Trust & Estates Counsel

Syntax Talent Solutions; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Syntax Talent Solutions is seeking a Trust and Estates Counsel to enhance an existing practice in greater Chicago, serving ultra-high-net-worth families on complex tax, trust, and estate matters. This advisory role emphasizes deep technical judgment within a collaborative, hybrid environment.

You will guide clients through planning, return preparation, controversy management, and risk assessment, shaping wealth preservation and long-term wealth transfer outcomes for sophisticated clients.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
• Admission to at least one U.S. state bar in good standing.
• LLM in Taxation or equivalent advanced tax qualification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Advise ultra-high-net-worth clients on complex gift and estate tax planning, including structuring and implementing sophisticated wealth transfer strategies.
• Prepare and review individual income tax returns (Form 1040) and estate tax returns (Form 706) for high-complexity client situations.
• Lead tax controversy matters, including responding to IRS and state inquiries, audits, and examinations, and coordinating strategy and documentation.
• Conduct detailed tax risk assessments on proposed planning strategies, transactions, and structures, providing clear recommendations to mitigate exposure.
• Draft, review, and interpret revocable trusts and related estate planning documents in coordination with internal and external advisors.
• Collaborate with wealth, legal, and fiduciary teams to align tax, trust, and estate strategies with clients' broader financial and family objectives.
• Monitor changes in tax law and guidance affecting individual, gift, and estate taxation, and proactively update planning approaches and client advice.

Skills

Trusts & Estates

Tax planning

IRS/state tax controversy

Revocable trusts

Wealth transfer strategies

Communication skills

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Bar admission in good standing (US)

LLM in Taxation (preferred)

Member of ACTEC or equivalent

Tools

Tax software

Job description

Syntax Talent Solutions is seeking a Trust and Estates Counsel to enhance an existing practice in greater Chicago. Step into a pivotal advisory role with a firm that serves ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families on their most complex tax, trust, and estate matters. You'll work in a collaborative, hybrid environment where your technical depth and judgment directly shape sophisticated tax strategies and long-term wealth transfer outcomes.

About the Role

As T&E Counsel, you will provide specialized legal and tax counsel on individual, gift, and estate tax matters for ultra-high-net-worth clients, with a particular focus on complex planning structures and compliance. You will guide clients through the full lifecycle of tax planning, return preparation, controversy management, and risk assessment. Your work will influence key decisions on wealth preservation, succession planning, and the administration of revocable trusts and estates.

Key Responsibilities

• Advise ultra-high-net-worth clients on complex gift and estate tax planning, including structuring and implementing sophisticated wealth transfer strategies.
• Prepare and review individual income tax returns (Form 1040) and estate tax returns (Form 706) for high-complexity client situations.
• Lead tax controversy matters, including responding to IRS and state inquiries, audits, and examinations, and coordinating strategy and documentation.
• Conduct detailed tax risk assessments on proposed planning strategies, transactions, and structures, providing clear recommendations to mitigate exposure.
• Draft, review, and interpret revocable trusts and related estate planning documents in coordination with internal and external advisors.
• Collaborate with wealth, legal, and fiduciary teams to align tax, trust, and estate strategies with clients' broader financial and family objectives.
• Monitor changes in tax law and guidance affecting individual, gift, and estate taxation, and proactively update planning approaches and client advice.

Key Requirements

• Significant post-qualification experience in trusts and estates, with a strong focus on individual, gift, and estate taxation.
• Proven experience managing tax controversies, including audits, examinations, and dispute resolution with the IRS and state tax authorities.
• Demonstrable expertise in preparing and reviewing complex Form 1040 and Form 706 returns for ultra-high-net-worth clients.
• Strong background working with complex gift and estate tax structures, including advanced wealth transfer techniques.
• Hands-on experience advising on and administering revocable trusts in a high-net-worth context.
• Advanced analytical skills with the ability to identify, assess, and communicate tax risks in complex fact patterns.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain technical issues clearly to sophisticated but non-technical clients.
• Experience in a private client, family office, or boutique trusts and estates practice serving ultra-high-net-worth individuals.
• Familiarity with cross-border tax and estate planning issues affecting globally mobile clients.
• Prior involvement in developing or implementing tax risk frameworks or internal tax governance processes.
• Comfort working with integrated teams of investment, legal, and fiduciary professionals in a collaborative environment.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
• Admission to at least one U.S. state bar in good standing.
• LLM in Taxation or equivalent advanced tax qualification preferred.
• Relevant professional memberships (e.g., ACTEC, tax or estate planning sections of bar associations) advantageous.

If you are a technically strong T&E Counsel who thrives on complex tax and estate matters for ultra-high-net-worth clients, this role offers the platform to deepen your expertise and make a tangible impact.