Elder Law Attorney

Edwards Estate & Elder Law • Watchung, NJ

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The firm is seeking experienced elder law attorneys to help clients ensure their wishes are enforceable in death or dying crises and to advocate for vulnerable elderly people and others. The role offers opportunities for a meaningful career and advancement in a professional environment that values competence, empathy, and professionalism in work with clients and their families.

This is a full-time, in-office position. The attorney performs a wide variety of functions and supervises paralegals in support of the firm’s Estate & Elder Law practice. The work includes client contact and advocacy, drafting legal documents and correspondence, legal research and writing, tracking billable hours, and explaining the firm’s engagement process and fee schedule. The attorney also develops long-term client relationships and referral sources, attends CLE and networking events, and participates in county bar association events and activities.

Requirements

• J.D. degree.
• Five or more years of direct elder law experience; the posting describes this as required for qualification and also lists it as preferred.
• Experience in one or more of these elder law areas: estate administration, contested or uncontested guardianship, crisis management, Medicaid applications, Medicaid asset protection, or related litigation.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Attention to detail, solid organizational skills, and ability to prioritize and delegate tasks.
• Demonstrated experience with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Outlook, and Excel, and the firm’s case management system, CLIO.
• Ability to anticipate client and firm needs and help maintain the firm’s reputation, competence, and excellence.
• Ability to explain the firm’s engagement process and fee schedule, maintain accurate billable-hour records, and develop long-term client relationships.

Nice To Haves

• Additional licensure or education, such as an LLM, MBA, or CPA, is desired but not required.

Responsibilities

• Support the managing partner by drafting elder law service packages and advising on tax and Medicaid implications and complex asset-protection plans, including family partnerships and irrevocable trusts; supervise signing ceremonies.
• Manage estate and trust administration matters, including helping fiduciaries with administration, preparing and submitting fiduciary accounts, advising on beneficiary relations and asset management or distribution, advising on Estate and Inheritance Tax Returns, and interacting with financial institutions, other professionals, and the Surrogate Court.
• Advise on Medicaid spend-downs and applications with the County Board of Social Services; defend Medicaid clients in fair hearings; advocate for elderly clients in institutional-care or home-care settings.
• Handle litigation related to will and trust contests, guardianship or conservatorship, and other estate and elder law issues.
• Supervise paralegals supporting the Estate & Elder Law practice.
• Conduct client and third-party communications, draft documents, correspondence, and pleadings, and perform legal research and writing.
• Track billable hours accurately and explain the firm’s engagement process and fee schedule to clients.
• Build long-term client relationships and referral sources; attend CLE, networking events, and county bar association events and participate in related activities.
• Continue strengthening practice-area knowledge through CLE and offer innovative solutions to client issues.

Benefits

• 15 days of paid time off per calendar year and a personal holiday.
• Retirement plan.
• Health insurance, including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, available after the introductory period.
• Wellness benefits, including an in-house exercise room and relaxation room.
• Private shower available for firm employees.
• Competitive salary commensurate with direct work experience.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree