Private Client Trusts & Estates Associate Attorney

Private Client Trusts & Estates Associate Attorney

Direct Counsel is seeking a Private Client Trusts & Estates Associate Attorney to join the nationally recognized private client practice of a sophisticated East Coast–based law firm in Boston.

This is an exceptional opportunity for an attorney with 4+ years of trusts and estates experience to join a premier private client platform handling sophisticated high-net-worth estate planning, trust and estate administration, wealth transfer strategy, and tax-efficient succession planning.

The role offers direct exposure to high-net-worth families, fiduciaries, retirement asset planning, charitable strategies, and multigenerational wealth transfer matters.

Location

Boston, Massachusetts

Position Overview

The ideal candidate will have at least 4 years of sophisticated trusts and estates experience, including meaningful work in high-net-worth estate planning and trust and estate administration.

This role is ideal for an attorney experienced in:

• Advanced estate planning
• Estate and trust administration
• Wealth transfer tax strategy
• Lifetime gifting programs
• Succession planning
• Charitable planning
• Retirement asset planning
• Family governance and legacy structures

The firm offers a hybrid schedule with two remote days per week.

Key Responsibilities

• Advise high-net-worth individuals and families on sophisticated estate planning strategies
• Draft and implement:
  • Revocable and irrevocable trusts
  • Wills
  • Gift and generation-skipping transfer structures
  • Family entity and succession vehicles
• Handle estate and trust administration matters
• Counsel clients on:
  • Estate tax
  • Gift tax
  • Income tax
  • Fiduciary tax issues
• Develop tax-efficient family wealth transfer strategies
• Support charitable giving and philanthropic planning
• Advise on retirement asset estate planning
• Coordinate with fiduciaries, family offices, tax professionals, and multidisciplinary teams

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school
• Minimum 4 years of trusts and estates experience
• Strong experience with:
  • High-net-worth estate planning
  • Trust and estate administration
  • State and federal transfer tax laws
  • Succession planning
  • Lifetime giving strategies
• Excellent drafting, technical, and client counseling skills
• Strong written and verbal communication abilities
• Team-oriented and highly collaborative
• Massachusetts Bar admission required, or willingness to become admitted
• Rhode Island admission is a plus

Compensation

Base salary range: $200,000 – $245,000

Compensation will vary based on experience, credentials, and overall fit.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal attorney will be:

• Sophisticated in high-net-worth estate and tax planning
• Comfortable working directly with wealthy families and fiduciaries
• A polished drafter and trusted client counselor
• Interested in both planning and administration work
• Collaborative, responsive, and relationship-driven
• Looking for long-term growth within a premier private client practice

Why This Opportunity

This is an outstanding opportunity to join a top-tier trusts and estates platform known for sophisticated private client work and long-standing market recognition. The mix of estate planning, administration, tax strategy, and family wealth transfer work makes this especially attractive for attorneys looking to build a premier Boston-based private client practice.