Wealth Planning Attorney

northwesternmutual; United States; On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Northwestern Mutual is seeking a Senior Director to lead a client-facing team delivering estate and business planning, thought leadership, planning education, and targeted consultation for high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients with complex planning needs.

The role requires expert estate and business planning acumen, executive presence, strong writing and organizational capabilities, and the ability to influence advisors and clients toward actionable planning decisions.

Qualifications

• JD from an accredited program; advanced degree/designations preferred (CFP/CPA/LL.M).
• 10+ years of estate and business planning experience, preferably with clients/advisors.
• Extensive experience with high-net-worth clients in estate and tax planning.
• Deep knowledge of tax optimization, wealth transfer, and business succession planning.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with attorneys, CPAs, and advisors to craft comprehensive plans for HNW/UHNW clients, focusing on estate planning and wealth transfer.
• Assess client objectives and priorities to develop targeted, practical recommendations.
• Lead advisor and client presentations with executive presence and credibility.
• Coordinate with outside advisors to align planning objectives and execution.
• Manage workflow and deliver analyses that meet service level expectations.

Skills

Consulting

Customer Centricity

Interpersonal Savvy

Learning Agility & Critical Thinking

Education

JD from an accredited program

CFP/CPA/LL.M. (preferred)

Tools

PowerPoint

Planning software

AI-enabled tools

Workflow tools

Job description

About the Job:

This client-facing role is part of a dynamic, growing team that designs and delivers comprehensive estate and business plans, thought leadership, planning education, and targeted consultation for high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients with complex planning needs. The Senior Director will provide sophisticated case consultation and strategic guidance, quickly pivot across a broad range of advanced planning topics, and evaluate legal documents and planning structures to deliver clear, practical insights. Leveraging deep estate and business planning expertise, discretion, and sound professional judgment, this attorney will help advisors and clients align planning strategies with client goals, evaluate options, and identify actionable next steps. The role requires exceptional estate and business planning acumen, executive presence, strong communication and influence skills, and superior writing and organizational capabilities.

What You'll Do :

• Active collaboration with other professionals on the team (attorneys, CFPs, CPAs) and top wealth management advisors to create comprehensive plans, deliver thought leadership, planning education, and targeted consultation for high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients, with emphasis on estate planning, wealth transfer, business succession, tax mitigation, and executive compensation strategies.
• Assess each client's financial circumstances, objectives, and planning priorities to identify opportunities, develop targeted strategies, frame practical recommendations, and support confident decision making.
• Evaluate and position planning solutions in a manner that reflects Northwestern Mutual's integrated approach to investments and life insurance.
• Lead advisor and client presentations with executive presence, credibility, and the ability to influence, educate, and enable informed planning decisions.
• Engage effectively with clients' outside legal and tax advisors to promote alignment, clarity, and coordinated execution of planning objectives.
• Quickly assess and respond to a broad range of advanced planning questions, exercising discretion and sound professional judgment to address nuanced client and advisor needs.
• Manage workflow and deliver high-quality analyses and consultation in accordance with established service level expectations.
• Build and leverage cross-functional relationships to address complex client circumstances in the high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth marketplace and support seamless delivery of planning guidance.

What You'll bring to the Role :

• JD from an accredited program. Additional advanced degree or designations preferred, such as CFP, CPA, or LL.M.
• Minimum of 10 years of estate and business planning experience, preferably in a consulting role with clients and/or financial advisors.
• Extensive experience working directly with high-net-worth clients in advanced estate and business planning, as well as tax planning.
• Deep knowledge and expertise in planning areas including tax optimization, estate and business succession, and wealth transfer strategies.
• FINRA Series 6 or 7 as well as state insurance license within the first 6 months of hire.
• Strong analytical capabilities, disciplined follow-through, sound prioritization, and demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with other professionals.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex planning concepts into clear, client-friendly, and actionable guidance.
• Proven ability to build trust and credibility with financial advisors while contributing as a collaborative, solutions-oriented member of the team.
• Demonstrated executive presence and ability to influence advisors, clients, and stakeholders through credibility, clarity, sound judgment, and practical planning recommendations.
• A desire to mentor others is a plus.
• Highly skilled in the Microsoft suite, specifically including PowerPoint, and experienced using planning software, workflow tools, research platforms, and AI-enabled tools to support analysis, education, and efficient delivery of planning guidance.

Skills You Have :

• Consulting - Connects with stakeholders to understand and gain specific information to help resolve customer problems in a given domain. Communicates effectively intent to customers, solicits customer requirements, utilizes domain knowledge and collaborates with the right stakeholders.
• Customer Centricity -Applies a customer first mindset to design and continuously improve solutions, systems, processes, and services that support enterprise strategy, impact critical business outcomes, and drive organizational success.
• Interpersonal Savvy - Relates well to all kinds of people inside and outside of the organization. Builds appropriate rapport, constructive and effective relationships. Uses diplomacy and tact and diffuses high-tension situations comfortably.
• Learning Agility & Critical Thinking - Pursues learning and obtains knowledge co