Senior Tax Attorney of Research

SENIOR TAX ATTORNEY
Individual Tax Planning and Advisory
Talley Law Group | Orange, CA | Hybrid
Full-Time | $180,000 to $200,000 Base + Bonus Eligible
About the Firm
Talley Law Group (TLG) and its affiliated entity Talley LLP (Talley) deliver integrated tax, legal, accounting and consulting services to entrepreneurially driven businesses and high-net-worth individuals. Our professionals act as each client's most trusted advisor by providing strategic and technically sophisticated solutions across complex financial, tax, and legal matters, along with the legal documentation necessary to substantiate them.

Position Summary
Talley Law Group is seeking a Senior Tax Attorney to lead and grow our individual tax practice. This is a client-facing, advisory-driven role for an attorney who thrives on building relationships, solving complex individual tax challenges, and bringing in new clients within the high-net-worth space. Client advisory and practice growth are the primary focus, supported by meaningful tax research across individual and related matters.

The ideal candidate combines deep technical skill with the energy and credibility to help build something. You will manage a client portfolio from day one, serve as a go-to resource for colleagues, and play an active role in expanding the practice.
What You Will Do

• Advise high-net-worth individuals and families on sophisticated income tax planning, compensation structuring, and wealth preservation strategies.
• Serve as the lead attorney on individual client relationships, delivering proactive, year-round service.
• Build your book of business by developing referral relationships, attending industry events, and engaging prospective clients.
• Conduct substantive tax research to support your own client matters and colleagues across the firm.
• Prepare technical memoranda and planning recommendations grounded in current statutory, regulatory, and administrative guidance.
• Collaborate across practice areas on matters involving individual, partnership, and trust and estate issues.
• Monitor federal and California tax legislative developments and communicate relevant changes to clients and colleagues.
• Support tax controversy matters for individual clients, including audit responses and IRS notice resolution.
• International individual tax experience is a plus but is not required.
• Estate planning experience is a plus but is not required.

Essential Functions
Individual Tax Advisory

• Advise clients on income tax planning, investment structures, compensation arrangements, and entity strategies for high-net-worth individuals.
• Serve as the lead attorney for assigned client relationships, ensuring proactive, value-added service throughout the year.
• Identify planning opportunities through return review and ongoing client dialogue.
• Collaborate with CPAs and other advisors to deliver coordinated, comprehensive client solutions.
• Lead and participate in client meetings with confidence and technical authority.

Client Growth and Relationship Development

• Identify and pursue new individual tax clients through networking, referrals, and community involvement.
• Build and maintain relationships with CPAs, financial advisors, family offices, and other referral sources across Southern California.
• Represent Talley Law Group at professional events, seminars, and industry functions.
• Contribute to proposals and new client onboarding within the individual tax practice.
• Set and track personal client growth goals as part of your Balanced Scorecard (BSC).

Tax Research

• Conduct well-reasoned tax research on individual, partnership, and cross-border matters in support of client work and internal teams.
• Prepare clear, authoritative technical memoranda summarizing research findings and planning recommendations.
• Work with AI-assisted research platforms (e.g., Bloomberg, Checkpoint, Blue J), applying sound professional judgment to evaluate results.
• Stay ahead of emerging issues and legislative changes affecting individual taxpayers.

Collaboration and Firm Support

• Serve as a go-to resource for colleagues on individual tax questions, particularly for high-net-worth client matters.
• Partner with estate planning, business tax, and compliance teams on integrated client engagements.
• Contribute to internal training sessions, knowledge-sharing, and firm improvement initiatives.

Mentorship and Professional Development

• Develop and maintain a personalized Balanced Scorecard (BSC) that outlines your strategic steps toward personal and professional growth in alignment with firm goals.
• Provide guidance and on-the-job training to junior attorneys and support staff.
• Participate actively in firm initiatives and team activities.
• Maintain required CPE and CLE.

What Success Looks Like
We want this person to hit the ground running and grow with the firm. Here is a general sense of what we hope to see:

First 45 Days: Get oriented. Learn our systems, meet your colleagues, and develop a clear picture of your client portfolio and BSC goals.
First 90 Days: Begin leading client conversations, manage assigned matters with growing independence, and identify your first relationship-building opportunities.
First 6 Months: Complete onboarding, manage matters on budget, show early progress on client growth activities, and demonstrate active progress on your BSC.
First Year: Own your client relationships, contribute to new client opportunities, and establish yourself as a trusted resource both internally and in the market. Implement your first-year BSC and build out your second-year plan.
What We Are Looking For

• 5 to 7 years of experience in individual tax planning at a law firm, CPA firm, or integrated advisory practice.
• Strong command of high-net-worth individual income tax planning, including compensation, investment, and entity considerations.
• Solid tax research skills and the ability to produce clear, well-reasoned written analysis.
• Comfort with AI-assisted legal and tax research tools.
• A track record of, or genuine interest in, developing client relationships and growing a practice.
• An entrepreneurial mindset and the drive to build, not just maintain.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex tax issues to non-attorney clients.
• JD required; LLM in Taxation preferred. Active California Bar membership required.
• International individual tax experience is a plus but is not required.
• Estate planning experience is a plus but is not required.

Compensation and Schedule
Base salary of $180,000 to $200,000 depending on experience, plus bonus eligibility. This is a hybrid role with one required in-office day per week (Wednesdays). Minimal travel expected. Talley Law Group is an equal opportunity employer.