Senior Trust & Estate Litigation Attorney

Coastal Wave Recruiting

Senior Trust & Estate Litigation Attorney handling California trust and estate disputes and supervising junior attorneys. Collaborating with clients to resolve complex litigation issues and mentor associates.

Posted 6/16/2026full-timeSan Jose • California • 🇺🇸 United StatesSeniorWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Our client is seeking a Senior Trust & Estate Litigation Attorney to join its growing litigation practice in California. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced attorney who enjoys handling sophisticated trust and estate disputes, financial elder abuse matters, fiduciary litigation, and high-net-worth family conflicts.
The successful candidate will work directly with clients on complex trust and estate litigation matters while helping supervise junior attorneys and contributing to the continued growth of the practice. The firm is seeking a candidate who has both strong litigation skills and an entrepreneurial mindset, with interest in developing and expanding a long-term practice.
This position offers significant autonomy, leadership responsibility, client contact, and a clear path toward continued advancement within an established California law firm.
ResponsibilitiesTrust & Estate Litigation· Handle complex trust and estate disputes
· Manage fiduciary litigation matters
· Represent trustees, beneficiaries, executors, and fiduciaries
· Handle trust contests and will contests
· Manage contested probate matters
· Litigate financial elder abuse claims
Litigation Strategy & Case Management· Manage cases from inception through resolution
· Draft pleadings, motions, and legal memoranda
· Conduct discovery and depositions
· Participate in mediations, settlement negotiations, and court appearances
· Develop litigation strategy and case plans
Client Relationship Management· Serve as a trusted advisor to clients
· Manage client expectations and communication
· Build and maintain long-term client relationships
· Assist with business development and practice growth initiatives
Leadership & Mentorship· Supervise and mentor associates
· Review attorney work product
· Assist with training and professional development
· Support practice management initiatives

Requirements

What you’ll need

· 8+ years of Trust & Estate Litigation experience
· Strong experience handling contested trust and probate matters
· Experience with fiduciary disputes and financial elder abuse litigation
· Experience supervising junior attorneys preferred
· Strong analytical, negotiation, and advocacy skills
· Excellent written and verbal communication skills
· Juris Doctor (JD) required
· Active California Bar membership required
· Experience with a respected regional, midsize, or AmLaw firm preferred
· Partial portable book of business preferred
· Desire to build and grow a long-term California practice

Benefits

Comp & perks

Base plus Incentive Compensation

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

Trust & Estate Litigationfiduciary litigationfinancial elder abuse litigationcontested probate mattersdraft pleadingsconduct discoverylitigation strategycase managementnegotiationadvocacy

Soft Skills

analytical skillswritten communicationverbal communicationclient relationship managementleadershipmentorshipbusiness developmententrepreneurial mindsetsupervisiontraining

Certifications

Juris Doctor (JD)California Bar membership