Trust & Estate Planning Associate - Madison

Trust & Estate Planning Associate - Madison

Join a top-ranked AmLaw 50 firm in Madison, WI, as a Trust & Estate Planning Associate Attorney. This role offers a unique opportunity to take your career to the next level by working alongside some of the most respected professionals in the field. You will focus on complex estate planning, trust administration, and wealth preservation for high-net-worth clients, offering tailored strategies that meet their sophisticated needs. The position promises not only a competitive salary and benefits package but also long-term professional growth and the chance to build strong client relationships within a supportive and collaborative work environment.

Salary: DOE per year

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide expert advice on sophisticated estate planning and wealth preservation strategies.
• Draft wills, various trusts, business succession plans, and charitable giving instruments.
• Offer counsel on estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer tax issues.
• Handle estate and trust administration, including managing both taxable and non-taxable estates through probate proceedings and tax compliance.
• Collaborate closely with a team of seasoned attorneys to develop innovative estate planning solutions tailored for each client.
• Assist clients in establishing charitable giving structures and planning for tax-exempt organizations.
• Continuously update and maintain client documents and legal files to ensure accuracy and legal compliance.

Minimum Position Qualifications:

• JD from an ABA-approved law school with a strong academic record.
• Active Bar Admission in Wisconsin, or capability to gain admission promptly.
• 1–4 years of substantial experience in estate planning, trust and estate administration, and tax planning.
• Knowledge in drafting complex estate planning and business succession documents.
• Familiarity with gift, estate, and generation-skipping tax planning strategies.
• Experience in managing probate proceedings and preparing federal gift and estate tax returns.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proven track record with high-net-worth individuals and businesses in estate planning.
• Detailed understanding and experience in tax-exempt organization planning.
• Strong capabilities in legal research related to trust and estate planning.

Skills:

• Exceptional legal writing and analytical skills.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills, capable of handling high-level client interactions.
• Strong work ethic and attention to detail.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment as well as independently.
• Strong organizational skills, with the capability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.

Benefits:

• Competitive compensation packages, commensurate with experience.
• Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) retirement plans with firm contributions.
• Paid time off and additional perks such as professional development opportunities.
• A supportive and collaborative work environment that fosters professional growth.