Associate Estate Planning and Trust Administration Attorney

Position Overview

Secure Legacy Law Group, P.C. is a boutique estate planning law firm committed to delivering personalized, comprehensive planning solutions for our clients and their families. We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Associate Attorney to join our close-knit team. In this role, you will work closely with our senior attorneys, financial planners, and wealth management partners to support the development and implementation of estate plans and the administration of trusts. This is primarily an internal-facing position, ideal for an attorney who is eager to build deep substantive expertise in both estate planning and trust administration within a highly collaborative professional environment.

Essential Job Functions

Estate Planning:

• Work directly with senior attorneys, financial planners, and wealth management professionals to review, analyze, fund, and maintain estate plans
• Draft and revise estate planning documents, including wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, powers of attorney, and advance healthcare directives, under the supervision and guidance of senior attorneys
• Review and summarize existing estate planning documents, identifying recommended changes based on developments in the law and changes in client family circumstances
• Research estate, trust, gift, and income tax issues and prepare written memoranda and summaries for use by senior attorneys and advisory team members
• Serve as an internal resource on estate planning matters, supporting senior attorneys and the broader wealth management team
• Respond to general estate planning inquiries from internal team members and professional partners; limited direct client contact may occur as part of supervised team meetings

Trust Administration:

• Assist senior attorneys in administering revocable and irrevocable trusts following a triggering event, including trustee notifications, asset inventory, and coordination with financial institutions
• Prepare and review trust accountings, beneficiary notices, and distribution memoranda in compliance with California Probate Code requirements
• Coordinate with CPAs, financial advisors, and other professionals in connection with trust administration matters, including preparation of estate and fiduciary income tax returns
• Support post-death trust funding and asset transfer processes, including preparation of deeds, beneficiary designation updates, and related documentation
• Monitor trust administration timelines and deadlines to ensure compliance with applicable legal requirements

General:

• Stay current with developments in estate, trust, and tax law at the state and federal level
• Assist with file management and matter administration using Clio, the firm's document management system
• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Required:

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school
• Active license to practice law in California
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex estate planning concepts clearly to colleagues and professional partners
• Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a small firm environment
• Willingness to work on-site at our Orange County offices in Mission Viejo and support our other Orange County offices as needed.

Preferred:

• 0 to 3 years of legal experience in estate planning or related areas (trusts, tax, or elder law)
• Admission to practice in one or more additional states is a plus
• Familiarity with Clio or comparable practice management platforms

Compensation & Benefits

Secure Legacy Law Group, P.C. offers a competitive compensation package commensurate with experience. Our benefits include:

• Competitive compensation commensurate with experience
• Performance-based incentive compensation
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Paid time off and firm holidays
• Paid parental leave
• Continuing legal education (CLE) support and bar dues

Work Schedule & Environment

This is a full-time, in-office position. The role is based in Orange County, with time split between our Mission Viejo and Newport Beach offices. Standard business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Occasional early or late hours may be required to meet deadlines. Remote work is not available for this position.

How to Apply

Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their resume to jobs@securelegacy.com. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Secure Legacy Law Group, P.C. is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We are not accepting unsolicited resumes from recruiting agencies or search firms for this position.