What are the responsibilities and job description for the Trust Counsel position at Johnson Investment Counsel?
Job Title:
Trust Counsel
Date:
February 2025
Department
Johnson Trust Company
Reports To:
VP Estate Planning & Senior Trust Counsel – Johnson Trust Company
FLSA Classification:
Exempt
Summary / objective of position:
As Estate Planning attorney, responsible for promoting and growing the use of JTC services by providing reviews of client estate plans, and identification of issues and opportunities for planning, and attracting new client relationships by presenting JTC’s services to prospective clients.
As Trust Counsel, responsible for providing legal counsel for the trust administration services provided by the trust company; legal analysis/advice regarding trust administration, asset acquisition, and asset protection issues.
Essential functions of position:
Estate Planning
- Promote the use of JTC services by existing JIC clients and potential clients, by providing estate and charitable gift planning.
- Serve as in-house estate planning resource for staff and clients, including client education, review and summary of client estate planning documents, formulation of estate planning strategies, preparation of calculations, illustrations and presentation materials.
- With other estate planning team members, develop relationships with portfolio managers and their staff in order to help them problem solve and develop solutions to meet their clients’ needs while minimizing risk to the firm.
Trust Counsel
- Work with Senior Trust Counsel and Trust Counsel in analyzing and addressing legal risks within trust administration.
- Work with Senior Trust Counsel and Trust Counsel in providing legal counsel to trust staff regarding tax law, trust law, estate and probate administration, trust set-up, asset acquisition and asset protection.
- Serve as member of Trust Administration Committee.
- With Trust Counsel team members, provide counsel for Johnson Investment Counsel compliance staff.
Preferred education and experience
- Detailed knowledge of: income, gift, GST, and estate taxes; estate planning techniques; and trust law.
- Working knowledge of basic principles of investment advisory services and financial planning.
- At least 5-10 years experience in private practice (estate planning and trust/estate administration) or equivalent.
- Strong client focus.
- Ability to work and thrive in a team environment
- Excellent interpersonal and communications skills.
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and work independently.
- Organized and detail-oriented.
- Law degree required.
Supervisory responsibility: N/A
Travel required: Yes, periodically for client meetings and networking events, mostly within Ohio.
Work environment: Temperature controlled, office environment.
Physical demands: Must be able to stand or sit at computer for 8 hours per day. May require extensive typing at times.
Additional eligibility requirements: N/A
Work authorization/security clearance requirements: United States Citizen or lawful permanent resident
EEO statement: As an equal opportunity employer, Johnson Investment Counsel, Inc. does not discriminate in its employment decisions on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran/ military status, or any other protected status as required by law.
Other duties: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
