Associate / Attorney - Estate Planning

NEW IN Estate Planning Attorney Help Lead & Grow an Estate Planning Practice |Paying $140k–$220k + Bonus in $100k’s Chicago – Flex Hybrid Big-Firm Work, Boutique Feel

Remember to check your CV before applying Also, ensure you read through all the requirements related to this role.
Highlights:• Join a well-established Chicago business law firm with a thriving, in-house estate planning practice.• Step into a team of 5 estate planning attorneys as attorney #6 – with a real chance to become the go-to estate planner in the firm.• Substantial autonomy: take an estate plan from initial client meeting through signing with minimal oversight.• Mix of sophisticated estate planning and the opportunity to support corporate/tax work if that interests you.• Positive, low-drama culture where people are genuinely happy, well-treated, and stay long term.
Role: Estate Planning Attorney (Associate or Partner Level)• Focus: Estate planning only (partner in the group focuses on probate).• Core work:•Meet directly with clients, design plans, and draft complex estate planning documents (wills, revocable/irrevocable trusts, powers of attorney, tax-sensitive structures, etc.).• Run matters beginning to end – from fact-gathering and design to drafting, revisions, and signing.• Collaborate with the broader business/tax group on related tax and corporate planning issues.
Comp and benefits:• Base salary: Up to $220k depending on experience• Bonus structure (very real, very lucrative):• Hours bonus: for associates, roughly ⅓ of your billable rate on hours over target – can add tens of thousands of dollars, even $100k’s• Collections bonus: 10–15% of collected originations (depending on associate vs partner).• Billable expectations:• Associates: ~1,800 hours.• Partner level: ~1,600 hours, with bonus kicking in after that.• Benefits:• Health insurance: Firm covers the individual health premium (Blue Cross), your share is minimal (often ~$30–40/month).• Dental and life insurance.• 401(k) with 3% mandatory firm contribution (i.e. the firm contributes regardless).
Other points of interest:• Healthy, established estate planning practice you can step into on day one – not a “build it from scratch” situation.• Real opportunity to become the internal leader for estate planning as the current partner focuses on probate.• Collaborative, pleasant environment – described as a place where people are happy, supported, and not micromanaged.• Chance to grow your own book over time with firm support, if you’re interested in developing a practice.
Location / schedule:o Chicago Loop office.o Expect 3–4 days in-office, with flexibility (especially after you’re established).
What they’re looking for:• Licensed in Illinois.• 5+ years of hands-on estate planning experience.• Comfortable running estate plans with minimal oversight – not just form-filling.• Strong drafting skills and client-facing confidence.• Tax experience strongly preferred – e.g. LL.M. in Tax or tax certificate, or meaningful tax-focused planning work.• Willingness to help on corporate tax matters and to develop a book over time (no book required to start, but openness to business development is a plus). xzbcwsv
How to apply:If you’re an Illinois estate planning attorney (5+ years) who can confidently run sophisticated plans and would love to join a busy, friendly Chicago firm with real upside, I’d love to talk. Reply with your resume (and a brief note on your estate planning/tax experience), or reach out directly and mention:“Estate Planning Attorney – Chicago hybrid role”We’ll set up a confidential call to walk through the details and see if it’s a fit.