services. This role serves as a key point of contact for clients, ensuring high-quality service, regulatory compliance, and alignment with organizational policies. The position combines relationship management with legal expertise to support trust operations and client needs.

What You’ll Do:

• Build and maintain strong relationships with firm clients and internal stakeholders
• Provide legal advice and guidance on trust-related matters, including compliance and risk management
• Review, draft, and interpret trust documents, agreements, and related legal materials
• Partner with business units to ensure trust services are delivered in accordance with legal and regulatory requirements
• Identify and mitigate legal risks associated with trust activities
• Support client onboarding, account maintenance, and issue resolution
• Stay current on applicable laws, regulations, and industry trends impacting trust services
• Monitors account activity ensuring compliance with established company policies and procedures, rules and regulations, including completion of annual Reg. 9 reviews.
• Foster strong relationships with clients, acting as a trusted advisor and addressing their financial concerns with professionalism and expertise
• Keep accurate records of client interactions and transactions, ensuring data integrity and confidentiality

What You’ll Bring:

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school
• Active license to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction
• 5-12+ years of experience in trust law, estate planning, estate settlement, trust administration, or related legal field
• Experience in client relationship management preferred
• Strong understanding of fiduciary responsibilities and trust administration
• Excellent communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to balance legal risk with business objectives
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills
• High attention to detail and organizational abilities
• Collaborative mindset with the ability to work cross-functionally

Pay Range: $148,600.00 - $198,200.00 Annually

This hiring range is a reasonable estimate of the base pay range for this position at the time of posting. Pay is based on a number of factors which may include job-related knowledge, skills, experience, business requirements and geographic location.

** Note that the following statements only apply to candidates who will be working from an unincorporated area within Los Angeles County. **

First American will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with arrest or conviction records, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws (e.g., the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act).

First American intends to conduct a review of an applicant's criminal history in connection with a conditional offer. First American reasonably believes that a criminal history may have a direct, adverse and negative relationship with the following material job duties for this position potentially resulting in the withdrawal of the conditional offer of employment: handling of confidential, proprietary or trade secret information belonging to First American or its customers, administrating or facilitating financial transactions, and the ability to meet customer-imposed criminal history requirements.

What We Offer

By choice, we don't simply accept individuality – we embrace it, we support it, and we thrive on it! Our People First culture is inclusive for all employees - not just because it's the right thing to do, but because it's the key to our success. We are proud to foster an authentic and inclusive workplace For All. You are free and encouraged to bring your entire, unique self to work. First American is an equal opportunity employer in every sense of the term.

Based on eligibility, First American offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 401k, PTO/paid sick leave and other great benefits like an employee stock purchase plan.