Private Client Services Associate Attorney (Mid-Level to Senior)

Direct Counsel is seeking a Private Client Services Associate to join a premier Private Client Services practice in Los Angeles. This is an exceptional opportunity for an attorney interested in sophisticated estate planning, wealth transfer planning, tax strategy, trust and estate administration, and advising high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families.

The ideal candidate will have 5–9 years of experience, a strong interest in private wealth planning, and a desire to develop long-term, multi-generational relationships with clients and their trusted advisors. Attorneys with a demonstrated interest in tax law through prior experience, coursework, or an LL.M. are strongly encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

Estate & Wealth Transfer Planning

• Advise high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families on:
  • Estate planning
  • Wealth preservation strategies
  • Gift and estate tax planning
  • Generation-skipping transfer tax planning
  • Succession planning
• Design and implement sophisticated domestic and international wealth transfer structures
• Draft and review estate planning documents, trusts, and related instruments

Tax Planning & Advisory

• Counsel clients on:
  • Federal gift and estate tax matters
  • Fiduciary income tax planning
  • California property tax planning
  • Residency planning
  • Domestic and international tax considerations
• Assist with pre- and post-liquidity event planning for business owners and entrepreneurs

Trust & Estate Administration

• Advise fiduciaries and beneficiaries regarding trust and estate administration matters
• Support probate and post-death trust administration
• Counsel clients on fiduciary obligations and compliance requirements

Specialized Private Client Matters

• Advise on:
  • Foreign trusts with U.S. assets or beneficiaries
  • International wealth planning structures
  • Charitable planning and philanthropy
  • Private foundation and nonprofit organization matters
• Assist with trust and estate disputes, fiduciary matters, and beneficiary-related issues

Client & Advisor Relationships

• Work directly with clients and their professional advisors
• Collaborate with attorneys across:
  • Corporate
  • Tax
  • Real Estate
  • Employment
  • Entertainment
  • Environmental
  • Other practice groups
• Participate in thought leadership, industry events, and professional development initiatives

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school
• Active California Bar membership
• 5–9 years of legal experience
• Strong interest in private client services, estate planning, and wealth transfer planning
• Excellent legal writing, analytical, and communication skills
• Ability to build and maintain trusted client relationships
• Strong organizational and project management abilities
• Interest in sophisticated tax and wealth planning matters

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience in:
  • Estate planning
  • Trusts and estates
  • Wealth transfer planning
  • Tax planning
  • Fiduciary administration
• LL.M. in Taxation (or current pursuit of an LL.M.)
• Coursework or experience involving estate, gift, and income tax planning

Work Arrangement

• Full-time, in-office position
• Remote and hybrid arrangements are not available for this role.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary range: $265,000 – $320,000
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Life, short-term disability, and long-term disability coverage
• Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options
• Generous paid time off and parental leave
• Employee assistance and wellness programs
• Professional development and business development support
• Formal mentoring and associate training programs

Why This Opportunity

• Work with high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families
• Gain exposure to sophisticated domestic and international tax and estate planning matters
• Build meaningful, long-term client relationships
• Collaborate across a full-service law firm platform
• Significant mentorship, professional development, and thought leadership opportunities
• Join a nationally respected Private Client Services practice with a strong reputation in the wealth planning community

Direct Counsel is committed to connecting exceptional legal talent with premier law firms and fostering inclusive hiring practices.