Associate Attorney - Estate Planning & Asset Protection

SWBC

$80K — $120K *
Legal & Accounting
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school
  • Active bar license in Texas
  • Minimum of 3 years of experience in estate planning and trust-based planning
  • Proficiency in advanced planning strategies, including asset protection and tax planning
  • Strong drafting and analytical skills
  • Excellent interpersonal communication skills
  • Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple projects

Responsibilities

  • Conduct consultations to assess client goals and family dynamics
  • Draft and review estate planning documents like Revocable Living Trusts and wills
  • Develop asset protection strategies and tax-efficient wealth transfer solutions
  • Stay updated on estate and tax law changes
  • Guide clients through complex legal concepts
  • Advise on post-death trust administration processes
  • Build strong relationships with clients through compassionate communication

Benefits

  • Focus on planning and protection, not litigation
  • Generous paid time off
  • Collaborative team environment
  • Opportunities for role growth and contribution to firm strategy
Full Job Description
Location: New Braunfels, Texas (serving clients throughout the Austin-San Antonio corridor, as well as some in the Houston and DFW areas)

Position Overview

This is a full-time, in-house position. We are looking for a seasoned Estate Planning Attorney with at least 3 years of experience in designing and executing comprehensive estate plans including Revocable Living Trusts. The right candidate will be confident handling client relationships from consultation to completion and skilled in asset protection, tax planning, and advanced planning strategies.

This is a high-impact role where you will work directly with clients, collaborate with a supportive legal team, and play an integral part in shaping the future direction of the firm.

Key Responsibilities
  • Estate Planning & Asset Protection
  • Conduct thorough consultations to assess client goals, asset structures, and family dynamics
  • Draft and review tailored estate planning documents including Revocable Living Trusts, wills, powers of attorney, advance healthcare directives, etc.
  • Develop and implement asset protection strategies, business succession plans, and tax-efficient wealth transfer solutions
  • Stay informed on changes in estate, tax, and elder law to provide forward-thinking counsel
  • Guide clients through complex legal concepts with clarity and care
  • Business - we handle some entity formations, contracts, and IP work
  • Probate - we handle a fair amount of uncontested probate matters

Trust Administration
  • Advise successor trustees through post-death trust administration processes
  • Interpret legal documents, coordinate asset distributions, and ensure fiduciary compliance
  • Work closely with financial advisors, CPAs, and other professionals to achieve client objectives
  • Ensure all administrative steps are handled efficiently and accurately
  • Client Relationship Management - We strive to deliver a Wow experience to them
  • Build strong, ongoing relationships with clients through responsive and compassionate communication
  • Support educational efforts through occasional webinars or community seminars
  • Collaborate with client services and marketing teams to support firm growth initiatives

Leadership & Collaboration
  • Partner with attorneys, support staff, and operations to deliver a seamless client experience
  • Mentor junior attorneys or legal team members as needed
  • Participate in improving internal processes and legal service delivery standards

Qualifications
  • Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school
  • Active bar license in Texas
  • Minimum of 3 years of direct experience in estate planning and trust-based planning
  • Proficiency with advanced planning strategies, including asset protection and tax planning
  • Strong drafting, analytical, and interpersonal communication skills
  • Highly organized, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
  • A client-first attitude and a collaborative team spirit
  • Very high attention to detail

What We Offer
  • A role centered on planning and protection-not litigation
  • Competitive compensation and benefits including very generous paid time off
  • A collaborative and respectful team environment
  • Opportunities to grow your role and contribute to the firm's strategic direction

All serious candidates must take our attorney skills assessment and receive a passing score to be eligible for an interview. The questions are not related to law. Instead, they are designed to evaluate necessary skills such as attention to detail, problem solving, critical thinking, deductive reasoning, written communication, etc. The estimated time to complete it is about an hour.

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