Compensation for this senior-level role will be discussed directly with the managing shareholder during the interview process. The firm offers a competitive base salary commensurate with 10-20 years of estate planning experience, plus an annual discretionary performance bonus and 401(k) with firm-contributed profit sharing. The managing shareholder is personally committed to getting compensation right for the right candidate and prefers a principal-to-principal conversation about the full package.
What we're looking for:
We need a senior estate planning attorney with 10-20 years of experience in sophisticated trust and estate planning who can step into an existing book of client relationships from a retiring shareholder. You should be comfortable managing complex high-net-worth estate/tax planning matters independently and have a track record of building strong client relationships. This is a succession hire with a real path to shareholder at a stable, collegial firm.
What you'll do:
- Take ownership of transitioning client relationships from a retiring shareholder, ensuring continuity of service and trust
- Handle sophisticated estate planning matters including complex trust structures, high-net-worth estate/tax planning, and estate and gift tax strategies
- Advise clients directly on trust and estate administration, business succession planning, and California property tax issues
- Mentor and develop junior associates in the estate planning practice group
- Draft advanced estate planning documents and manage client advisory relationships
- Collaborate with the managing shareholder and other senior attorneys to grow the practice area
Key Requirements:
- JD with active California State Bar membership required
- 10-20 years of estate planning experience at the senior associate, counsel, or shareholder level
- Substantial experience in sophisticated (not routine) estate planning matters
- No book of business required — the firm has the business ready to transition
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to absorb and retain transitioning client relationships
- LLM in Taxation preferred but not required
- Local to Southern California strongly preferred; relocation considered only for exceptional candidates
Why join Lewitt Hackman:
- Rare succession opportunity — inherit a real client book from a retiring shareholder, not a vague growth promise
- Direct path to shareholder: recent example of senior counsel promoted in 3-4 years
- Manageable billables (~1,600-1,800 hours/year) vs. BigLaw grind
- Merit-based, collegial culture with no yelling — senior attorneys are well-regarded and long-tenured
- Managing shareholder personally involved in the hiring process and invested in the right fit
- 401(k) with profit sharing (firm-contributed regardless of employee contribution)
- Hybrid flexibility develops after demonstrated fit; firm rewards attorneys who show up
Lewitt Hackman is an award-winning, full-service law firm established in 1969 in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles. For over 55 years, the firm has served clients across a broad range of practice areas including estate planning, trust and estate administration, corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, business and civil litigation, intellectual property, environmental law, employment, real estate, family law, health care, and tax planning.
The firm is financially strong with robust books of business and a solid client base that keeps attorneys consistently busy — in fact, the estate planning group is currently turning away work due to demand. Lewitt Hackman has built a strong reputation in the Southern California legal community for delivering sophisticated legal services while maintaining a genuinely collegial and supportive work environment.
Culture & Values:
- Collegial and respectful: The firm prides itself on being a genuinely nice place to work. Senior leadership sets the tone — there are no "yellers" and attorneys at all levels treat each other with professionalism and respect.
- Merit-based advancement: The firm recognizes and rewards talent. There are no artificial barriers to partnership — attorneys who perform and contribute are given real opportunities to advance to shareholder status. A recent senior counsel was promoted to shareholder in just 3-4 years.
- Work-life balance: While attorneys are expected to stay busy, the firm explicitly discourages burnout. Billable hours typically run 1,600-1,800 per year, well below BigLaw norms, with no formal billable floor in offer letters.
- Long-tenured professionals: Many attorneys and staff have been with the firm for years, reflecting a stable and satisfying work environment.
- Flexibility earned through trust: The firm values in-person collaboration initially, but attorneys who demonstrate fit enjoy significant flexibility in their schedules.
Team size
50 employeesFounded
Website
www.lewitthackman.com/Company locations
Lewitt Hackman is a place where attorneys genuinely enjoy working together. The firm's Executive Director, who has been with the firm for 10 years, describes the culture as one built on mutual respect and professionalism — starting from the managing shareholders down through every level of the organization.
What it's like to work here:
- No yellers, no egos: Senior leadership sets a collegial tone. Attorneys are described as "bright, brilliant, and nice people" who treat each other with genuine respect.
- Manageable workload: Billable hours average 1,600-1,800 per year — significantly below BigLaw expectations. The firm actively discourages burnout and doesn't impose a formal billable floor.
- Real growth opportunities: The firm is in "next generation" mode, with senior attorneys looking to step back and pass client relationships to emerging professionals. Promotion to shareholder is merit-based with no artificial barriers.
- Stability and longevity: Many attorneys and staff have been with the firm for years, reflecting a work environment that people genuinely want to stay in.
- Professional support: Associates receive legal assistant and paralegal support, with ratios varying by seniority and practice area needs.
The firm is actively building its next generation of leaders and looking for like-minded professionals who want to find a long-term home where they can grow their careers in a supportive, professional environment.