Estate Planning Associate Attorney

Make 2026 the Year You Actually Enjoy Practicing Law Again.

If you’re an experienced attorney who is burned out on litigation, tired of chasing clients, and craving meaningful work in a stable, respectful firm, this may be the role that finally feels right.

At Ocean Estate Law, we practice law the way it should be practiced with clarity, compassion, structure, and purpose.

• Clients are grateful.
• Our systems are proven.
• Our team is supportive.
• And your work makes a real, visible difference every day.
• No rainmaking.
• No courtrooms.
• No chaos.

Just excellent lawyering in an environment that respects your time, intelligence, and humanity.

This Role Is Ideal For You If You:

• Have 5 years of estate planning and/or trust administration experience
• Want to focus on high-quality legal work—not marketing, sales, or litigation
• Communicate with warmth, confidence, and emotional intelligence
• Appreciate structure, systems, and clear expectations
• Want to be proud of the firm you represent and the impact you make

You’ll step into a mature, well-run practice where your experience is respected and your contributions are valued.

Responsibilities

• Guide clients with clarity and empathy through the estate planning process, helping them protect what matters most.
• Draft and customize trusts, wills, and asset-protection strategies tailored to each client’s unique needs.
• Manage probate and trust administration from start to finish, ensuring a smooth, professional experience.
• Collaborate with, support, and mentor team members, contributing to a culture of growth and excellence.
• Build and strengthen client and professional relationships, earning trust and confidence along the way.
• Train and develop junior legal staff, sharing your expertise and fostering a learning environment.
• Track time accurately and meet reasonable performance goals, balancing quality and efficiency.
• Leverage modern tools like Microsoft Office, MyCase (or similar CRM), and WealthCounsel (or similar drafting software) to streamline work.

You’ll Thrive Here If…

• You embrace systems and processes that make your work smoother, not more complicated.
• You’re driven by both quality and efficiency, delivering excellent work without unnecessary friction.
• You enjoy collaborating with a talented, high-performing team and contributing to firmwide success.
• You want your work to feel purposeful and impactful, making a real difference in clients’ lives.
• You’re seeking a long-term role with room to grow, develop, and take on increasing responsibility.

Qualifications

• You’re a licensed California attorney in good standing with a J.D. and the professionalism to match.
• You bring at least 3 years of solid experience in estate planning, trust administration, and probate—and you’re ready to deepen your expertise.
• Your drafting skills are exceptional, and your attention to detail is the kind clients can trust.
• You communicate with confidence, clarity, and compassion, making clients feel supported and informed.
• You thrive in an organized, system-driven environment, and you take pride in delivering consistent, high-quality work.
• You’re motivated by meaningful impact, not just billable hours—supporting families through major life decisions resonates with you.
• If you’re passionate about guiding families, protecting legacies, and doing work that truly matters, you’ll feel right at home here.

This Role May Not Be a Fit If…

• You want a fully remote position — this is a full-time, in-office role (Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 5 pm in both our Laguna Hills and San Clemente offices).
• Client interaction makes you uncomfortable—you’ll be engaging with clients regularly.
• You struggle with deadlines, follow-through, or time tracking—consistency matters here.
• You dislike structure or prefer to “figure it out as you go”—we rely on systems to serve clients well.
• Technology isn’t your thing—we’re a modern, streamlined practice that uses tech to enhance efficiency.

NO PHONE CALLS OR EMAILS REGARDING THIS POSTING. NO RECRUITERS OR HEADHUNTERS.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $125,000.00 - $200,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Application Question(s):

• Are you able and willing to work in-person, in-office Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 5:00pm?
• Are you willing to work out of both our Laguna Hills and San Clemente offices, wherever coverage is needed?

Experience:

• Trust Administration: 3 years (Preferred)
• Estate Planning: 3 years (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $125,000 - $200,000