Trusts & Estates/Tax Senior Associate or Partner

Willcox Savage•Norfolk, VA

About The Position

Willcox Savage is seeking an experienced Trusts & Estates/Tax Senior Associate or Partner to join our growing practice. The ideal candidate will bring deep technical knowledge, a client-first mindset, and the ability to expand and lead a sophisticated trusts and estates platform, including estate planning, estate and trust administration, tax planning, and related fiduciary litigation support.

Requirements

J.D. from an accredited law school and active bar membership in Virginia (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 (a portable book preferred).
Strong drafting skills and technical command of transfer tax planning and fiduciary income tax considerations.
Excellent client counseling, communication, and interpersonal skills; 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 with confidential matters.

Nice To Haves

LL.M. in Taxation and/or relevant professional designation(s) (e.g., CPA) a plus.
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 strategies, including tax-efficient wealth transfer, succession planning, and charitable planning.
Draft and negotiate sophisticated estate planning documents (e.g., wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, directed trusts, SLATs/GRATs/QPRTs, ILITs, charitable vehicles) tailored to client objectives and evolving law.
Provide counsel regarding fiduciary duties, trust administration, probate matters, and related disputes; partner with litigators as needed on contested estate/trust matters.
Work collaboratively 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 (wealth advisors, CPAs, bankers, family businesses).
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; contribute to practice management and training.
Stay current on federal and state tax law developments and proactively advise clients on planning opportunities and risk mitigation.