Estate Planning Associate Attorney

Overview

Founded in 1965, Messerli Kramer is a top-20 law firm in Minnesota, with offices in Minneapolis, St. Paul, St. Michael and Plymouth, Minnesota. We have a well- earned reputation within the business community of providing sound, reasoned and comprehensive legal advice. With an emphasis on building lasting relationships with our clients, our professionals take the time to listen and understand their legal issues within the larger framework of their business as a whole. Known for our dedication and responsiveness, our attorneys and staff are focused on finding pragmatic solutions and producing remarkable results for our clients.

Messerli Kramer serves individuals and businesses through three unique, yet complementary divisions. In Minneapolis, we represent a variety of clients across a series of practice groups: Banking and Finance, Business Litigation, Corporate and Estate Planning, Commercial Real Estate and Family Law. This Corporate Associate position will be housed in our renowned Corporate and M&A group.

Position Details

WE ARE GROWING! We are looking for an Associate to join our firm to help support our seasoned Estate Planning Attorneys. We are seeking an experienced and client-focused Estate Planning Attorney to join our growing legal team. The ideal candidate will advise individuals, families, and business owners on a wide range of estate planning matters, including wills, trusts, probate avoidance strategies, asset protection, business succession planning, and tax-efficient wealth transfer strategies. This position requires strong legal drafting skills, attention to detail, and the ability to build trusted relationships with clients. This is a hybrid position which will require work between our Minneapolis, MN and St. Michael, MN office locations.

Requirements

Essential Functions and Duties

• Meet with clients to assess estate planning needs and develop customized estate plans.
• Draft and review estate planning documents, including wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, powers of attorney, health care directives, and related documents.
• Advise clients on estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer tax considerations.
• Develop asset protection and wealth preservation strategies.
• Assist business owners with succession planning and ownership transition matters.
• Counsel fiduciaries, trustees, personal representatives, and beneficiaries regarding estate and trust administration.
• Collaborate with financial advisors, accountants, insurance professionals, and other advisors to implement client objectives.
• Conduct legal research and remain current on changes in estate planning, tax, trust, and probate laws.
• Maintain accurate case files and documentation in accordance with firm policies.
• Participate in business development, networking, community involvement, and client relationship-building activities.
• Manage probate and estate administration matters from initial intake meeting to final distribution of the estate.

Education and Licensure

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
• Licensed and in good standing to practice law in the applicable jurisdiction.

Experience

• 3+ years of experience practicing estate planning, trust and estate administration, or a related area of law preferred.
• Experience drafting sophisticated estate planning documents and advising high-net-worth individuals is a plus.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of estate planning, trust administration, probate, and tax planning principles.
• Excellent legal writing, drafting, and analytical skills.
• Strong interpersonal and client counseling abilities.
• Ability to explain complex legal concepts in a clear and practical manner.
• Exceptional organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with attorneys and staff.
• Proficiency with legal research tools and document management systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with advanced estate planning techniques, including irrevocable trusts, charitable planning, special needs trusts, and business succession planning.
• Existing referral relationships or demonstrated business development experience.
• LL.M. in Taxation or Estate Planning (preferred but not required).

Compensation and Bonus Information

Base compensation will vary based on level of experience. Associate  compensation range $95,000-$120,000. Associate Attorneys are also eligible for monthly source and annual discretionary bonus incentives based on performance.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance
• HSA & FSA Accounts
• Employer Contribution to HSA if enrolled in High-Deductible Health Insurance plan.
• 401K, with 4% company contribution (after completion of 1 year of service)
• Paid time off
• Paid company holidays
• Company Paid Basic Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Annual Marketing & Business Development budget
• Bar license and CLE reimbursements
• Cell phone reimbursement
• Gym reimbursement
• Hybrid Remote Schedule

To Apply

If you are a motivated and talented attorney who is looking for a new opportunity, please apply through Paylocity or submit resume to: View email address on us.fitly.work.

Messerli Kramer is fully committed to equality of opportunity in all aspects of employment. It is the policy of Messerli Kramer to provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, military status, veteran status, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, physical or mental disability or any other protected status.

We conduct criminal background checks on all individuals offered employment.

Applicants with a disability that are in need of an accommodation, please contact Human Resources at View phone number on us.fitly.work or email View email address on us.fitly.work.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

This job operates in a professional office environment. While performing the responsibilities of the position, these work environment characteristics are representative of the environment the person in this position will encounter. While performing the duties of this job, the employee will work in a professional, fast-paced office environment that may require additional hours to complete work.

The physical demands are representative of the physical requirements necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the position. If an employee is unable to perform the essential functions of the position, Messerli Kramer will evaluate whether a reasonable accommodation can be made to enable the employee to perform the described essential functions of the position. Due to the nature of this office position, while performing the responsibilities of the position, the employee is required to talk and hear. The employee is often required to sit and use their hands and fingers, to manage or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, reach with arms and hands, climb or balance, and to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Vision abilities required by the job include close vision.