Attorney

Our client, Johnson Legal, a full-service estate planning and business law firm in Wilmington, North Carolina, is seeking an experienced Estate Planning & Probate Associate Attorney to join its growing practice. The ideal candidate will bring 2 to 4 years of relevant estate planning experience and be capable of independently handling the core responsibilities of an estate planning attorney, including client meetings, drafting wills and trusts, preparing powers of attorney and related documents, and guiding clients through the planning process. The position will also have exposure to probate and estate administration matters. The firm has built a strong reputation in the Wilmington market through a client-first, plain-English approach to estate planning and business law. The firm has earned more than 665 five-star Google reviews , over 14 times the industry average of roughly 45 reviews per firm, and was named the 2026 Best Estate Planning Firm in North Carolina in the Best of North Carolina program by Guide to North Carolina. What distinguishes the firm is how it treats the people who work there. The practice has a strong flow of work, and evening or weekend work sometimes happens, but it's driven by real deadlines rather than expectation . They also try to keep Fridays light on meetings, so the team has time to finish work and catch up. The firm invests directly in professional development: every team member goes through the Dale Carnegie program , the firm holds an annual team retreat , and it maintains direct relationships with WealthCounsel's senior consultants , giving the attorney a resource comparable to having a senior partner down the hall. For an attorney interested in expanding into elder law and advanced planning, the firm will sponsor that development , including the WealthCounsel elder law boot camp. The firm is also adding in-house CPA capability to support tax-adjacent planning questions. Absolute Minimum Must-Have’s / Experience / Requirements: Active North Carolina Bar license in good standing Juris Doctor from an accredited law school 2 to 4 years of practice in estate planning, probate, or trusts and estates Demonstrated ability to independently draft wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives Nice-to-Haves: Experience with WealthCounsel or comparable estate planning drafting software Practice experience in New Hanover, Pender, and/or Brunswick Counties Exposure to probate and estate administration , including deed preparation and filing Interest or experience in elder law and Medicaid planning Experience practicing in a small firm environment Preferred Skills and Attributes: Confidence and presence in direct client meetings , including the ability to explain complex planning concepts in plain English Strong written and verbal communication Precision and a high standard for accuracy Effective as part of a small, highly collaborative in-office team Disciplined matter and caseload management Interest in building toward more advanced planning work over time Responsive, client-centered service orientation Key Responsibilities: Core: Manage estate planning matters from initial client consultation through execution of final documents Draft accurate, comprehensive wills, trusts, powers of attorney , healthcare documents, and other estate planning instruments Meet directly with clients to understand family circumstances, assets, objectives, and concerns and translate those needs into appropriate estate plans Provide clear, practical legal guidance using the firm’s client-friendly, plain-English approach Maintain a high standard of accuracy , responsiveness, professionalism, and client service Primary: Counsel clients regarding estate planning strategies and available planning options Prepare, review, revise, and finalize estate planning documents Coordinate and conduct document-signing and execution meetings Handle deed preparation, filing, and related real property matters associated with estate plans Assist with probate and estate administration matters as appropriate Consult directly with the Founding Attorney on client matters requiring additional guidance or more sophisticated planning. Work closely with the probate team on estate administration matters Maintain organized client files, deadlines, and matter documentation Communicate proactively with clients throughout the planning and administration process Secondary: Support the continued growth of the firm’s estate planning practice across New Hanover, Pender, and Brunswick Counties Support probate matters throughout the firm’s broader multi-county service area Develop knowledge of more sophisticated planning techniques as appropriate For candidates with interest and aptitude, build capabilities in elder law and irrevocable trust planning Participate in firmwide professional and leadership development initiatives Contribute to the firm's collaborative culture and commitment to continuous improvement As the firm grows, support expansion into additional geographic markets and potentially additional office locations Working Relationships: Founding Attorney ; Probate Manager and probate team; professional and administrative staff; clients and their families; county clerks and court personnel; outside financial, tax, and other professional advisors as appropriate. Key Desired Business Outcomes Desired Business Outcomes / Key Accomplishments How success will be measured within the first 180 days Develop a strong understanding of the firm’s planning process, drafting standards, client service expectations, and internal workflows Establish productive working relationships with the team Demonstrate the ability to independently conduct estate planning client meetings with confidence and professionalism Produce accurate, high-quality estate planning documents consistent with firm standards Establish credibility with clients through strong communication, responsiveness, judgment, and interpersonal skills Become proficient with the firm’s estate planning technology and systems, including WealthCounsel where applicable Effectively manage an appropriate caseload while maintaining accuracy and timely client communication Develop familiarity with the firm’s probate processes and the counties in which the firm regularly handles estate matters Demonstrate strong alignment with the firm’s collaborative, positive, and client-centered culture Desired Business Outcomes / Key Accomplishments How success will be measured within the first 365 days Independently manage a consistent estate planning caseload from consultation through document execution Become a trusted resource to clients and colleagues for core estate planning matters Consistently deliver accurate, thorough legal work with strong client satisfaction Contribute meaningfully to the continued growth and reputation of the firm’s planning practice Work effectively across the estate planning and probate functions to provide clients with a seamless experience Demonstrate increased sophistication in estate planning strategy and issue spotting Where aligned with the attorney’s interests and capabilities, begin developing expertise in elder law or other advanced planning strategies Demonstrate the performance, judgment, client skills, and technical competence necessary for continued advancement within the firm #J-18808-Ljbffr