Trusts & Estates/Tax Senior Associate or Partner

Willcox Savage•Norfolk, VA

11h•$155,000 - $200,000

About The Position

Willcox Savage is seeking an experienced Trusts & Estates/Tax Senior Associate or Partner to join its growing practice. The role involves helping expand and lead a sophisticated trusts and estates platform encompassing estate planning, estate and trust administration, tax planning, and fiduciary litigation support. The attorney will advise high-net-worth individuals, families, fiduciaries, and closely held business owners; develop business and client relationships; assist with tax matters and transactions; and mentor associates and paralegals. The position requires a J.D. from an accredited law school and active Virginia bar membership, or the ability to waive in promptly, plus 5 to 10 years of substantial trusts and estates experience. The firm seeks strong technical knowledge, sophisticated drafting ability, business-development capability, client counseling skills, and proven leadership. An LL.M. in Taxation, CPA designation, and additional experience in closely held business planning, fiduciary advising, multistate planning, and thought leadership are preferred. The starting salary range is $155,000 to $200,000 per year, with bonus potential. Benefits include comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan, paid time off and holidays, and professional development and continuing education opportunities. Willcox Savage is an Equal Opportunity Employer and offers reasonable accommodations during the application and interview process.

Requirements

J.D. from an accredited law school.
Active Virginia bar membership or ability to waive in promptly.
At least 5 to 10 years of substantial trusts and estates experience, including sophisticated estate planning and administration for high-net-worth clients.
Experience counseling tax-exempt entities.
Demonstrated ability to originate and grow business.
Strong drafting skills and technical command of transfer tax planning and fiduciary income tax considerations.
Excellent client counseling, communication, and interpersonal skills, including the ability to translate complex concepts into practical guidance.
Proven leadership skills and commitment to mentoring and developing junior attorneys.
High level of professionalism, judgment, and discretion when handling confidential matters.

Nice To Haves

LL.M. in Taxation and/or relevant professional designation(s), such as CPA.
Experience with closely held business planning, entity governance, and family wealth succession strategies.
Experience advising fiduciaries and/or serving as outside general counsel to trust companies or financial institutions.
Comfort with business development activities, speaking engagements, and publishing thought leadership.
Experience in multistate planning and administration, including domicile planning and state estate/inheritance tax considerations.
At least a partially portable book of business.

Responsibilities

Advise high-net-worth individuals, families, fiduciaries, and closely held business owners on estate planning, tax-efficient wealth transfer, succession planning, and charitable planning.
Draft and negotiate sophisticated estate planning documents, including wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, directed trusts, SLATs, GRATs, QPRTs, ILITs, and charitable vehicles.
Counsel clients regarding fiduciary duties, trust administration, probate matters, and related disputes; partner with litigators on contested estate and trust matters as needed.
Collaborate with corporate and real estate colleagues to deliver integrated planning solutions.
Develop and grow a book of business, originate matters, and deepen relationships with existing firm clients and referral sources.
Assist clients with tax planning and IRS and/or state tax controversies.
Assist corporate attorneys with tax aspects of transactions and planning.
Lead and mentor associates and paralegals and contribute to practice management and training.
Monitor federal and state tax law developments and advise clients on planning opportunities and risk mitigation.