First-Year Trust & Estate Associate

Private Client and Tax Division

Today, we are the only truly global law firm dedicated to the personal and private capital needs of high-net-worth individuals and families.

Many of our clients are international families with interests in a number of locations. In a fast-moving and increasingly compliance focused world, the need for integrated advice that reaches across borders has never been greater. With offices across Europe, the United States and Asia-Pacific we provide coverage that other law firms in this area cannot match. Our team of experienced private client solicitors continually look for opportunities to ensure we have a strong presence in the locations where our clients live, work and invest.

Our advice to fiduciaries covers the design and implementation of new plans, as well as the modernization and consolidation of older trusts. We also assist them in complying with the complex rules surrounding investments, accounting, taxes, and compliance.

This practice generates approximately 55% of the partnership's revenues and is the largest in the world with over 300 people. We advise on domestic and international tax, estate planning, succession and mental capacity laws in Europe, the US and Asia, as well as facilitating our client's philanthropic endeavors. We have immigration teams in the major financial centers and are well placed to deal with tax investigation and litigation cases. Real estate is very important to our clients, and we have a specialist residential and rural team.

The Role

This role will sit in our Los Angeles office.

Role Overview

The associate will support senior attorneys in designing and implementing estate and trust planning solutions that guide clients through complex wealth transitions. The position offers hands‑on exposure to advanced planning concepts, charitable structures, and post‑mortem administration within a collaborative and mentorship‑driven environment.

Key Responsibilities

•        Assist with estate planning matters for high‑net‑worth and ultra‑high‑net‑worth individuals and families, including clients with complex family dynamics and asset structures.

•        Support the drafting and administration of foundational estate planning documents, including revocable trusts, wills, powers of attorney, and related instruments.

•        Gain exposure to advanced planning techniques involving irrevocable trusts, including CRUTs, GRATs, IDGTs, ILITs, and QPRTs, under the supervision of senior attorneys.

•        Assist with charitable planning matters, including the structuring of charitable organizations and foundations, and support compliance and planned giving strategies.

•        Participate in all stages of the estate planning process, including client intake, research, drafting, revisions, execution, and follow‑up.

•        Support gift, estate, and generation‑skipping transfer (GST) tax planning matters, including assisting with the preparation and review of estate and gift tax returns.

•        Assist with post‑mortem trust and estate administration matters, including tracking milestones, preparing fiduciary communications, and supporting asset distributions.

•        Contribute to the broader success of the practice by assisting with business development initiatives, including research, drafting articles or alerts, supporting presentations, and attending client or industry events as appropriate.

This list of duties and responsibilities is not exhaustive.  It is intended to describe the general content of, and requirements for the performance of this job, and as such, the role may also include the undertaking of additional tasks as required.

Key Skills and Experience

•        J.D. required; Tax LL.M. is a plus.

•        California bar membership required.

•        A demonstrated interest in Trusts & Estates, Tax, and Wealth Planning Law through coursework, internships, clinics, prior employment, or other relevant experience.

•        Open to candidates pursuing a career transition into Trusts & Estates, including associates with prior legal experience in another practice area who demonstrate a clear and genuine interest in the practice area through coursework, prior experience, or self‑directed learn.

•        Strong academic credentials are required; due to the competitive nature of our program and our unique practice areas, candidates must be highly motivated and possess a solid academic background (top 33% strongly preferred).

•        Ability to manage assignments responsibly, including meeting deadlines, maintaining accurate time records, and taking ownership of work product with appropriate supervision.

•        Strong legal research, writing, and organizational skills.

•        Demonstrates curiosity, initiative, and a desire to learn sophisticated estate planning concepts.

•        Interest in contributing to the firm’s success beyond individual matters, including collaboration with team members, process improvement, and long‑term professional development

•        Professional demeanor that inspires confidence with clients, colleagues, and intermediaries.

•        Practical, solutions‑oriented mindset and willingness to learn and apply new tools and techniques.

For California, the expected salary for this position is $175,000.  The actual compensation will be determined based on experience and other factors permitted by law.

About Withers

A law firm focused on people, performance, and collaboration.

For the past 130 years, we have supported some of the world’s most remarkable people and organizations at defining moments in their lives.

We are united in our commitment to integrity, quality and collaboration. We have a culture of high performance and deliver excellent service consistently across the firm. We provide tailored solutions built on trust and partner with our clients to achieve their goals.

Many of our clients are shaping the future and creating solutions to tackle many of the world’s problems. It makes for a fascinating and challenging practice.

Our role is to get to know each individual client, find out where they want to be, and help them to get there – whether they are building a business, buying a home or protecting and defending their interests.

To meet their unique needs we are exceptionally collaborative, working together across teams and time zones. And we are agile – focusing on strategy rather than rigid ideas and traditional hierarchy.

Join us to be part of a team that is always looking to the future. Where initiative, big ideas and bold moves are always encouraged. Where you can truly be yourself.

For more information on Withers, please visit the following links: General Career Site, LinkedIn, About Us 

Equal Opportunities Employment Statement

The firm is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.  Equal employment opportunity has been and will continue to be a fundamental principle at the firm.  Employment at the firm is based upon personal capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.  The firm prohibits and will not tolerate any discrimination or harassment on the basis of any of these classifications or characteristics.

If you are interested in applying for employment and need special assistance or an accommodation to use our website to apply for a position, please contact the firm at (203) 789-1320 or email us.recruiting@withersworldwide.com with your request.  Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation are made on a case-by-case basis.