Trusts & Estates/Tax Senior Associate or Partner

Willcox Savage; Norfolk (VA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 320,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and bonus potential

Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) plan

Paid time off and holidays

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

A leading law firm in Virginia is seeking an experienced Trusts & Estates/Tax Senior Associate or Partner. The role involves advising clients on estate planning strategies, drafting complex estate planning documents, and providing counsel on fiduciary duties. Candidates should have a J.D., active Virginia bar membership, and 5-10 years of relevant experience. Excellent client counseling skills and the ability to grow a book of business are essential. The firm offers competitive salary and benefits, including comprehensive health insurance and 401(k).

Qualifications

• At least 5 to 10 years of substantial experience in trusts and estates.
• Experience counseling tax-exempt entities is preferred.
• Strong technical command of transfer tax planning.
• Proven ability to originate and grow business (portable book preferred).
• Strong drafting skills and transfer tax planning/fiduciary income tax knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Advise clients on estate planning strategies.
• Draft and negotiate estate planning documents.
• Provide counsel on fiduciary duties and trust administration.
• Work collaboratively with corporate and real estate colleagues to deliver integrated planning solutions.
• Develop and grow a book of business; originate matters and deepen relationships with existing firm clients and referral sources (wealth advisors, CPAs, bankers, family businesses).
• Assist clients with tax planning and IRS and/or state tax controversies.
• Assist corporate attorneys with tax aspects of transactions and planning.
• Lead and mentor associates and paralegals; contribute to practice management and training.
• Stay current on federal and state tax law developments and proactively advise clients on planning opportunities and risk mitigation.

Skills

Substantial trusts and estates experience

Client counseling and communication skills

Drafting skills

Leadership and mentoring

Business development

Mentoring

Tax planning

Education

J.D. from an accredited law school

Active bar membership in Virginia

LL.M. in Taxation preferred

Job description

Willcox Savage is seeking an experienced Trusts & Estates/Tax Senior Associate or Partner to join our growing practice. The ideal candidate will bring deep technical knowledge, a client‑first mindset, and the ability to expand and help lead a sophisticated trusts and estates platform, including estate planning, estate and trust administration, tax planning, and related fiduciary litigation support.

Key Responsibilities

• Advise high‑net‑worth individuals, families, fiduciaries, and closely held business owners on estate planning strategies, including tax‑efficient wealth transfer, succession planning, and charitable planning.
• Draft and negotiate sophisticated estate planning documents (e.g., wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, directed trusts, SLATs/GRATs/QPRTs, ILITs, charitable vehicles) tailored to client objectives and evolving law.
• Provide counsel regarding fiduciary duties, trust administration, probate matters, and related disputes; partner with litigators as needed on contested estate/trust matters.
• Work collaboratively with corporate and real estate colleagues to deliver integrated planning solutions.
• Develop and grow a book of business; originate matters and deepen relationships with existing firm clients and referral sources (wealth advisors, CPAs, bankers, family businesses).
• Assist clients with tax planning and IRS and/or state tax controversies.
• Assist corporate attorneys with tax aspects of transactions and planning.
• Lead and mentor associates and paralegals; contribute to practice management and training.
• Stay current on federal and state tax law developments and proactively advise clients on planning opportunities and risk mitigation.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school and active bar membership in Virginia (or ability to waive in promptly).
• At least 5 to 10 years of substantial trusts and estates experience, including sophisticated estate planning and administration for high‑net‑worth clients.
• Experience counseling tax‑exempt entities.
• Demonstrated ability to originate and grow business (a portable book preferred).
• Strong drafting skills and technical command of transfer tax planning and fiduciary income tax considerations.
• Excellent client counseling, communication, and interpersonal skills; ability to translate complex concepts into practical guidance.
• Proven leadership skills and commitment to mentoring and developing junior attorneys.
• High level of professionalism, judgment, and discretion with confidential matters.

Preferred Qualifications

• LL.M. in Taxation and/or relevant professional designation(s) (e.g., CPA) a plus.
• Experience with closely held business planning, entity governance, and family wealth succession strategies.
• Experience advising fiduciaries and/or serving as outside general counsel to trust companies or financial institutions.
• Comfort with business development activities, speaking engagements, and publishing thought leadership.
• Experience in multistate planning and administration, including domicile planning and state estate/inheritance tax considerations.
• At least a partially portable book of business.
• Competitive salary and bonus potential.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) plan
• Paid time off and holidays.
• Professional development and continuing education opportunities.

Willcox Savage is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other legally protected status. If you need a reasonable accommodation to complete the application or interview process, please contact our firm at 757-628-5500 and ask for Human Resources.