Donahue Fitzgerald is a highly respected and growing law firm with a strong commitment to providing exceptional legal services to our clients. Our Trusts and Estates practice is a cornerstone of our firm, recognized for its sophisticated handling of complex and high-stakes disputes. We pride ourselves on a collaborative environment, professional development opportunities, and a commitment to work-life balance. We represent a diverse client base, including high-net-worth individuals, fiduciaries, and charitable organizations, in all aspects of trust and estate controversies
We seek an associate attorney for our Trusts & Estates practice group in our Oakland office. In this time of significant planning opportunities for clients, the Trusts & Estates group has seen demand for its services increase exponentially. The position is well-suited for someone who enjoys being busy and wants to work for a firm with an established path to partnership.
We believe in rewarding hard work. Our attorneys have a minimum billable hour requirement of 1,610 hours per year. For those who meet or exceed this goal, our tiered bonus program provides a clear path to increase your earnings significantly.
The annual base salary for this position is $165,000 to $195,000. Depending on billable hours, total compensation can range up to $207,000 for those at the lower end of the salary range, or up to $245,000 at the higher end.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
- 5+ years of estate planning and trust administration experience, with a background in tax preferred.
- Experience drafting and implementing complex estate planning strategies such as GST legacy trusts, SLATs, GRATs, IDGTs, and Charitable Trusts.
- Experience handling probate trust administration matters, including preparing and filing motions and some litigation preferred.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to interface with clients regularly.
- Must be detail-oriented.
- Ability to problem solve and work with a variety of personalities and work styles.
- Must be a self-starter with superior organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple assignments within a fast-pace environment.
- Proficient with MS Office Suite and a Document Management System desired.
- Experience with AI tools including Co-Counsel, Co-Pilot and NetDocuments.
- Must work in the office for five days during the first 90 days of employment, followed by a hybrid schedule of three days in-office.
The ideal candidate will also have strong academic credentials from a top law school. Must be admitted and a member in good standing of the California Bar.
This is an exciting opportunity to join a well-established firm that offers interesting work, a collaborative working environment, opportunities to support pro bono activities and competitive benefits.
To Apply: Interested candidates should submit a cover letter detailing their relevant experience and interest in this position, along with a resume and a writing sample (e.g., a legal brief, motion, or a significant portion of a pleading) that demonstrates their litigation drafting skills.
The salary range for this position applies to California. The salary range reflects a variety of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to experience, education, licensure and/or certifications, geographic location, market demands, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for a position. A reasonable estimate of the current range for this position is $165,000-$195,000.
DF LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Please apply here: Link to ADP
Donahue Fitzgerald LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
The salary range for this position applies to California. Salary range is $165,000 – $195,000. The salary range does not guarantee, obligate, or set expectations of an applicant’s salary in the event of hire. Actual compensation will depend upon several factors, including but not limited to the candidate’s years of experience, qualifications, and skill set.