Associate - Trusts & Estates

Harris Beach Murtha formed in 2025 via the combination of Harris Beach PLLC and Murtha Cullina LLP. A forward-thinking and innovative partnership with the benefit of more than 250 years of combined history, Harris Beach Murtha’s New York roots reach back to 1856 and the firm has had ties to New England since 1936. Harris Beach and Murtha Cullina were separately among the country’s top law firms as ranked by The National Law Journal.

Harris Beach Murtha and its subsidiaries have a strong Northeast presence, but a global reach. Clients include Fortune 100 corporations, privately held companies, emerging businesses, public sector entities, tax-exempt organizations and individuals. The firm’s practice areas and industries served span appellate law, business litigation, commercial real estate, construction, corporate, environmental, energy, financial institutions, financial restructuring, government compliance and investigations, health care, immigration, intellectual property, labor and employment, mass torts, medical and life sciences, political law, product liability, public finance, tax, and trusts and estates.

The firm’s lawyers and consultants practice from offices throughout Connecticut in Bantam, Hartford, New Haven and Stamford; New York state in Albany, Buffalo, Ithaca, New York City, Rochester, Saratoga Springs, Syracuse, Long Island and White Plains, as well as in Boston, Massachusetts, Newark, New Jersey and Washington, D.C.

Location: Open to all Harris Beach Murtha offices for hybrid remote opportunity: Albany, Syracuse, Ithaca, Rochester (Pittsford), Buffalo, Uniondale, White Plains, New York City, NY; Hartford, New Haven, Stamford, CT; and Boston, MA

Description: This associate will work closely with senior attorneys on a variety of comprehensive legal services to high-net-worth individuals, families and businesses.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal counsel and representation to clients in matters related to estate planning, trust administration and probate
• Draft, review and finalize a variety of estate planning documents, including wills, trusts, power of attorney and advance healthcare directives
• Advise clients on strategies to minimize estate taxes and protect their assets
• Assist in the administration of estates and trusts, including preparing and filing necessary legal documents, managing asset distribution and resolving any disputes
• Conduct legal research and stay up-to-date with the latest developments in estate planning, tax law and probate law
• Collaborate with clients' financial advisors, accountants and other professionals to develop comprehensive estate plans
• Represent clients in court proceedings related to probate and trust administration as needed
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients through effective communication and a deep understanding of their unique needs
• The firm requires a minimum of 1800 billable hours annually
  
  

Qualifications

• 4-6 years of experience as a trusts and estates attorney
• Admission to New York, Connecticut and/or Massachusetts bar (or ability to waive in) required
• Must have Juris Doctorate degree with an ABA accredited law school and be an active member in good standing of the bar
• Experience drafting estate planning documents including all types of trusts, as well as complex estate and trust administration
• Experience with estate, gift and fiduciary income tax returns is required
• Experience representing fiduciaries and beneficiaries in Probate Court estate and trust proceedings
• Exceptionally strong writing skills are required
• Must have excellent verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated high level organizational skills for prioritizing workload
• Demonstrated ability to absorb, process and understand, new information rapidly
• Must be able to manage competing priorities
• Maintains high standards of performance
• Exhibits conscientiousness, dedication, self-discipline, and a sense of responsibility
• Must have a professional, cooperative, positive and flexible attitude
• Ability to work with diverse personalities within various levels of the organization
• Military experience welcome
  
  

Salary information below will vary depending upon relevant experience for the position and geographic locations.

Albany, Syracuse, Ithaca, Rochester (Pittsford), Buffalo: $130,000 - $175,000

Uniondale & White Plains: $135,000 - 175,000

New York City: $140,000 - 175,000

Harris Beach Murtha is committed to an inclusive environment and we welcome applications from diverse candidates with varied background and skills, including military experience. Harris Beach Murtha Cullina PLLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The firm’s policy prohibiting unlawful discrimination applies to all aspects of employment, including hiring, placement, assignment of duties, training, promotion, compensation & benefits and termination. It is the policy of Harris Beach Murtha Cullina PLLC that all applicants and employees enjoy a positive, respectful and productive work environment, free from behavior, actions or language constituting unlawful harassment. Accordingly, harassment or discrimination of any kind based on an individual’s race or color, sex, age, religion, national origin, marital status, disability, military status, genetic predisposition, carrier status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, creed, domestic violence victim status or any other legally protected status is strictly prohibited. Harris Beach Murtha complies with the provisions of the Human Rights Law, all other State and Federal statutory and constitutional non-discrimination provisions including non-discrimination on the basis of prior criminal conviction and prior arrest.

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