Director, Estate Planning

Laird Norton Wetherby•San Francisco, CA

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking a full-time Director, Estate Planning, to join our team. The Director of Estate Planning provides expert estate planning guidance to client service teams, plays a thought leadership role in the wealth transfer space, represents the firm in business development and external relationship efforts, and plays a key role in advancing and strengthening the firm’s overall Wealth Planning capabilities.

Requirements

J.D. required
7-12 years of relevant experience
A demonstrated knowledge of financial planning topics to include estate planning, income taxation, executive compensation, insurance and retirement planning
Working knowledge of income and transfer tax landscape
A strong understanding of the RIA business
High EQ
A strong work ethic and a team player
Desire and ability to work within a collaborative team environment
The ability to complete/manage projects that include multiple tasks
A self-starter with a desire to own projects and outcomes
Ability to integrate detailed voluminous information into a direct, concise communication while accommodating the subtleties of income and estate tax planning
Willingness and ability to balance additional support from technology, where appropriate
Candidates must meet all relevant employment qualifications at time of hiring, including (1) passing the background and credit checks successfully, along with any pre-employment exams; (2) signing all employee agreements; and (3) having the ability to consistently and effectively perform the job’s essential functions, duties, and responsibilities.

Nice To Haves

L.L.M. in Taxation an added plus

Responsibilities

Ability to integrate a significant amount of detailed and complex information from the client's situation and the current estate and income tax environment into a plan
Work with Wealth Management teams to help clients with estate-planning issues
Review client's current estate planning documents and prepare a flowchart or other summary documentation to communicate current plan in a clear and concise format
Engage in a discovery dialogue with clients to ensure their current plan is consistent with their intent, and if not, to recommend changes
Strategize ways to achieve client's philanthropic and intergenerational wealth transfer goals
Assist clients, in partnership with their estate attorney, with the implementation of their estate plan
Help LNW team assist surviving clients with their financial affairs after the death of a family member, in conjunction with the client's estate planning attorney, as appropriate
Communicate with Client Services colleagues and clients to address client questions in a timely manner
Prepare error-free client materials
Work with clients’ outside estate planning counsel and outside accountants on behalf of the client
Strive to make clients highly satisfied with your interactions and service
Build and maintain deep relationships with outside estate planning practitioners to ensure we have a strong referral network for current and prospective clients who are seeking new legal counsel
Cultivate relationships with estate planning attorneys and other centers of influence
Meet prospects to evaluate, discuss, and recommend basic and complex estate planning strategies
Participate in prospective client meetings, as needed and appropriate
Educate the firm's client-facing professionals on trust and estate planning concepts through internal updates and exposure to appropriate outside resources
Lead the Estate Planning efforts within the Wealth Planning committee
Stay current on any changes in legislation, trends in the wealth transfer space, and disseminate updates to Client Services team, as appropriate
Understand and utilize appropriate technology offerings within the wealth and estate planning space
Assist in the preparation of white papers on Estate/Financial Planning topics
Lead and/or participate in other firm-wide projects related to various wealth planning topics
Proactively look for improvement opportunities and enhancements in such items as client materials (with regard to estate planning and wealth planning)
Provide mentoring, support and training to various team members to aid in the development of their career
Execute individual development plan; continue to learn and grow, using new skills to drive LNW forward