Associate - Strategic Planning

ASPIRIANT•Irvine, CA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Strategic Planning Law Group, P.C. is a boutique Southern California estate planning firm serving high- and ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families and their closely held businesses. The firm offers a team-oriented, collegial environment, strong support and resources, and an extensive training program in gift and estate tax and advanced estate planning. The Associate works with clients, wealth managers, and the firm’s team on estate and business succession planning, estate administration, and related tax and legal matters. The role includes preparing core estate planning documents and sophisticated estate tax planning documents; creating and maintaining legal and charitable entities; handling trust and estate administration; conducting legal research; preparing client service plans; and reviewing federal gift and estate tax returns. The position is hybrid and primarily office-based, with work involving client and team communication, document preparation, and computer use. Hiring is conducted through Aspiriant, an affiliated wealth management firm. Employees are required to disclose securities holdings and transactions, and certain securities trading is restricted. The firm describes its workplace as collaborative and supportive of learning and career growth, and states its commitment to diversity and equal opportunity.

Requirements

J.D. degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
Member in good standing of the California Bar, or completion of the California State Bar Exam in 2026.
Demonstrated strong interest in estate planning.
Zero to three years of relevant estate planning experience, or ability to demonstrate working knowledge of basic estate planning and related tax concepts.
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and Outlook.
Strong initiative and work ethic.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Excellent organizational and time-management skills, including the ability to manage competing priorities and multiple projects.
Ability to work as a team player in a fast-paced environment.
Exceptional attention to detail and proven ability to manage multiple priorities.
Ability to maintain confidentiality.
Ability to work independently and resolve complex problems.
Ability to timely and confidently execute well-reasoned resolutions.
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to interact with individuals at all levels.
Strong drafting skills and attention to detail.
Ability to meet the stated physical demands, including occasional lifting or moving of objects up to 10 pounds and repetitive computer keyboard use.
Disclose securities holdings and transactions as required by Aspiriant policies; certain securities trading is restricted.

Nice To Haves

PowerPoint skills.
Some understanding of federal gift and estate tax law.
Completion of a Federal Gift & Estate Tax course.
Prior law firm or professional experience in estate planning.

Responsibilities

Work with clients to prepare core estate planning documents, including wills, living trusts, and powers of attorney.
Work with clients to prepare sophisticated estate tax planning documents and techniques, including grantor retained annuity trusts, sales to defective grantor trusts, qualified personal residence trusts, dynasty trusts, and life insurance trusts.
Work with wealth managers as part of a team providing intergenerational service to ultra-high-net-worth families.
Draft real property documents, including deeds, preliminary change of ownership reports, and property tax filings.
Prepare client service plans describing estate planning strategies and reviewing existing estate planning documents.
Conduct legal research related to tax, estate planning, and related matters.
Prepare documents to form and maintain legal entities, including family limited partnerships, limited liability companies, and corporations.
Prepare documents to create and maintain charitable entities, including charitable remainder trusts, private foundations, and philanthropic legacy documents.
Handle trust and estate administration matters.
Review federal gift and estate tax returns.