Trusts & Estates Attorney

Shannon & Wright LLP, a growing and nationally recognized firm, is seeking an experienced attorney to join its sophisticated Trusts and Estates Practice. The attorney will provide legal counsel in all areas of estate planning, trust administration, and estate administration, including litigation, as needed. This attorney will work directly with individuals, families, fiduciaries, and business owners on estate planning, trust and estate administration, and related tax matters. The role requires familiarity with federal and state estate, gift, fiduciary income, and generation-skipping transfer tax concepts. Admission to the Virginia Bar is required, MD and DC is a plus.

S&W is committed to our core values of Professionalism, Integrity and Loyalty to create a supportive team environment that fosters personal and professional growth. S&W provides a competitive salary with benefits package along with bonus opportunities.

Key Job Responsibilities Include:

Estate Planning and Trust

• Advise clients on comprehensive estate planning, including wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, powers of attorney, and advance medical directives.
• Develop tailored estate plans that address complex family structures, tax concerns, and charitable giving.
• Draft, review, and amend estate planning documents to ensure legal compliance and alignment with client goals. 
• Counsel clients on estate and gift tax implications and generation-skipping transfer taxes.

• Guide executors, administrators, trustees, and beneficiaries probate and trust administration.
• Prepare probate and qualification filings for the appropriate Virginia circuit court clerk and prepare inventories, accountings, and related submissions to the Commissioner of Accounts.
• Advise fiduciaries regarding notices, claims, asset collection and valuation, trust funding, tax matters, distributions, and fiduciary duties under Virginia law.
• Identify and help resolve disputes involving fiduciary administration, beneficiary rights, will or trust interpretation, and related issues; coordinate with litigation counsel when appropriate.

Ideal Candidates will:

• Have a minimum of 2 years of substantive Wills, Trusts and Estates experience
• Strong knowledge of wills, trusts, fiduciary law, probate procedures, and estate administration
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills Provide a high level of professionalism in communicating with clients and while conducting sensitive and confidential client meetings
• Have strong drafting, analytical, and organizational skills
• Demonstrate the ability to manage multiple matters and meet deadlines
• Stay current on evolving trust, estate, and tax laws at both state and federal levels
• Have experience with Interactive Legal Services and Clio software
• Demonstrated interest in estate planning

All successful candidates will be required to pass a criminal background check. Please submit a resume and cover letter to careers@shannonwright.law.

Shannon & Wright, LLP is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.