Seeking a Tax, Trusts & Estates Associate with 3+ years’ experience to join Hackensack New Jersey office. LL.M preferred in Taxation or Estate Planning. Bar admission in one or more states in which the Firm has an office and where the candidate desires to be resident is required. Strong academic credentials, excellent oral and written communication skills required.

Job Title: Tax, Trust & Estate Associate

Job Summary: As a Tax, Trust & Estate Associate, you will specialize in providing legal support and advice to clients in matters related to taxation, estate planning, and trust administration. Working within a law firm's tax or estate planning department, you will assist in structuring tax-efficient estate plans, drafting estate planning documents, and providing guidance on wealth preservation and transfer strategies.

Responsibilities:

Estate Planning: Assist clients in developing comprehensive estate plans tailored to their individual needs and objectives. Draft wills, trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and other estate planning documents to facilitate the transfer of assets and minimize tax liabilities.
Tax Analysis: Conduct thorough tax analyses to identify opportunities for minimizing estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer taxes. Evaluate the tax implications of various estate planning strategies, including lifetime gifting, charitable giving, and business succession planning.
Trust Administration: Provide legal guidance to trustees and fiduciaries on the administration and management of trusts. Assist with trust funding, asset transfers, beneficiary distributions, and compliance with fiduciary duties and legal obligations.
Estate Administration: Assist clients with the probate process and administration of decedents' estates. Prepare and file estate tax returns, inheritance tax returns, and other necessary filings with taxing authorities. Facilitate the orderly distribution of assets to heirs and beneficiaries.
Tax Compliance: Prepare and file individual income tax returns, gift tax returns, and estate tax returns on behalf of clients. Ensure timely compliance with tax filing requirements and reporting obligations under federal and state tax laws.
Client Advisory: Provide strategic tax and estate planning advice to high-net-worth individuals, families, and business owners. Communicate complex tax concepts and estate planning strategies in a clear and understandable manner. Address client inquiries and concerns in a timely and professional manner.
Wealth Preservation: Advise clients on wealth preservation and asset protection strategies to safeguard assets from creditors, lawsuits, and other potential risks. Evaluate the use of trusts, LLCs, family limited partnerships, and other legal structures to achieve asset protection goals.
Legal Research: Stay abreast of developments in tax law, trust law, and estate planning techniques. Conduct legal research and analysis to support estate planning strategies, tax planning initiatives, and client advisory services.

Qualifications:

Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
Admission to the state bar and in good standing with the relevant jurisdiction.
Previous experience in tax law, estate planning, or trust administration preferred.
Strong understanding of federal and state tax laws, estate tax principles, and trust administration procedures.
Excellent drafting skills, with experience in drafting wills, trusts, and other estate planning documents.
Proficiency in tax research tools and software, such as CCH IntelliConnect or Bloomberg Tax.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with clients and colleagues.
Detail-oriented with excellent organizational and time management abilities.