Estate Planning Attorney

Job Description

Job Description

Position Summary

Twin Cities estate and business planning firm with a stellar reputation and over 18,000 clients is looking for an estate planning attorney with a minimum of 1 to 3 years of trust, will and estate law experience to work with clients in the metro area as well as outstate Minnesota and western and northern Wisconsin. The ideal candidate will pair strong technical judgement with an affinity to improving people's lives through effective estate planning consultations.

In these initial consultations, you will diagnose the client's situation, educate them on their options, recommend an appropriate estate plan, and convert qualified prospects into engaged clients.

You will conduct multiple initial consultations each week, guide clients through plan design and key decisions, and lead signing sessions. You will also supervise the document review and approval process to ensure accuracy, compliance, and a high-quality client experience from intake through execution.

You will not be doing this work alone. Our office is structured to support attorney productivity and client service. You will be working with and backed by a talented team of paralegals, administrative staff, and operations support who assist with drafting, scheduling, file movement, follow-up, document preparation, and client logistics - allowing you to stay focused on your work: legal analysis, strategy, client counseling, and relationship development.

At Chandler and Brown, estate & business planning is not merely document preparation, it is relationship stewardship and legacy guidance. The attorney in this role helps families, business owners, churches, and philanthropic clients align their legal planning with their values, goals, and generational vision so they can confidently move forward with a plan that is implemented correctly. In addition, we handle a large number of probate and trust administration cases, so an opportunity to practice in the area of trust and probate litigation also exists.

You are likely a strong fit if you:

• Lead with empathy and clarity: listen first, build trust quickly, and communicate complex planning concepts in a simple and reassuring way, and are motivated by helping clients achieve their goals.
• Are comfortable serving a wide range of clients and communities – both metro and rural - including churches and faith-based organizations, philanthropic families, and legacy-minded individuals.
• Are coachable and growth-oriented: welcome feedback, improve conversion and client experience over time, and contribute to a high-performance culture

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The essential functions include, but are not limited to, the following:

Client Engagement & Business Development

• Meet with clients remotely and in person to understand their goals for asset distribution, tax planning, and long-term care. Building rapport and maintaining strong client relationships are essential. This involves active listening, clear communication of complex legal concepts, and addressing client concerns with empathy.
• Business Development. Conduct business development in communities within and outside of metropolitan area by developing collaborative relationships with financial planners and community groups within the service area.
• Within the metro, participate in Chamber of Commerce or community programs when appropriate. Deliver presentations to groups as requested by clients.

Estate Planning Design, Review & Execution

• Understand the client's needs and objectives and provide legal analysis and strategic direction for the design and drafting of the client's estate or business plan.
• Thoroughly review and approve estate planning documents drafted by paralegal staff to ensure accuracy, legal compliance, and alignment with client objectives.
• Lead signing meetings to ensure documents are properly executed and clients understand their plans.

Team Leadership & Operational Alignment

• Work closely with paralegal and administrative staff who support drafting, workflow coordination, and client communication.
• Able and willing to facilitate process improvement when advantageous or necessary.
• Provide clear direction and oversight to ensure excellence, accuracy, and efficiency in all estate planning work products.
• Contribute to a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and clarity.
• Take ownership of measurable outcomes and actively participate in firm-wide alignment and goal setting.

Minimum Qualifications

Education & Licensure

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school required.
• Licensed to practice law in Minnesota and in good standing with the Minnesota State Bar, and committed to obtain licensure in Wisconsin.
• Additional state licensures are a plus.
• 3+ years of estate planning experience required.

Knowledge

• Strong command of estate planning laws, regulations, and best practices – with commitment to continuous education, and desire to keep up with industry trends.
• Knowledge of tax implications and financial considerations related to estate planning.
• Understanding of legacy planning strategies involving charitable and philanthropic components is preferred.
• Proficiency with technology, specifically estate planning and CRM tools.

Abilities

• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills with an emphasis on ethical client conversion.
• Ability to clearly and confidently explain complex legal concepts in both one-on-one and group settings.
• Strong legal judgment and precision with high attention to detail in document review.
• Ability to manage a steady volume of consultations and files while maintaining responsiveness and a high-quality client experience.
• Ability to manage multiple client engagements while maintaining a high standard of service.
• Comfort valuing and leveraging a collaborative team environment that includes paralegal, administrative, and operational support.
• Ability to follow firm workflows and operational processes.

Work Environment

• Primarily in-office role in a professional law firm environment. Work from home flexibility available as needed and as appropriate based on workload and scheduling needs.
• Willingness to travel to outstate areas when needed for 1 or 2 nights.
• Client interactions occur both in person and remotely.
• Collaborative work environment involving attorneys, paralegals, administrative staff, marketing, and client service teams.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

• Prolonged periods of sitting during consultations and meetings.
• Regular use of standard office equipment.
• Ability to communicate effectively in both verbal and written form.

The work environment at Chandler and Brown

We are a family friendly place of employment that offers competitive salary, paid professional development, paid time off, paid holidays, a retirement plan, a collegial team environment, and a robust benefits plan. We pride ourselves in running a business that values work/life balance and values all employees. If you believe this position is a great fit, please respond to this ad directly with a resume and cover letter.