Associate Attorney - Bequest Management, Trust & Estates Attorney

Description

Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick’s Bequest Management Practice (CCK Bequest) represents national nonprofit organizations in protecting, realizing, and maximizing charitable gifts made through estates, trusts, and payable-on-death accounts. We work directly with executors, trustees, and attorneys to resolve issues, advance matters, and ensure our clients receive the gifts to which they are entitled.

CCK Bequest is seeking an attorney with two to three years of trusts and estates litigation experience to join our team. This attorney will primarily represent nonprofit organizations in disputes arising from their status as beneficiaries of wills, trusts, and other planned gifts.

Working closely with senior attorneys, the attorney will assist in managing high-value matters and active disputes, from initial case assessment and document review through informal resolution, discovery, motion practice, mediation, hearings, and final resolution. The role will also involve overseeing local counsel when appropriate.

This position requires strong research, writing, analytical, and advocacy skills, as well as the ability to advise nonprofit clients on estate and trust administration issues that may create or affect litigation risk. A practical, solutions-oriented mindset is essential.

What You’ll Do:

• Represent national nonprofit organizations in probate and trust disputes, including: 

-Will and trust contests;

-Breach of fiduciary duty claims;

-Fiduciary removal, surcharge, and related proceedings; and

-Other contested matters affecting charitable gifts and beneficiary interests.

• Draft and review pleadings, motions, briefs, discovery requests and responses, mediation submissions, settlement documents, and related litigation materials.
• Conduct legal research and analyze issues involving probate procedure, trust administration, fiduciary duties, donor intent, and charitable beneficiary rights.
• Manage local counsel.
• Assist with document collection, review, analysis, production, and preparation for depositions, hearings, and mediations.
• Develop case assessments and contribute to litigation and resolution strategies.
• Appear in probate court for hearings, case management conferences, status conferences, and related proceedings.
• Represent clients in mediations, settlement conferences, and negotiations.
• Evaluate fiduciary conduct, accountings, proposed distributions, fees, expenses, and other matters affecting clients’ interests.
• Communicate with clients directly regarding case developments, litigation risks, strategic options, and recommended next steps.
• Coordinate with fiduciaries, opposing counsel, local counsel, and other participants in contested estate and trust matters.
• Manage court filings, discovery obligations, hearing dates, statutes of limitation, and other deadlines across an active caseload.
• Maintain accurate and organized matter records while protecting confidential and privileged information.

Requirements

•  Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school and active license and good standing in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• Experience in probate, trust, fiduciary, estate, or related civil litigation to include legal research, written advocacy, document review, discovery, motion practice, hearings, or dispute resolution.
• Excellent legal research, analytical, and writing skills.
• Ability to analyze complex legal instruments, financial records, and factual histories.
• Strong oral advocacy, negotiation, and professional communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple matters and deadlines in different jurisdictions.
• Sound judgment, attention to detail, and commitment to professional client service.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with senior attorneys and professional staff.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience drafting pleadings, motions, and briefs and appearing in court.
• Experience with mediation, settlement negotiations, depositions, or evidentiary hearings.
• Familiarity with fiduciary accountings and estate and trust administration.
• Experience representing beneficiaries, fiduciaries, or institutional clients.
• Experience coordinating matters with local counsel across multiple jurisdictions.

Additional Details:

• The position may require some travel (a few trips per year).
• This position will be based in our Providence, RI office

Compensation & Benefits:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage, including employer-paid medical insurance for employees
• Gym membership reimbursement
• 15 days of PTO (increasing with tenure) plus 12 paid company holidays in 2026
• 401k matching
• Paid Parental Leave

To apply to this position, please submit the following materials:

- Resume

- Cover Letter

- Writing Sample

CCK provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. 

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