Associate Attorney - Estate Planning & Asset Protection

Annual Compensation: $110,000–$150,000 base salary, based on experience, with bonus opportunities About Us We are a client-centered, planning-focused law firm serving families throughout the Austin–San Antonio corridor, with additional clients in the Houston and Dallas–Fort Worth areas. Our firm helps clients protect their assets, prepare for the future, and leave meaningful legacies. Approximately 85% of our practice consists of estate planning, trust administration, and related planning matters. The remainder includes business planning, uncontested probate, and a limited number of guardianship matters. We focus on the preventive side of the law and do not engage in litigation. Our goal is to provide every client with thoughtful legal guidance, clear communication, and an exceptional client experience. Position Overview We are seeking an experienced Estate Planning and Probate Associate Attorney to join our firm in a full-time, in-house role. The ideal candidate will have at least three years of experience in estate planning, including the design and implementation of revocable living trust-based plans. This attorney will manage client matters from the initial consultation through signing and completion. The role also includes trust administration, uncontested probate, and occasional business-planning matters. Experience with tax planning, asset protection, or other advanced planning strategies is helpful but not required; we value candidates who have a strong estate-planning foundation and are interested in expanding their knowledge in these areas. This is a high-impact position with significant client interaction and an opportunity to help shape the firm’s continued growth and development. Key Responsibilities Conduct client consultations to understand each client’s goals, assets, family circumstances, and planning concerns. Design comprehensive estate plans tailored to clients’ individual needs. Draft and review revocable living trusts, wills, powers of attorney, advance healthcare directives, and related planning documents. Explain legal concepts and planning recommendations in a clear, practical, and compassionate manner. Guide clients through the planning process from the initial consultation through document execution and completion. Coordinate with financial advisors, CPAs, insurance professionals, and other advisors when appropriate. Assist with business-succession, asset-protection, and tax-sensitive planning matters based on the attorney’s experience and with support from the firm. Remain informed about developments in estate planning, probate, trust, tax, and elder law. Trust Administration Advise successor trustees regarding their responsibilities and the terms of the trust. Guide trustees through the principal legal and administrative steps following a settlor’s death. Assist with required notices, asset administration, accountings, and distributions. Coordinate with CPAs, financial advisors, and other professionals as needed. Probate and Guardianship Manage uncontested probate matters from filing through completion. Prepare and review pleadings, notices, inventories, applications, proposed orders, and other required documents. Advise executors, administrators, heirs, and beneficiaries regarding the probate process. Handle or assist with a limited number of uncontested guardianship matters, as needed. Coordinate probate and guardianship matters with courts, court staff, appraisers, accountants, and other professionals. Business and Related Planning Assist clients with entity formations, governance documents, contracts, and other business-planning matters. Support business owners with succession planning and the coordination of business interests with their estate plans. Assist with occasional trademark or other intellectual-property matters based on the attorney’s experience and the needs of the firm. Client Service and Relationship Management Build strong client relationships through responsive, compassionate, and professional communication. Take ownership of client matters and help ensure deadlines and expectations are consistently met. Work with the firm’s client-services team to provide a seamless and exceptional client experience. Participate occasionally in educational webinars, seminars, or community presentations. Support appropriate client-education and firm-growth initiatives. Teamwork and Firm Development Collaborate with attorneys, paralegals, support staff, and operations personnel. Provide guidance or mentorship to junior attorneys and other legal team members, as appropriate. Contribute to the improvement of internal processes, document systems, and service-delivery standards. Participate in discussions concerning the firm’s growth and strategic direction. Qualifications Required Juris Doctor from an accredited law school. Active license to practice law in Texas and good standing with the State Bar of Texas. At least three years of direct estate-planning experience, including meaningful experience with revocable living trust-based planning. Strong legal drafting, analytical, and interpersonal communication skills. Ability to independently manage client matters and competing priorities. Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills. A client-first approach and a collaborative, team-oriented attitude. Preferred but Not Required Experience with trust administration or uncontested probate. Familiarity with business planning or business-succession matters. Exposure to estate and gift tax planning, asset-protection planning, or other advanced estate-planning strategies. An interest in developing greater proficiency in tax, asset-protection, and advanced planning matters. What We Offer $110,000–$150,000 base salary, based on experience, with bonus opportunities. Competitive benefits, including generous paid time off. A practice focused on planning, protection, and client service—not litigation. A collaborative and respectful team environment. Meaningful, direct client interaction. Opportunities for professional development and growth in advanced planning areas. The ability to contribute to the firm’s processes, culture, and strategic direction. #J-18808-Ljbffr SWBC Professional Employer Services