Associate Attorney – Family Law & Estate Planning Litigation
We seek an Associate Attorney to manage a robust litigation caseload in family law while also providing estate planning services. The attorney will serve as lead counsel on firm-managed matters, carrying full responsibility from intake through resolution. Escalation to the Managing Attorney occurs only for strategic, ethical, or high-risk issues.
Key Responsibilities:
• Independently manage a strong litigation practice including uncontested and contested divorces, custody disputes, protective order hearings, adult adoptions, and related family law matters.
• Handle estate planning matters such as wills, trusts, and powers of attorney (note: estate administration is not part of this role).
• Conduct frequent court appearances, including hearings and trial preparation, maintaining a confident and effective courtroom presence.
• Provide empathetic and professional client communication, skillfully managing emotional and high-stress interactions.
• Draft, file, and argue pleadings; develop and execute discovery strategies.
• Manage case progression, deadlines, and overall client relationships.
• Supervise paralegal and law clerk support on assigned matters.
• Collaborate with the Managing Attorney as needed for case strategy and high-risk decisions.
Required Skills & Attributes:
• Strong litigation skills with demonstrated courtroom experience and confidence.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with patience and empathy to support emotional family law clients.
• Independent, self-motivated, and detail-oriented with a strong work ethic.
• Sound legal judgment and ability to make procedural and tactical decisions.
• Professional maturity and ability to maintain neutrality and foster firm cohesion.
Authority & Accountability:
• Lead attorney on assigned cases, authorized to manage routine legal and tactical matters independently.
• Responsible for controlling caseload without frequent supervision, escalating novel or sensitive issues appropriately.