Trusts and Estates Attorney

Shannon & Wright LLP; Alexandria (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Shannon & Wright LLP in Alexandria, VA, seeks an experienced attorney for its Trusts and Estates Practice to advise clients on estate planning, trust administration, and related tax matters. The role involves working with individuals, families, fiduciaries, and business owners, with opportunities to handle litigation as needed.

Admission to the Virginia Bar is required; MD and DC credentials are a plus. The position offers flexibility to base out of our Alexandria or Leesburg office and includes

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of substantive Wills, Trusts and Estates experience.
• Strong knowledge of wills, trusts, fiduciary law, probate procedures, and estate administration.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong drafting, analytical, and organizational abilities.
• Experience with Interactive Legal Services and Clio is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Advise clients on comprehensive estate planning, including wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, powers of attorney, and advance medical directives.
• Develop tailored estate plans that address complex family structures, tax concerns, and charitable giving.
• Draft, review, and amend estate planning documents to ensure legal compliance and alignment with client goals.
• Counsel clients on estate and gift tax implications and generation-skipping transfer taxes.
• Guide executors, administrators, trustees, and beneficiaries probate and trust administration.
• Prepare probate and qualification filings for the appropriate Virginia circuit court clerk and prepare inventories, accountings, and related submissions to the Commissioner of Accounts.
• Advise fiduciaries regarding notices, claims, asset collection and valuation, trust funding, tax matters, distributions, and fiduciary duties under Virginia law.
• Identify and help resolve disputes involving fiduciary administration, beneficiary rights, will or trust interpretation, and related issues; coordinate with litigation counsel when appropriate.

Skills

Wills & Trusts experience

Fiduciary law knowledge

Estate tax knowledge

Drafting & communication

Multitasking & deadlines

Tax law updates

Education

Virginia Bar admission

Tools

Interactive Legal Services

Clio

Job description

Shannon & Wright LLP, a growing and nationally recognized firm, is seeking an experienced attorney to join its sophisticated Trusts and Estates Practice. The attorney will provide legal counsel in all areas of estate planning, trust administration, and estate administration, including litigation, as needed. This attorney will work directly with individuals, families, fiduciaries, and business owners on estate planning, trust and estate administration, and related tax matters. The role requires familiarity with federal and state estate, gift, fiduciary income, and generation-skipping transfer tax concepts. Admission to the Virginia Bar is required, MD and DC is a plus. This position has the flexibility to be based out of our Alexandria or Leesburg office.

S&W is committed to our core values of Professionalism, Integrity and Loyalty to create a supportive team environment that fosters personal and professional growth. S&W provides a competitive salary with benefits package along with bonus opportunities.

Key Job Responsibilities Include:

Estate Planning and Trust

• Advise clients on comprehensive estate planning, including wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, powers of attorney, and advance medical directives.
• Develop tailored estate plans that address complex family structures, tax concerns, and charitable giving.
• Draft, review, and amend estate planning documents to ensure legal compliance and alignment with client goals.
• Counsel clients on estate and gift tax implications and generation-skipping transfer taxes.

Trust and Estate Administration

• Guide executors, administrators, trustees, and beneficiaries probate and trust administration.
• Prepare probate and qualification filings for the appropriate Virginia circuit court clerk and prepare inventories, accountings, and related submissions to the Commissioner of Accounts.
• Advise fiduciaries regarding notices, claims, asset collection and valuation, trust funding, tax matters, distributions, and fiduciary duties under Virginia law.
• Identify and help resolve disputes involving fiduciary administration, beneficiary rights, will or trust interpretation, and related issues; coordinate with litigation counsel when appropriate.

Ideal Candidates will:

• Have a minimum of 2 years of substantive Wills, Trusts and Estates experience
• Strong knowledge of wills, trusts, fiduciary law, probate procedures, and estate administration
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills Provide a high level of professionalism in communicating with clients and while conducting sensitive and confidential client meetings
• Have strong drafting, analytical, and organizational skills
• Demonstrate the ability to manage multiple matters and meet deadlines
• Stay current on evolving trust, estate, and tax laws at both state and federal levels
• Have experience with Interactive Legal Services and Clio software
• Demonstrated interest in estate planning

All successful candidates will be required to pass a criminal background check.

Shannon & Wright, LLP is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.