Associate Attorney

Job Description – Associate Attorney

Estate Planning, Tax & Corporate Law

Location: Livonia, MI

Position Type: Full-Time, On-Site

Practice Areas: Estate planning, trusts, tax, corporate and business law

Experience: 5+ years

Compensation Range: $120,000 - $200,000

About Us

At Apex Law, we’re redefining what it means to work at a boutique law firm. Founded in 2016 as part of the Apex Group, a multidisciplinary practice with a thriving accounting firm, we offer the best of both worlds: the personalized attention of a small firm and the resources of a larger organization.

Our unique structure allows seamless collaboration between accountants and legal professionals, giving our clients comprehensive solutions and giving our team exposure to a wide range of complex, rewarding work. With a growing client base of loyal individuals and businesses, we are committed to delivering the highest level of service while providing our team members the chance to build meaningful, lasting careers.

Why Join Us?

• Direct Impact: Work closely with firm leadership and clients, where your contributions are visible and valued.
• Growth Potential: We are an expanding practice. For the right person, this role offers a clear path to advanced responsibilities and potential leadership opportunities.
• Learning Environment: Access ongoing training in the latest legal regulations and technology, ensuring you stay ahead of the curve.
• Entrepreneurial Culture: Enjoy the freedom to self-lead, propose improvements and shape how we serve clients.

The Opportunity

Apex Law seeks an Associate Attorney with 5+ years of experience in estate planning, tax and corporate law to advise individuals, families and closely held businesses. The role carries substantial client responsibility.

You will handle legal matters from first client meeting through execution and administration, often working across disciplines for the same client: structuring a business, planning its succession, and designing estate plans that minimize the owners’ estate and income tax exposure.

Responsibilities

Estate Planning and Trusts

• Design and draft wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, pour-over wills, durable powers of attorney, patient advocate designations and other healthcare directives
• Develop advanced wealth-transfer strategies, including GRATs, ILITs, SLATs, QPRTs, dynasty trusts and charitable vehicles (CRTs, CLTs, private foundations).
• Prepare trust funding documents, including deeds, enhanced life estate (Lady Bird) deeds, assignments and beneficiary designation guidance.
• Draft trust amendments, restatements and decanting documents, and review and update existing plans as laws and family circumstances change.
• Advise on asset protection, special needs planning, blended-family planning and multigenerational planning.
• Handle trust and probate administration under the Michigan Estates and Protected Individuals Code (EPIC) and Michigan Trust Code, including fiduciary guidance, notices, inventories, accountings and estate settlement.
• Represent clients in Michigan probate court proceedings, including formal and informal probate, guardianships and conservatorships.

Corporate and Business

• Form and organize corporations, LLCs and partnerships under Michigan law, including filings with the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA).
• Draft operating agreements, partnership agreements, bylaws, shareholder agreements, resolutions and minutes, and advise on ongoing corporate governance and compliance.
• Structure buy-sell agreements and business succession plans tied to clients’ estate plans, including ownership transfers to family members and key employees.
• Advise on mergers, acquisitions, sales and restructurings of closely held businesses, including asset and stock purchase agreements, due diligence and closing documents.
• Handle entity conversions, mergers, dissolutions and changes in ownership.
• Draft and negotiate commercial contracts, including vendor and customer agreements, commercial leases, employment agreements, non-compete and confidentiality agreements.
• Provide general counsel support to business clients on day-to-day legal questions.

Client and Firm

• Serve as a primary point of contact for clients and manage a substantial caseload independently.
• Collaborate with Apex CPA on shared clients, aligning legal structures with tax preparation, Michigan Flow-Through Entity (FTE) elections and ongoing compliance.
• Supervise and mentor junior associates and paralegals.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Active bar admission in good standing in Michigan
• 5+ years of practice in estate planning, tax and/or corporate law, with meaningful experience in at least two of the three.
• Demonstrated drafting skill across trust instruments, entity documents and transactional agreements.
• Working knowledge of federal transfer tax rules and business entity taxation.
• Ability to manage a caseload independently, meet deadlines and exercise sound judgment.
• Clear communication with clients, including explaining complex tax concepts in plain language.

Preferred Qualifications

• LL.M. in Taxation or Estate Planning.
• Experience with high-net-worth individuals, family offices or closely held business owners.
• Experience working with valuation experts on business interests and estate planning matters.
• Experience with Michigan probate court practice.
• Familiarity with Clio (practice management and billing) and NetDocuments. Preferred, not required.

Benefits

We believe in supporting the well-being and professional growth of our team. Our benefits package includes:

• Healthcare, dental, and vision coverage
• Life insurance
• 401(k) with firm contribution
• Paid time off
• Continuing education and professional development support, including CLE costs and bar dues

How to Apply

If you’re looking for more than just a job and want a career where you can make an impact, grow your expertise, and help build a practice alongside a passionate team, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply today to join Apex Law and grow with us.

Job Type

Full-time

Pay: $120,000.00 - $200,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Ability to Relocate:

• Livonia, MI 48154: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Livonia, MI 48154