Trust and Estate Litigation Attorney

Burrey Law Group

Orinda (CA)

Hybrid

USD 130,000 - 180,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision coverage

Retirement savings plan (401k)

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Paid Holidays

Discretionary bonuses

Job summary

Burrey Law Group in Orinda, CA seeks a seasoned Trust and Estate Litigation Attorney to join a high-performance team. You will provide strategic guidance, collaborate with partners to develop winning case strategies, and drive client advocacy in complex disputes.

The role emphasizes meticulous research, precise drafting, and proactive case management, with a focus on protecting clients’ legacies. You will handle in-depth research, drafting, discovery, and court appearances, while maintaining

Qualifications

JD from an accredited law school.
Active membership in good standing with the State Bar of California.
Minimum 3 years of experience as a litigation attorney in civil litigation, with probate/trust/estate experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Conduct in-depth legal research and analysis on complex trust and estate issues to develop sound case strategies.
Draft pleadings, demurrers, motions, discovery requests/responses, and trial briefs.
Manage discovery, including e-discovery, document review, and deposition prep.

Skills

Legal research

Trial preparation

Document drafting

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Active California State Bar

3+ years civil litigation experience

Job description

Location: Orinda, CA | Status: Full-Time

We are seeking a seasoned and strategic Trust and Estate Litigation Attorney to join our team. In this pivotal role, you will be a cornerstone of our litigation practice, responsible for providing exceptional guidance to clients and collaborating with partners to develop winning case strategies. Your work will be critical to our firm’s success and will directly impact our ability to deliver positive outcomes for clients facing complex disputes. You will play a key role in our mission, ensuring clients feel empowered and confident as they navigate challenging legal issues.

Our Mission

We build the legal foundations that empower our clients to protect their legacy and face the future with confidence.

Burrey Law Group, Inc. is a trusted, client-focused law firm in Orinda, CA, specializing in estate planning and administration, trust administration, conservatorships, and guardianships. We exist to provide clear guidance and peace of mind to our clients during stressful times.
Our firm operates on a set of core values we call “The BLG Standard”:

Lead with Accountability:We take absolute responsibility for the quality of our strategy, the diligence of our work, and the clarity of our counsel.
Architect with Purpose:We design durable solutions to secure our clients’ futures and advance our mission of service.
Serve with Generosity:We aim to deliver value that helps our clients, team, and community thrive.
Adversity is Opportunity:We embrace challenges as catalysts for innovation and breakthrough solutions.
Build for the Future:We are dedicated to the sustainable growth of our clients’ legacies and our team members’ careers.
Radical Transparency:Integrity is non-negotiable; we communicate with unwavering honesty.

We are a supportive, high-performance team where empathy, meticulous attention to detail, and client advocacy are paramount. We are a growing firm, and we believe our collective growth is tied directly to the growth of each individual team member.

Key Objectives

A successful Trust and Estate Litigation Attorney will achieve the following objectives, ranked in order of priority:

Conduct in-depth legal researchand analysis on complex trust and estate issues, applying legal principles to develop sound case strategies.
Draft a wide range of legal documents, including pleadings, demurrers, summary judgment motions, discovery requests and responses, and trial briefs.
Manage all aspects of discovery, including e-discovery, document review, and production, as well as witness and client preparation for depositions and trial.
Represent clients in court appearances, including hearings, case management conferences, and trials.
Provide direct counsel to clients, developing case strategy in collaboration with partners and maintaining regular, clear client communication.
Prepare for and participate in mediations, arbitrations, and settlement negotiations to achieve positive outcomes for clients.
Take and defend depositionsof parties, lay witnesses, and expert witnesses.
Manage case files with a high degree of autonomy, ensuring deadlines are met and cases progress efficiently toward resolution.

The ideal candidate will bring the following competencies to the Burrey Law Group to achieve their objectives:

Exceptional attention to detail

You are committed to producing precise, error-free work in a high-stakes environment.

Strategic litigation skills

You possess a strong ability to analyze legal issues, develop comprehensive case strategies, and execute them effectively in a courtroom setting.

Meet billable hour requirements

You have proven ability to manage your time and workload to meet a minimum of 1,700 billable hours per year.

Proactive problem-solving

You anticipate challenges and take initiative to resolve them, demonstrating sound judgment and decision-making skills under pressure.

Highly organized

You excel at managing multiple litigation cases and complex details simultaneously, ensuring deadlines are met and all tasks are completed efficiently.

You can communicate complex legal concepts clearly and professionally, both in writing and verbally, with clients, colleagues, and the court.

You thrive in a team environment, demonstrating a willingness to support others and contribute to a culture of mutual respect and accountability.

Empathetic and client-focused

You approach every interaction with compassion and a commitment to providing a remarkable client experience.

Education & Experience

Required:
Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
Active membership in good standing with the State Bar of California.
Minimum of3 years of experienceas a litigation attorney in a civil litigation environment, with a preference for experience in probate, trust, or estate litigation.
In-depth knowledge of California state court procedures and rules, particularly for e-filing in Contra Costa, San Francisco, and Alameda Counties.
Preferred (A Plus, Not Required):
A track record of handling cases from discovery through trial.

Physical Requirement

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Ability to remain in a stationary position for extended periods while operating a computer and other office equipment.
Frequent communication and exchange of information with clients, colleagues, and the court.
Ability to move about the office to access file cabinets, printers, and other office machinery.
Occasional lifting, moving, or carrying of files and boxes up10 pounds.

Commitment to Diversity

Burrey Law Group is an equal opportunity employer committed to meeting the needs of a multigenerational and multicultural workforce. We recognize that a diverse staff reflective of our community is an integral and welcome part of a successful and ethical business. We hire local talent at all levels regardless of race, color, religion, age, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability and actively foster inclusion in all forms, both within our company and across interactions with clients, candidates, and partners.

Why Join Burrey Law Group? What’s In It For You?

We value every member of our team and strive to create an environment where you can build a rewarding and sustainable career.

Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage options.
Retirement savings plan (e.g., 401(k) or similar).
Paid Time Off (PTO), including sick and vacation time.
Paid Holidays.
Discretionary, performance-based bonuses.
Play an integral role in our clients’ successes and make a difference.
Experience meaningful, challenging, and satisfying work.

Opportunity for Growth & Development

We support our team members’ desires to grow and advance.
Access learning opportunities that facilitate new responsibilities and professional achievement.

Supportive & Collaborative Team Environment

Join a culture of teamwork, mutual respect, and regular communication.
Your contributions to improving our practices and client service are valued.

Work/Life Integration

While legal work is demanding, we strive for an environment that supports “working to live,” not “living to work,” respecting your commitments outside the office.

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