Location: Santa Ana, CA (In-person; also hiring in San Jose)
Compensation: $120,000–$200,000 per year
Supplemental Pay: Bonus pay

POSITION SUMMARY:

Copenbarger & Copenbarger LLP, a full-service estate planning and elder law firm, is seeking an experienced Trust and Estate Administration Associate Attorney for our Santa Ana office. This is an excellent opportunity to join a highly respected firm with deep expertise in tax, estate, and elder law, offering competitive compensation, strong benefits, and a supportive, collaborative culture.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Juris Doctorate
• Active California Bar membership in good standing
• 5+ years of experience in trust & estate administration
• Clear and professional legal writing and analysis
• Comfortable working independently with good judgment on when to escalate issues
• Strong client-facing communication and interpersonal skills
• Organized, deadline-driven, and detail-oriented
• Experience with conservatorships and probates required
• Experience with estate planning, guardianships, or contested matters is a plus
• LL.M. in Tax or Estate Planning is a plus

• Administer wills, trusts, probates, and conservatorships from start to finish
• Draft and prepare petitions, court documents, and fiduciary accounts (e.g., 850 & 17200 petitions)
• Handle asset inventory, valuation, sub-trust funding, and distributions
• Review estate and gift tax returns, fiduciary income tax returns
• Communicate regularly with clients, internal staff, and attorneys
• Perform legal research and maintain accurate documentation
• Attend litigation-related events (depositions, hearings, etc.) if applicable
• Maintain billable hours with accurate time tracking
• Coordinate with courts and restricted depository accounts when needed
• Support clients with compassion and professionalism through the administration process