What are the responsibilities and job description for the Associate Attorney - Estate Planning, Probate, Real Estate & Small Business position at Skeeters, Bennett, Wilson & Humphrey?
The Role
We are hiring an associate attorney to handle estate planning, probate, real estate, and small business matters at a well-established firm in Radcliff, Kentucky, serving Elizabethtown, Hardin County, and the surrounding Central Kentucky counties.
This is not a head-down research position. You will meet with clients, counsel them directly, and take real ownership of your files. You will also support the firm’s litigation attorneys with research, drafting, and some court appearances. This is not a back office role: you will be in front of clients, handle your own files from start to finish, and be in the courtroom. We move good attorneys into client facing roles quickly, with the guidance and support to do it well.
Our clients come to us at meaningful moments: planning for their families, settling an estate after a loss, buying property, or starting a business. They need an attorney who listens, explains things in plain language, and follows through.
What You Will Do
- Counsel clients on wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and estate plans.
- Guide families through probate and estate administration, from opening the estate to final distribution.
- Handle residential and commercial real estate matters, including purchases, sales, deeds, and closings.
- Advise small business clients on entity formation, contracts, and day-to-day legal questions.
- Serve as your clients' point of contact, meeting with them regularly in person and by phone.
- Support the firm’s litigation attorneys with legal research, motions, discovery, and court appearances.
- Draft clear, accurate documents and manage your own caseload and deadlines.
Who You Are
- Genuinely interested in helping people. Clients should leave your office feeling heard and better off.
- Energetic and bright. You pick things up quickly and think well on your feet.
- Comfortable with clients. This role requires frequent, direct client contact every week.
- A strong writer who can explain a complex legal issue in plain language, in a document or across the table from a client.
- Comfortable in a courtroom, or ready to get there quickly.
- Organized and reliable. You keep track of your deadlines and follow through on what you promise.
- Licensed to practice in Kentucky, or eligible for admission and prepared to become licensed promptly.
Experience in estate planning, probate, real estate, small business work, or litigation is preferred. We will consider an exceptional new graduate whose legal ability and people skills clearly stand out.
This Role May Not Be the Right Fit If
- You prefer to work behind a computer with little client interaction.
- You never want to appear in court.
- You want to wait years before carrying real responsibility.
- You are looking for a stepping stone rather than a long-term home.
- Careful, detailed document work frustrates you.
About Our Firm
For over 50 years, Skeeters, Bennett, Wilson & Humphrey has delivered outstanding results for clients across Central Kentucky. We are a full-service law firm rooted in Radcliff and serving Elizabethtown, Hardin County, and the surrounding region. Many of our people have been with us for decades. We give our attorneys real responsibility, support them with experienced paralegals and staff, and hold each other to a high standard. If you want a career where your work matters and your clients know your name, we would like to hear from you.
Compensation and Benefits
Competitive salary commensurate with experience, paid time off, and a 401(k) with firm match.
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Paid time off
Application Question(s):
- 1. Are you licensed to practice law in Kentucky, or will you be eligible for admission to the Kentucky bar within the next three months?
- 2. This position is based in our Radcliff office and requires meeting with clients in person on a weekly basis. Are you able and willing to work on site?
- 3. How many years of experience do you have in estate planning, probate, real estate, small business, or civil litigation?
- 4. What draws you to this role, and to a firm of our size?
Work Location: In person