Attorney - Estate Planning - Chicago - 220k

2 days ago

Chicago, IL, United States We Are Legal Revolution Full-time

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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.
Focus: Estate planning only (partner in the group focuses on probate).

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.

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:
Partner level: ~1,600 hours, with bonus kicking in after that.
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).

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.
Chicago Loop office.
Expect 3–4 days in-office, with flexibility (especially after you’re established).

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).