Senior Trust & Estate Counsel — Private Client, Hybrid

Barnes-&-Thornburg-LL; Indianapolis (IN); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Barnes & Thornburg LLP seeks a senior-level attorney to lead trust administration, probate, and estate settlement in Indianapolis. This role is the primary contact for fiduciaries and families, with autonomy in managing matters and opportunities to advise on planning.

Hybrid work arrangements are available for the right candidate. The ideal candidate has extensive experience in fiduciary matters, with strong knowledge of probate, trust law, and tax implications, and admission to the Indiana bar

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school with strong academic credentials.
• 10+ years in trust and estate administration, probate, and settlement in a sophisticated fiduciary setting.
• Ability to independently manage a high-volume, complex docket at a level comparable to a partner or senior officer.
• Deep knowledge of probate procedure, trust law, fiduciary duties, and post-death administration; Indiana probate and trust practice preferred.
• Experience advising individual and corporate fiduciaries, beneficiaries, and high-net-worth families.
• Estate planning drafting experience is a plus but not required.
• Exposure to fiduciary litigation, tax audits, or tax controversy matters is a plus.
• Excellent judgment, communication, and client-service skills with discretion for sensitive family dynamics.
• Admission to the Indiana bar, or eligibility to obtain admission promptly after hire.

Responsibilities

• Own and manage a full docket of trust administration, probate, and estate settlement matters from intake to closing.
• Guide personal representatives and trustees through all phases of administration, including marshaling, valuing, and retitling assets; paying debts, expenses, and claims; and distributions.
• Handle supervised and unsupervised estate administrations and trust-related court proceedings, including petitions, notices, inventories, accountings, distributions, and close filings.
• Interpret wills and trust instruments; advise on fiduciary powers, duties, and discretionary distributions.
• Counsel fiduciaries on duties, beneficiary communications, conflict avoidance, and risk management, including releases and settlements.
• Coordinate post-mortem tax planning and compliance with CPAs and fiduciaries.
• Identify and resolve administration issues such as modifications, decanting, nonjudicial settlements, DISCLAIMERS, and disputes; coordinate with litigation colleagues when contested.
• Oversee administration of closely held business interests, real estate, and illiquid assets held in estates and trusts.

Skills

Senior-level experience

Trust & estate administration

Fiduciary duties

Indiana bar admission

Education

J.D. from accredited law school

Job description

Barnes & Thornburg LLP seeks a senior-level attorney to lead trust administration, probate, and estate settlement in Indianapolis. This role is the primary contact for fiduciaries and families, with autonomy in managing matters and opportunities to advise on planning.

Hybrid work arrangements are available for the right candidate. The ideal candidate has extensive experience in fiduciary matters, with strong knowledge of probate, trust law, and tax implications, and admission to the Indiana bar