Probate & Estate Planning Associate Attorney

Ambitious Probate and Estate Planning Associate Attorney 

• Are YOU a few years into your career and yearning to create your dream job in a family-oriented environment where your skills can be honed to propel you to the top of your profession? 
• Are YOU eager to practice at a firm that promotes innovation and leverages the latest technology to serve its clients and position its attorneys solidly for the future? 
• Are YOU a reliable and trustworthy professional seeking a position with loads of growth potential? 

If this sounds like you, we have the perfect opportunity for you! We are Legacy Counsel PLC, a fast-growing boutique law firm specializing in trusts and estates. Our values are integrity, excellence, and innovation. We help families pass along their hard-earned assets to empower the next generation to do more good in the world while enjoying the fruits of financial freedom—less stress, better health, and greater happiness. Our philosophy is that we take our work seriously but give each other grace as we strive, together, for excellence in serving our community.  

We are looking for an associate attorney with 3-5 years experience (preferably 5 years) in estate planning and administration. Experience in elder law is a plus but is not required. This is a full-time position in our Saint Joseph, Michigan office. Benefits include workers' compensation, paid holidays, and paid time off. Competitive salary based on experience.  

$65,000 - $85,000 base salary + bonuses

• Communicate with clients about plans for dispersing their assets
• Draft and file wills, trusts, and powers of attorney
• Confer with senior partners and paralegals to effectively move through the civil litigation process
• Advise clients regarding retirement plans, charitable giving, and insurance options

• Perform initial consults and engage clients 
• Help solve legal problems for clients through analyzing the situation, understanding their needs, and creating a strategic plan of action 
• Meet with clients to review and sign estate planning documents 
• Supervise paralegal and legal assistant team and take a lead role in probate and trust administration 
• Attend court proceedings as needed to represent clients 
• Help educate the community in matters concerning trust and estate law 
• Utilize, improve, and innovate business systems to ensure all clients have a "Wow!" experience 

• Working knowledge of title insurance, wills, trusts, property management, and residential and commercial real estate law, including litigation
• Excellent communication skills, especially in highly stressful and emotional situations
• 4-year degree with a legal background and J.D. degree are necessary for this position
• Experience at a legal firm working on estate planning and probate law issues for at least 1-2 years is required
• Active membership with the ABA (American Bar Association)

• J.D. from a U.S.-accredited law school 
• Minimum 3-5 years experience in estate planning and/or probate 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite, Adobe Pro, and strong typing skills 
• Proficiency in using computer software and the ability and willingness to learn new programs quickly 
• Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills 
• Excellent oral and written communication skills 
• Strong interpersonal skills, including reliability, initiative, kindness, teamwork, and empathy 
• Positive attitude—a MUST 

Legacy Counsel PLC is a modern trust and estates law firm in Michigan. We help clients change their family tree by passing down their hard-earned money protected from unnecessary taxes, creditors, and predators so that the next generation can enjoy the fruits of financial freedom—less stress, better health, and greater happiness. We also take on the burden of probate and trust administration after someone has died so that their loved ones can move forward to find peace and happiness without unnecessary stress and hassle. We do all this while leveraging cutting-edge technology and business practices.