Turn Obstacles Into Opportunities

Turn Obstacles Into Opportunities

At Goetz Platzer, we empower our clients to cut through complexity and make informed, fearless decisions that turn obstacles into opportunities. Our newly expanded firm brings together decades of experience across construction law, finance, real estate, commercial litigation, bankruptcy, and trusts and estates. We’re seeking experienced Trust and Estates Attorneys with exceptional drafting and planning skills to help grow our thriving practice, at both the 3-5 year and 7-10 year levels.

Who We Are

Formed through the January 2025 merger of two storied boutique firms, Goetz Platzer doubled in size to 40 attorneys, propelling growth and collaboration across our core practice areas. Our firm culture is built on our TIER values—Teamwork, Integrity, Excellence, and Respect. We approach each case as unique, leveraging our diverse experience and skill sets to achieve the best possible outcomes for our clients.

The Role

As a Trust and Estates Attorney at Goetz Platzer, you’ll become an integral part of our clients’ advisory team, helping them navigate life’s most important transitions and protect what matters most. Your document drafting expertise will be the cornerstone of our service to clients of all asset levels, from those needing straightforward wills to high-net-worth families requiring sophisticated trust arrangements.

Key Responsibilities:

• Draft comprehensive estate planning documents across the full spectrum of complexity—from simple wills to intricate multi-generational trusts
• Create customized trust agreements including revocable living trusts, irrevocable life insurance trusts, grantor retained annuity trusts, and charitable remainder trusts
• Develop specialized documents for wealth preservation, tax minimization, and asset protection
• Draft powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and living wills to complete comprehensive estate plans
• Guide clients through document review and execution processes
• Guide fiduciaries through probate and trust administration
• Prepare estate and gift tax returns in coordination with tax professionals
• Collaborate with our business attorneys on succession planning document creation
• Collaborate with team attorneys and paralegals in drafting techniques and document preparation to meet client objectives

Qualifications:

• JD degree from an accredited law school and admission in good standing in New York State
• Experience in Trusts and Estates law with strong drafting experience and client collaboration to elicit key facts
• Strong technical knowledge of state and federal laws applicable to estate planning
• Ability to leverage technology to work efficiently and effectively without sacrificing quality of work
• Superior attention to detail and document preparation skills
• Excellence in client service and communication
• Ability to build and maintain client relationships
• Commitment to our TIER values and collaborative approach

Why Join Us?

While the work of Goetz Platzer has been recognized by several prestigious legal industry organizations, we’re not out to line our walls with trophies. We measure our success by the successful outcomes we achieve for our clients and the growth opportunities we create for our team members.

When you join the Trusts & Estates Team at Goetz Platzer, you’ll experience:

• A collegial, supportive environment where excellence is expected and celebrated
• Sophisticated and challenging work
• Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits
• Professional development opportunities and mentorship
• Work-life balance that respects your time and wellbeing
• Manhattan location with modern amenities

How to Apply

If you’re ready to take your Trusts and Estates practice to the next level with a firm that values your expertise and contributions, we want to hear from you. Please submit your resume, cover letter, and any relevant certifications to [email protected].

Goetz Platzer is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Goetz Platzer LLP | Midtown Manhattan

Goetz Platzer empowers its clients to cut through complexity and make informed, fearless decisions that turn obstacles into opportunities. Our newly expanded firm brings together decades of experience across multiple practice areas. We’re seeking an experienced Partner to contribute to our growing Trusts & Estates practice from our Midtown Manhattan office.

Lead Our Trusts & Estates Team

Our ideal candidate is a seasoned Trusts & Estates attorney who excels both as a practitioner and as a leader. In this role, you’ll work with the Practice Lead help grow the planning and administration aspects of our Trusts & Estates and Fiduciary Litigation Group with a dedicated team while managing client relationships and driving practice growth. You’ll help ensure exceptional service delivery while mentoring the next generation of T&E attorneys at our firm.

At Goetz Platzer, our core values are TIER: Teamwork, Integrity, Excellence, and Respect. Our TIER values guide our work and interactions with clients, colleagues, and the community. As a Partner, you’ll embody these values as you work with the Practice Lead and serve the Firm’s and your own clients.

Leadership Responsibilities

Practice Management & Development

• Help the Practice Lead grow the Trusts & Estates practice, and develop junior and mid-level associates
• Establish efficient workflows and quality control measures for document preparation and client service
• Collaborate with firm leadership on strategic planning and cross-practice opportunities
• Maintain and expand client relationships while developing new business
• Serve as a subject matter expert on complex estate planning matters

Client Service Excellence

• Provide sophisticated estate planning solutions for clients across diverse asset levels
• Oversee trust and estate administration matters, ensuring timely and accurate service
• Design and implement tax-efficient wealth transfer strategies
• Guide clients through complex family dynamics and multi-generational planning
• Collaborate with other practice areas to deliver integrated solutions

Team Leadership & Mentorship

• Supervise, train, and mentor junior and mid-level associates in substantive law and client service
• Delegate and monitor work assignments to maximize efficiency and attorney development
• Provide constructive feedback and guidance to team members
• Foster a collaborative, supportive work environment aligned with our TIER values
• Help identify and recruit talent to support practice growth

Qualifications & Experience

Required

• JD from an accredited law school with admission in good standing in New York State
• 10+ years of experience in Trusts & Estates practice
• Extensive experience drafting complex estate planning documents
• Strong knowledge of trust administration and fiduciary matters
• Proven client relationship management skills with the ability to maintain long-term client relationships
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational abilities

Preferred

• Portable book of business ($500K+), though exceptional candidates without a book will be considered

Our Midtown Manhattan Location

Our office at One Penn Plaza offers unparalleled convenience in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, accessible by all major subway lines. This central location allows us to serve clients throughout the New York metropolitan area while providing our team members with an easy commute from anywhere in the region.

Why Join Goetz Platzer?

We provide practical and strategic advice tailored to meet each client’s individual needs, whether a business or individual. We approach each case as unique, leveraging our colleagues’ diversified experience, background, and skill set to achieve the best possible outcome.

As a Partner in our Trusts & Estates practice, you’ll enjoy:

• Autonomy to shape and grow your practice within a supportive environment
• Collaborative culture with access to resources across practice areas
• Competitive compensation structure aligned with your contributions
• Sophisticated client base with diverse planning needs
• Professional development opportunities for you and your team
• Modern, well-appointed offices in a prime location

Application Process

If you’re ready to lead a dynamic Trusts & Estates practice at a growing firm committed to excellence, we invite you to apply. Please submit your resume, cover letter, and a description of your current practice to [email protected].

All inquiries will be kept strictly confidential. We look forward to learning how your leadership could help shape the future of Goetz Platzer’s Trusts & Estates practice.

About Us

At Goetz Platzer, we empower our clients to cut through complexity and make informed, fearless decisions that turn obstacles into opportunities. Our newly expanded firm brings together decades of experience across construction law, finance, real estate, commercial litigation, bankruptcy, and trusts and estates.  We’ve expanded our capabilities to 40 attorneys while maintaining our boutique firm feel. Our TIER values—Teamwork, Integrity, Excellence, and Respect—guide everything we do.

Our thriving Trusts and Estates practice seeks an experienced paralegal to support our attorneys and serve as a key client relationship manager from our One Penn Plaza location in Manhattan.

Your Impact

As a Trusts & Estates Paralegal, you’ll serve as a point of contact for the clients from intake to signing, while supporting our attorneys with servicing the clients’ matters.  You’ll manage client relationships, facilitate communication with supervising attorneys, generate critical documents for attorney review, assist with Surrogate’s Court filings, and ensure all clients receive exceptional service throughout the estate planning and administration process.

What You’ll Do

• Serve as the primary point of contact for clients, building strong relationships and managing communications
• Prepare estate planning documents including wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives
• Coordinate document execution meetings and ensure proper execution of all documents
• Prepare petitions for probate and administration and handle Surrogate’s Court filings
• Assist with trust funding, asset transfers, and estate accountings
• Maintain organized client files and manage the client portfolio
• Track deadlines, maintain calendars, and ensure timely completion of all matters
• Work collaboratively with attorneys and staff across practice areas

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor’s degree required; paralegal certificate preferred
• 5+ years of experience as a paralegal in a law firm
• Full proficiency with MS Office (particularly Outlook and Word) and Nitro/Adobe
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with proven ability to build client relationships
• Strong organizational abilities and meticulous attention to detail
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to leverage technology to promote efficiency without sacrificing quality
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion
• Previous trusts and estates experience highly desirable

Why Goetz Platzer?

• Client-focused, collaborative environment where your contributions are valued
• Opportunity to work with sophisticated clients on matters of varying complexity
• Competitive salary (starting at $88,000+ depending on experience) and comprehensive benefits
• Professional development and mentorship
• Work-life balance in a collegial atmosphere
• Prime Midtown Manhattan location

Submit your resume and cover letter to [email protected] with the subject line “Trusts & Estates Paralegal Application.”

Goetz Platzer is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.