staff attorney – Estate Planning

Job Description

Trusts & Estates Staff Attorney | Warner Norcross + Judd

The Tone:
This is a staff attorney role at Warner Norcross + Judd LLP, available across any of the firm’s nine offices throughout Michigan. Warner Norcross + Judd is a full-service corporate law firm comprising over 230 dedicated attorneys. This position plays a pivotal role in supporting the firm’s Estate Planning Practice Group, directly contributing to the comprehensive services provided to clients. The staff attorney will be responsible for assisting with the meticulous preparation of critical estate planning documents, facilitating the complex estate settlement process, and ensuring accurate fiduciary accountings, all of which are essential for client satisfaction and firm success.

The TL;DR
• Role: Full Time Staff Attorney
• Location: Flexible across any of Warner Norcross + Judd’s nine Michigan offices, with remote work flexibility available.
• Team: Estate Planning Practice Group
• Mission: To service the firm’s clients by assisting with the preparation of estate planning documents, the estate settlement process, and preparing accurate fiduciary accountings.
• Tech Stack: Microsoft Word, document automation software (e.g., HotDocs), coding/scripting.

What You’ll Actually Do
• Estate Planning Document Preparation: Assist the Estate Planning Practice Group with the meticulous preparation of various estate planning documents tailored to client needs.
• Estate Settlement Process Assistance: Provide critical support throughout the estate settlement process, ensuring all procedures are followed accurately and efficiently.
• Fiduciary Accounting Management: Prepare comprehensive and precise fiduciary accountings, maintaining compliance with all relevant regulations.
• Estate Planning Forms Oversight: Manage and assemble all necessary estate planning forms, maintaining an organized and accessible repository for the practice group.

The Must-Haves
• Background: A Juris Doctor (JD) degree is required, demonstrating a foundational legal education. Candidates should possess core domain knowledge relevant to Trusts & Estates law, enabling them to understand and contribute to complex legal matters.
• Experience: Prior experience in a legal professional setting is strongly preferred, particularly within the trusts and estates domain, indicating familiarity with relevant practices and procedures. While no specific number of years is stated, demonstrated relevant experience will be a key differentiator.
• Skills: The successful candidate must exhibit a highly detail-oriented approach to all tasks, ensuring accuracy and precision in legal documentation and financial accountings. Excellent communication skills are essential for interacting with colleagues and potentially clients, alongside strong organizational skills to efficiently manage caseloads, documents, and various processes within the practice group.
• Bonus: Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Word is a significant advantage, streamlining document creation and editing. Experience utilizing document automation software, such as HotDocs, is highly valued for enhancing efficiency. Additionally, entry-level coding or scripting experience would be a plus, demonstrating an aptitude for technological solutions in legal workflows.