Trust & Estate Litigation - Private Wealth Disputes Senior Attorney (OC)
Orange County, CA
$235,000 - $300,000
Our client is a disputes-focused boutique devoted entirely to contested private wealth matters. Their practice covers trust disputes, estate contests, undue influence, fiduciary misconduct, conservatorships, and financial elder abuse. They represent beneficiaries, heirs, trustees, executors, conservators, professional fiduciaries, and families with significant assets and legacies at stake.
Our client is seeking a Senior Attorney to lead complex matters from their Orange County office, mentor developing lawyers, and help build the practice that sophisticated local clients and referral sources call first. You will have meaningful authority over matters and client relationships, access to firm leadership, firm-generated work, centralized infrastructure, and dedicated business-development support. A portable book of business is not required, though relationship development is expected at the senior level.
You will take ownership of matter strategy, serve as the primary point of contact for clients navigating high-stakes disputes, and draft or supervise major briefs, pleadings, and depositions. You will argue substantive motions and lead mediation, hearing, and trial preparation. You will manage case teams by delegating work, reviewing output, and developing junior lawyers. You will also manage matter economics including scope, staffing, budgets, and collections. Beyond individual matters, you will contribute to practice development through speaking, authorship, and community engagement, and to firm-building through training and knowledge sharing.
The ideal candidate is an active member in good standing of the California Bar with at least five years of civil litigation experience, including at least two years in contested trusts, estates, probate, conservatorships, financial elder abuse, or related fiduciary matters. You have a demonstrated record of developing strategy, supervising significant law-and-motion work, taking or defending depositions, and preparing matters for mediation, hearing, or trial. You make sound decisions with incomplete information and communicate practical recommendations rather than simply cataloging issues. You lead with confidence, delegate without abdication, and hold people accountable while helping them grow. Comfortable working regularly from the Costa Mesa office is expected.
Our client offers a clearly defined advancement path from Senior Attorney to Managing Attorney to Income Partner to Equity Partner, tied to written expectations around legal product, client service, leadership, and business development. Exceptional candidates already operating at a managing attorney or partner-equivalent level may be considered for a separately structured opportunity.
The base salary for this role is $235,000 to $300,000, depending on experience and internal equity, plus annual performance-based bonus eligibility. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) with firm contribution, flexible paid time off, parental and sick leave, paid parking, and professional development support. This is a full-time, office-forward position based in Costa Mesa. It is not a fully remote role.
August 6, 2026