Associate Attorney - Trust and Estate Litigation

Pay: $150,000.00 - $250,000.00 per year

Why This Is a Great Opportunity

• Join a highly focused litigation practice where trust and estate disputes are the core of the work, not a small part of a broader estate planning practice
• Handle sophisticated, high-stakes matters involving contested trusts, wills, fiduciary misconduct, breach of fiduciary duty, financial elder abuse, and related disputes
• Work directly with experienced litigators and receive mentorship, feedback, and a clear path for growth
• Take real ownership of cases, including pleadings, discovery, depositions, motion practice, hearings, settlement strategy, and trial preparation
• Be part of a fast-growing, values-driven team that rewards strong performance, accountability, and client impact
• Enjoy a competitive compensation package, performance-based bonuses, unlimited PTO, strong benefits, professional development support, and hybrid flexibility

Location

This is a hybrid role based out of our Irvine, California office. Candidates should be able to work in the office as needed, with relocation considered for the right candidate.

Note

Must have an active California Bar license in good standing, 3+ years of litigation experience, and 2+ years of trust and estate litigation experience. Estate planning experience alone is not sufficient for this role.

About Us

Confidential Employer. We are a rapidly growing Southern California litigation firm focused exclusively on trust and estate disputes. Our team represents clients in complex, sensitive, and high-value matters involving contested trusts and wills, fiduciary disputes, elder financial abuse, and related probate litigation. We are known for strategic advocacy, strong client communication, and a collaborative team culture built around excellence, accountability, and respect.

Job Description

• Manage a caseload of trust and estate litigation matters under the direction of senior attorneys and partners
• Draft pleadings, motions, discovery, correspondence, settlement materials, and other litigation documents
• Handle written discovery, document review, meet-and-confer efforts, and case strategy
• Take and defend depositions, prepare witnesses, and participate in hearings, mediations, and trial preparation
• Analyze complex trust, probate, fiduciary duty, and estate dispute issues
• Communicate with clients, opposing counsel, courts, experts, and internal team members in a clear and professional manner
• Work closely with paralegals, legal assistants, junior attorneys, and partners to move cases forward efficiently
• Identify leverage points, litigation risks, and practical resolution strategies
• Contribute to a high-performing team that values preparation, precision, responsiveness, and strong client service

Qualifications

• Active California Bar license in good standing
• 3+ years of litigation experience
• 2+ years of trust and estate litigation experience
• Experience with discovery, depositions, motion practice, court appearances, and trial preparation
• Strong familiarity with California litigation procedure, probate litigation, and related court rules
• Ability to manage deadlines, competing priorities, and a sophisticated caseload
• Strong writing, research, analysis, and client communication skills
• High emotional intelligence and professionalism in sensitive family and fiduciary disputes
• Comfortable receiving feedback, using technology, and working in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment

Why You Will Love Working Here

• Focused practice area with meaningful, complex, and intellectually engaging litigation work
• Supportive team culture with mentorship, direct feedback, and room to grow
• Opportunity to build toward leadership and long-term advancement
• Performance-based bonuses and a compensation structure that rewards results
• Hybrid flexibility with a collaborative in-office culture
• Unlimited PTO, 401(k) safe harbor match, medical, dental, and vision insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, student loan repayment, and paid professional development
• A values-driven environment built around strong work, mutual respect, team wins, and client wins

JPC-1018

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Relocation assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Requirements: Must-haves: CA bar license, 2+ years of trust and estate litigation experience

• Nice to haves: includes probate litigation, contested trusts and wills, fiduciary disputes, financial elder abuse, depositions, motion practice, hearings, and trial preparation.

• Additional context: Relocation- [yes]. Packages - [yes]

• Salary Bands:

  • • 3 to 4 years litigation experience, with 2+ years trust and estate litigation: $150,000 to $175,000

  • • 5 to 6 years directly relevant trust and estate litigation experience: $175,000 to $210,000

  • • 7+ years strong trust and estate litigation experience with high case ownership: $210,000 to $250,000

Submission Email: Michelle - [email protected]

Quick Recruiter Reference

Fast-growing Southern California litigation firm focused exclusively on trust and estate litigation. Role is for a CA-barred associate attorney with 3+ years of litigation experience and 2+ years of trust and estate litigation experience. Estate planning-only candidates are not a fit.

Recruiters Submission: To submit, cancel - Associate Attorney - Trust and Estate Litigation - The Estate Lawyers - JPC 1018 - Source

**New Job Order Alert**

• Client job title: Associate Attorney - Trust and Estate Litigation

• Location: Irvine, CA

• On-site, hybrid, remote: Hybrid

• Experience: 2

• Good fit job titles/keywords for candidates: Trust and Estate Litigation Attorney, Probate Litigation Attorney, Trust Litigation Associate, Estate Litigation Associate, Fiduciary Litigation Attorney, Probate Attorney, Contested Trusts, Contested Wills, Fiduciary Misconduct, Elder Financial Abuse, Breach of Fiduciary Duty

• # of hires needed: 1

• Open or not to recruiters on TE: YES

• Job posting strategy (bottom of package details): Irvine, 2+ yrs T&E litigation exp atty