Trusts and Estates Forum

[samdel]

Hello all,

I'm a 2LE student interested in Trusts and Estates work. Yes I know it can be boring but I've taken an interest. Any idea on options to get into a firm? Any internships that firms would value? Hopefully some people with a background in T&E can offer some advice..

PS Any idea on the salary of a Trusts and Estates Attorney in Boston

[Mick Haller]

You probably already know that this is a small firm line of work. A few midsize firms might have a couple of T&E specialists in case they get some high value estate litigation.

Try to get practical experience... Work at a estate planning firm for the summer. You might try clerking for a probate judge.

Small firm salaries probably start in the 45-60k range. A succesful practice could yield 100k+. It's hard to start your own practice and learn how to suck up to old folks... They are sometimes distrustful of young lawyers

[Anonymous User]

You probably already know that this is a small firm line of work. A few midsize firms might have a couple of T&E specialists in case they get some high value estate litigation.

Try to get practical experience... Work at a estate planning firm for the summer. You might try clerking for a probate judge.

Small firm salaries probably start in the 45-60k range. A succesful practice could yield 100k+. It's hard to start your own practice and learn how to suck up to old folks... They are sometimes distrustful of young lawyers

This is not really that accurate. Most V100 firms have T&E groups (Simpson, Cravath, McDermott, etc) that routinely hire associates.

That being said, if you are already a 2L, that ship has probably sailed.

[ruski]

most of the v100 will have a t&e practice, even if not advertised, including the v10. its a sweet gig. you get lockstep pay and bonus with everyone but you're out the door by 6 every night. partnership prospects are nonexistant though, still not a bad gig though.

the firm i summered at (vault), it was pretty easy to get into t&e, because although it was small no one wanted it. however telling firms from the outset you want to do t&e may not work out so well since it's a really small practice and they only have it so clients aren't taken away to other firms. obv the first thing you should do is target firms that are maybe more known for this (although i don't think thats any of the v100) but also maybe look for summer programs where they don't make you commit and then once you're in, try really hard to network with the t&e guys and try to score an offer from them. i know this isn't ideal but its the only way to do t&e and make 160k. if you only target the smaller firms you will be stuck making much less

[Anonymous User]

most of the v100 will have a t&e practice, even if not advertised, including the v10. its a sweet gig. you get lockstep pay and bonus with everyone but you're out the door by 6 every night. partnership prospects are nonexistant though, still not a bad gig though.

the firm i summered at (vault), it was pretty easy to get into t&e, because although it was small no one wanted it. however telling firms from the outset you want to do t&e may not work out so well since it's a really small practice and they only have it so clients aren't taken away to other firms. obv the first thing you should do is target firms that are maybe more known for this (although i don't think thats any of the v100) but also maybe look for summer programs where they don't make you commit and then once you're in, try really hard to network with the t&e guys and try to score an offer from them. i know this isn't ideal but its the only way to do t&e and make 160k. if you only target the smaller firms you will be stuck making much less

Few comments on this. Out by 6 is definitely not true for most T&E groups in big law. They certainly work less hours than their counterparts, but not by that much. As to no V100 firms focusing on T&E, at least 1, McDermott, puts a huge emphasis/actively seeks T&E people

[imchuckbass58]

most of the v100 will have a t&e practice, even if not advertised, including the v10. its a sweet gig. you get lockstep pay and bonus with everyone but you're out the door by 6 every night. partnership prospects are nonexistant though, still not a bad gig though.

Few comments on this. Out by 6 is definitely not true for most T&E groups in big law. They certainly work less hours than their counterparts, but not by that much. As to no V100 firms focusing on T&E, at least 1, McDermott, puts a huge emphasis/actively seeks T&E people

Yeah, T&E associates definitely are not out the door by 6. I would even say they work just as much as their counterparts in corporate and litigation, the main difference being their hours are both much more regular and you have more ability to choose when you work (outside of 9-5).

[samdel]

I am a second year evening student so the program I am in is a 4 year program, and therefore I will have the opportunity to pursue a SA next summer. I just hope to get some practical T&E experience clerking or working for a small firm. Thanks everyone for the informative responses