Trusts & Estates Partner

Bonham Solutions; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 400,000 - 800,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential Chicago law firm seeks an experienced Trusts & Estates Partner to join its Chicago office. The role targets high-net-worth clients in sophisticated estate planning, trust administration, wealth transfer, and tax planning matters.

The candidate should originate new business and leverage cross-selling opportunities within a national platform. The position offers a hybrid/remote schedule with three days in the office, and a path to Income or Equity Partner based on practice size and

Qualifications

• Licensed attorney with Illinois bar admission and strong background in trusts & estates planning for high-net-worth clients.
• Proven ability to originate new business and cross-sell across multiple practice areas.
• Excellent client service, leadership, and relationship-building within a Chicago market.

Responsibilities

• Originate and manage sophisticated trusts & estates matters for high-net-worth individuals and families.
• Lead client relationships and cross-sell with corporate, tax, real estate, and litigation practices.
• Collaborate across offices to leverage a national platform and portable book of business.

Skills

Business development

Leadership

Relationship-building

Client service

Education

J.D. from an accredited law school

Illinois bar admission (active)

Job description

A nationally recognized, full-service law firm with more than 30 offices across the United States and a well-established Midwest presence is seeking an experienced Trusts & Estates Partner to join its Chicago office. The firm represents high-net-worth individuals and families in sophisticated estate planning, trust administration, wealth transfer, and tax planning matters.

This is a strong opportunity for an entrepreneurial attorney to join a collaborative national platform, build on an existing practice in one of the country's largest private wealth markets, and tap into significant cross-selling opportunities across multiple practice areas.

About the Role

The firm is looking for a Trusts & Estates attorney with a track record of advising high-net-worth individuals and families on sophisticated estate planning, trust administration, wealth preservation, gift and estate tax planning, and business succession matters.

The ideal candidate brings an established practice, deep client relationships, and a proven ability to originate new business while providing top-tier client service — particularly within Chicago's deep base of business owners, executives, and multigenerational families.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school and active bar admission (or eligibility for admission) in Illinois
• Significant experience in sophisticated trusts and estates planning for high-net-worth individuals and families
• Demonstrated business development skills and an established professional network within the Chicago market
• Portable book of business required
• Excellent client service, leadership, and relationship-building abilities
• Ability to collaborate with attorneys across multiple offices and practice groups

Partnership Opportunities

The firm offers both Income Partner and Equity Partner opportunities based on the size and sustainability of a candidate's portable practice.

Equity Partner

• Candidates with a self-sustaining portable book of business of approximately $1 million or more will be considered for equity partnership upon joining
• Ideal candidates maintain billing rates of $600+ per hour or have the ability to support or increase billing rates within the firm's platform

Income Partner

• Candidates with an established but growing practice are encouraged to apply
• Compensation is based on several factors, including portable book of business, billing rate, expected annual billable hours, and overall experience and practice potential
• Attorneys with books below the equity threshold but strong long-term growth potential will be considered for the Income Partner track

Position Highlights

• Hybrid/remote schedule with 3 days per week in office
• Strong opportunities for cross-selling and collaboration with the firm's established corporate, tax, real estate, and litigation practices
• Flexible partnership structure with clear paths for growth
• Competitive compensation aligned with practice size and performance
• Robust marketing, business development, and administrative support