Trusts and Estates Attorney

The Trusts & Estates Attorney must have at least three (3) years of recent experience designing plans for high-net-worth clients, including designing and drafting irrevocable trusts such as Crummey trusts, intentionally defective grantor trusts, irrevocable life insurance trusts, charitable split-interest trusts, and grantor retained annuity trusts, as well as experience in complex trust administration. The Trusts & Estates Attorney position requires superior analytical, communication, drafting, writing, and research skills, with the ability to work both independently and as a team member. This is a very fast paced environment, and the Trusts & Estates Attorney must be able to multitask and manage a voluminous caseload. This role requires a self-starter who is willing and open to learning new skills as well as taking initiative and being proactive.

JKZ tentatively plans to open a small office in San Diego around September, 2024. Until then, this position will be remote. Once the office is open, the position will be hybrid or fully in office. Travel will be required to San Francisco for onboarding training and certain other required meetings.

Direct Reports: N/A

Essential Duties and Responsibilities, Including but Not Limited To:

• Meet or exceed minimum billable hours requirement
• Design plans for high-net-worth clients
• Design and draft irrevocable trusts such as Crummey trusts, intentionally defective grantor trusts, irrevocable life insurance trusts, charitable split-interest trusts, and grantor retained annuity trusts
• Plan for blended families, generation-skipping transfer tax planning, international estate planning and cross-border issues, fiduciary income tax issues, and preparation of estate tax returns and gift tax returns.
• Manage complex trust administrations
• Perform initial client intake calls and shepherd the CRMs through engagement
• Perform legal research
• Manage and organize client files as well as keep client database and document management system up to date. ****

Requirements:

Education and Experience

• Juris Doctorate
• Active member of California State Bar
• Expertise in Federal tax law and California state tax law required
• LL.M. in Tax preferred
• Prior experience taking the lead role in client meetings
• Prior experience managing client communications and expectations ****

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Proficient in MS Office Suite with an emphasis on Word, Excel and Outlook
• Solid command of English including excellent spelling, grammar, punctuation, form and style.
• Organized and detail oriented
• Ability to manage a team, set goals and mentor others
• Ability to communicate clearly and work well with a team and individually

Benefits of working at JKZ LLP

In addition to a competitive compensation and bonus programs, JKZ also offers:

• Option for fully employer paid medical insurance
• Dental, Vision, additional life, AD&D and other employee paid insurances
• Fully paid Long Term Disability and Life Insurance
• Paid State Bar and BASF dues
• Paid Continuing Education
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Volunteer Time Off
• 11 Paid Holidays
• 401(k) Plan

JKZ LLP provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.