Senior Trusts & Estates Attorney

Fischer Harbage; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with employer match

Health insurance

Short- and long-term disability

Professional dues

CLEs

Licensing and malpractice coverage

Birthday holiday

One paid volunteer day each month

Summer Fridays

Generous PTO and holidays

Performance-based bonuses

Hybrid work schedule

Job summary

Fischer Harbage seeks a Senior Trusts and Estates attorney to advise individuals and families on estate planning, wealth transfer, and sophisticated tax planning. The role emphasizes high-quality legal work with no billable hour targets and a potential partnership track.

You will lead complex planning, draft advanced documents, and collaborate with cross-functional professionals. Hybrid work options and growth opportunities are offered.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school and bar in good standing in NY.
• LL.M in Taxation or substantial advanced tax planning experience is a plus.
• Admission to practice in New Jersey or Connecticut is a plus.

Responsibilities

• 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, LLC 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 petitions and supporting documents with the Surrogate's Court.
• Collaborate with accountants, financial advisors, and other professionals to implement comprehensive planning strategies.
• Mentor junior attorneys, review work product, and contribute to firm standards and processes.

Job description

We are seeking a Senior Trusts 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.

We offer a collaborative environment that prioritizes high-quality legal work over billable hour targets, with no billable hour requirements or time tracking. For attorneys interested in long-term growth and leadership, a partnership track is also available.

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

Benefits

• 401(k) with employer match
• Health insurance
• Short- and long-term disability insurance
• Professional dues
• CLEs
• Licensing and malpractice coverage
• Birthday holiday
• One paid volunteer day each month
• Summer Fridays
• Generous PTO and holidays
• Performance-based bonuses
• Hybrid work schedule