Experienced Associate Attorney - Estate Planning & Elder Law - Edwards Estate & Elder Law

Law Firm Associate Attorney

Estate & Elder Law, Watchung, NJ

Looking for an amazing workplace to call your "Home"? If so, we invite you to join our team at our firm specializing in estate and elder law.

We are a small but mighty law firm delivering over a quarter decade of experience to clients and is now seeking associate attorneys with 3+ years of Estate Planning & Elder Care work experience to give clients immediate "Peace of Mind" when/if a crisis happens. Applicants must be experienced in one or more of the following various practice elements of estate and elder law: planning, administration, guardianship, Medicaid, and related litigation, and also bring with them a clientele that the Firm can service. This position offer opportunities for a meaningful career and advancement in an environment where competence and professionalism are equally regarded with empathy for clients and their families engaging the firm for their planning wishes, death and dying crisis management, and advocacy.

Summary: The associates' primary responsibilities include one or more of the following:

1. Support the managing partner with drafting planning instruments including Wills, Trusts, Powers of Attorney, Health Care Directives, and beneficiary designations, advise on tax and Medicaid implications and complex asset protection plans including family partnerships and irrevocable trusts; supervise signing ceremonies. Associates have the opportunity for growth in the firm by initiating client engagement through their own relationships.

2. Manage estate and trust administration matters to assist fiduciaries in the administration process, preparation and submission of fiduciary accounts, advise the client on beneficiary relations and asset management/distribution, advise on Estate and Inheritance Tax Returns, interact with financial institutions, and other professionals, and the Surrogate court.

3. Advise on Medicaid spend-down and applications with the County Board of Social Services; defend Medicaid clients in fair hearings; advocate for elderly clients in institutional care settings or home care settings.

4. Engage in litigation related to will and trust contests, guardianship/conservatorship and other issues related to estate and elder law.

5. 40.0 hours/week with expectation for commitment to additional hours as the client's and firm's needs require.

The associate attorney position is a full-time in-office position. Associates perform a wide variety of functions and supervise paralegals to support the firm's Estate & Elder Law practice. The position requires competent third-party contact, passionate advocacy, problem-solving, empathetic client contact, document, correspondence and pleading drafting, legal research, and writing, accurate billable hour tracking, and capability of explaining to the client the firm's engagement process and fee schedule. Interpersonal skills are required to develop a long-term client relationship and referrals. Attend CLE as required and to strengthen knowledge in the practice areas to offer innovative solutions to client issues; networking events; county bar association events and involvement.

Qualifications & Skills:

- J.D. Degree. Additional licensure or education, such as LLM, MBA, or CPA is desired but not required.

- Two or more years of relevant work experience, estate and elder law practice preferred.

- Excellent communication skills - both oral and written.

- Attention to detail, solid organizational skills, and ability to prioritize and delegate tasks.

- Demonstrated experience with relevant firm software programs such as Microsoft Office Applications (Word, Outlook and Excel) and the firm's case management system (CLIO).

- Ability to anticipate the client's needs and the firm's needs to maintain the firm's reputation, competence and excellence.

Benefits: Paid time off. Health insurance including medical, dental, life insurance, EAP, and HSA available after the introductory period of 90 days. Wellness benefits include an in-house Exercise Room and a Relaxation/Meditation Room. A private shower will be available to staff members who wish to exercise onsite.