Associate Attorney
Scottsdale, Arizona | Full-Time
Salary: $120,000 - $160,000 plus Bonus
Appellate-Level Research & Writing | Specialized Practice | Real Career Growth
If you want your written work to shape the law rather than sit in a file, this is that opportunity. A substantial part of this role is sophisticated legal research and brief writing, including appellate briefing before the Arizona Court of Appeals and the Arizona Supreme Court.
Berk Law Group, P.C. is an AV-rated, highly respected firm located off Loop 101 and Raintree Drive in Scottsdale, Arizona. The firm focuses exclusively on probate, trust, estate, and inheritance litigation, including guardianships, conservatorships, estate and trust disputes, elder abuse, neglect and exploitation, powers of attorney, and burial and disposition of remains. Known for integrity, professionalism, and results, the team is close-knit, collaborative, and mission-driven.
This is a long-term platform role, not a stepping stone. The firm invests in mentorship from seasoned probate litigators and offers a clear path toward senior associate and shareholder.
About the Role
You will carry real research and writing responsibility from the start. Much of the work involves unsettled questions under A.R.S. Titles 14, 36, and 46, where the authority is thin and the analysis matters. You will draft appellate briefs, dispositive motions, and trial memoranda on matters that reach Arizona’s highest courts, and you will see your written work argued.
Alongside that, you will take on meaningful client and case responsibility: depositions, hearings, mediations, and direct client contact in emotionally complex, high-stakes disputes. Direct probate, trust, or estate litigation experience is preferred, but attorneys from civil litigation, commercial, real estate, or contract backgrounds with demonstrated research and writing ability are strongly encouraged to apply.
Key Responsibilities
Research and writing:
- Conduct in-depth legal research on complex and often unsettled questions of Arizona probate, trust, and fiduciary law
- Draft appellate briefs, petitions for review, and responses for the Arizona Court of Appeals and Arizona Supreme Court
- Prepare dispositive motions, trial memoranda, and substantive legal analysis on high-stakes disputes
- Translate dense factual records and difficult family dynamics into clear, persuasive written advocacy
- Draft and respond to pleadings, motions, discovery, subpoenas, and other court filings
Litigation and client work:
- Represent beneficiaries, personal representatives, trustees, fiduciaries, and other parties in probate, trust, estate, guardianship, conservatorship, and inheritance disputes
- Handle matters involving fiduciary misconduct, will and trust contests, elder abuse, financial exploitation, powers of attorney, and related litigation
- Participate in hearings, depositions, mediations, settlement discussions, trials, and appeals
- Evaluate cases, identify risks, and help develop litigation strategy
- Communicate with clients clearly and professionally about status, strategy, deadlines, and next steps
- Collaborate with attorneys and staff while taking increasing ownership of assigned matters
Requirements
Experience and background:
- At least 2 years of experience in litigation, probate, or estate planning
- Demonstrated excellence in legal research and written advocacy. Appellate briefing experience, a judicial clerkship, law review or journal membership, moot court, or comparable writing credentials are strongly preferred
- Experience with probate, trust, estate, elder law, guardianship, conservatorship, or inheritance matters is strongly preferred
- Civil litigation experience in commercial, real estate, contract, or tax litigation will be considered when paired with strong research and writing ability and genuine interest in probate and trust litigation
- Estate planning experience will be considered for candidates who understand estate structures, trust planning, fiduciary roles, and asset transfer issues
Must-haves:
- Active license in good standing to practice law in Arizona
- Command of legal research platforms and the ability to build an argument where authority is sparse or unsettled
- Strong oral advocacy skills and courtroom presence
- Professional judgment, organization, and attention to detail
- Ability to work with clients facing sensitive, emotional, and high-stakes disputes
- Interest in building a long-term practice in a specialized area, not a short-term stop
Why This Role Stands Out
- Substantive appellate and motion work early in your career, on issues that reach the Arizona Supreme Court
- Focused probate, trust, estate, and inheritance litigation practice
- Meaningful client work involving complex family, fiduciary, and financial issues
- Hands-on litigation experience with direct mentorship from seasoned litigators
- Collaborative, close-knit team environment
- Clear growth path toward senior associate and shareholder
Benefits
Compensation and Benefits
- Salary: $120,000 - $160,000, commensurate with experience
- Bonus structure based on originations, productivity, profitability, and overall firm contributions
- 401(k) with employer match and profit sharing
- Health, dental, vision, and life insurance
- Firm credit card for approved business expenses
- Paid bar dues and CLE support
- Generous paid time off and parental leave
- Flexible schedule with some remote work potential
- Strong training, mentorship, and professional development support
How to Apply
Please submit your resume for confidential consideration, along with:
- A brief cover letter describing your interest in the role and how your experience aligns
We appreciate the time and thought you invest in your application and look forward to connecting with attorneys ready to bring their research, writing, and litigation experience into a meaningful probate and trust litigation practice.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Berk Law Group, P.C. is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.