Trusts & Estates Attorney

Golden Oaks Law Group, LLP; Upland (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement benefits

Health coverage

Job summary

Golden Oaks Law Group is seeking a mid-level trusts and estates attorney in California who will own a full caseload from intake to execution. You will lead estate planning work, administer post-mortem matters, and collaborate with a managing partner and paralegal team.

The role emphasizes building client relationships, clear guidance, and a long-term path toward partnership in a boutique Inland Empire firm with nearly three decades of history.

Qualifications

• Active California bar license with 3–5 years of trust and estate experience.
• Ownership mindset; able to manage matters with minimal supervision.
• Strong client communication and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to lead and direct support staff effectively.
• Clear, confident communication with clients and colleagues.
• Desire for long-term growth with leadership or ownership ambitions.

Responsibilities

• Own the full lifecycle of estate planning matters: intake, strategy, drafting, execution, and follow-up.
• Prepare and review wills, revocable living trusts, powers of attorney, and related documents.
• Advise on estate tax planning, asset titling, beneficiary designations, and trust funding.
• Handle post-mortem matters including trust administration, probate, and estate settlements.
• Coordinate with CPAs and financial advisors to align estate plans with broader financial strategy.
• Lead paralegal team and ensure accuracy of work product.

Skills

Estate planning

Client relations

Education

California Bar License

Job description

This isn't a posting for just anyone. We're looking for a mid-level trusts and estates attorney who wants more than a job — someone who wants ownership over their work, a meaningful relationship with clients, and a clear path toward becoming a partner at a well-run boutique firm with nearly three decades of history in the Inland Empire.

If you've spent 3–5 years developing your craft and you're ready to step into a role where your work genuinely matters, keep reading.

About the Role

Golden Oaks Law Group is a boutique trust and estate law firm serving families and individuals across the Inland Empire. This attorney will own a full caseload of estate planning matters from intake to execution — as the primary attorney of record, not a support role. That work spans drafting and executing planning documents, post-mortem trust and estate administration, and uncontested court matters including probates, conservatorships, and guardianships. You will build real relationships with clients, collaborate with our Managing Partner on complex matters, and work alongside our paralegal team.

For the right person, this role leads to partnership. We're looking for someone to help build what comes next.

Key Responsibilities

Legal Work & Case Management

• Own the full lifecycle of estate planning matters: intake, strategy, drafting, execution, and follow-up.
• Prepare and review wills, revocable living trusts, powers of attorney, advance healthcare directives, and related instruments.
• Advise on estate tax planning, asset titling, beneficiary designations, and trust funding.
• Handle post-mortem matters including trust administration, probate proceedings, and estate settlements.
• Support disability planning engagements, including special needs trusts, conservatorships, and ABLE account planning.
• Review existing estate plans brought in by new clients, identifying gaps or planning opportunities.
• Coordinate with clients' CPAs and financial advisors to integrate estate plans with broader financial strategy.
• Manage matter deadlines, filing deadlines, and trustee reporting obligations.

Client Relationship Management

• Serve as the primary point of contact for your matters — accessible, responsive, and proactive.
• Translate complex legal concepts into clear, practical guidance for clients.
• Conduct in-person client meetings for intake, plan review, and document signing.
• Proactively reach out to existing clients as life events occur to keep plans current.
• Handle sensitive family dynamics with discretion, particularly in blended family, incapacity, or post-death contexts.
• Respond to client inquiries within one business day.

Firm Collaboration

• Co-counsel with the Managing Partner on high-complexity or high-value matters.
• Direct the paralegal team — assigning tasks, setting priorities, and reviewing work product for accuracy.
• Participate in regular matter status reviews to keep the caseload moving efficiently.
• Contribute to firm templates, checklists, and standard operating procedures.
• Stay current on changes to California probate, trust, and tax law.

Who This Role Is For

• Active California bar license with 3–5 years of trust and estate experience.
• Takes ownership of their work without needing to be told what to do next.
• Deep care for clients — understands estate planning is about people, not paperwork.
• Communicates clearly and confidently with clients and colleagues.
• Comfortable directing support staff and setting clear expectations.
• Thrives in a small, high-performance environment.
• Looking for a long-term professional home with eventual leadership or ownership ambitions.

Who This Role Is NOT For

• Needs significant hand-holding to manage a caseload day-to-day.
• Not comfortable with in-person, full-time work — this is not hybrid or remote.
• Views this as a stepping stone to something else within 1–2 years.
• Has no background in trusts and estates — general practice experience alone is not sufficient.
• Prefers to work in isolation and isn't interested in contributing to a team's success.

Compensation & Growth

• Base salary: Commensurate with experience.
• Annual performance bonus tied to caseload outcomes and firm-wide results.
• Real partnership track eligibility for demonstrated performers.
• Paid CLE and bar dues covered.
• Benefits package including retirement and health coverage.

Why Join Golden Oaks

• 28+ years of firm history — stability, reputation, and a book of clients to build on.
• Real mentorship — direct access to a Managing Partner with deep T&E expertise.
• A values-driven culture guided by I-PEACE: Integrity, People First, Excellence, Always Improving, Client Experience, Efficiency with Grace.
• A genuine path to ownership for those who earn it.

We review every application personally. Qualified candidates will be contacted for a brief phone screen.