Senior Associate/Senior Counsel

Job Description

Job Description

Direct Counsel has partnered with a growing and well-regarded California law firm seeking a Senior Associate / Senior Counsel to join its Trust & Estate Litigation practice. This role offers the flexibility of being fully remote or hybrid (2 days per week in-office).

This position will focus on complex trust, estate, and probate litigation , representing trustees, beneficiaries, and fiduciaries in high-stakes matters. Attorneys in this role serve as the primary handling attorney and main client point of contact , managing cases from inception through resolution. For candidates with strong civil or family litigation backgrounds but limited probate experience, the firm provides comprehensive onboarding and training .

This is an excellent opportunity to join an established practice with a collaborative culture, meaningful client work, and flexibility.

Key Responsibilities:

• Research legal issues for trust and estate litigation matters

• Draft pleadings, discovery, memoranda, motions and other legal documents

• Handle trust and estate litigation matter from inception through trial, including taking depositions, attending mediations and settlement negotiations

• Attend hearings on a regular basis in the probate courts

• Make independent decisions and advising clients on pre-litigation and litigation matters

• Handle conservatorship or guardianship matters from initiation of proceedings to representation of conservators or guardians for the duration of these matters

• Handle probate administrations from initiation of proceedings to discharge of personal representative

• Consult and advise trustees or beneficiaries on trust administration

• Other projects, as assigned

Qualifications

• Demonstrated interest in probate, trust and estate law

• Strong verbal and written communication skills

• Must possess attention to detail and strong organizational skills

• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team

• Ability to multitask and meet deadlines in a fast paced office environment

• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to manage cases and clients independently

Hiring Criteria:

• Licensed to practice law in California

• 5+ years of probate and trust litigation experience or

• 8–10+ years of civil or family litigation experience (probate experience not required)

Compensation & Benefits:

• Base salary: $160,000–$260,000 (DOE)

• Competitive bonus structure

• Comprehensive benefits package

Schedule & Location:

• Full-time

• Fully remote or hybrid (2 days/week in office)