About the Firm
Perchstone & Graeys is a renowned and forward-thinking commercial law firm with a rich history of providing top-tier legal services to our clients within the global market. We take pride in our commitment to excellence, innovation, and fostering a collaborative work environment that encourages professional growth and development.
About the Role
As a Senior Associate specializing in Trust and Private Client matters, you will play a key role in providing comprehensive legal advice and support to high-net-worth individuals, families, trustees, and fiduciaries. You will be responsible for offering strategic guidance, managing trust and estate administration, and assisting clients with wealth preservation, estate and succession planning.
Location: Lagos, Nigeria
Key Responsibilities
1. Estate Planning and Wealth Structuring:
• Advise clients on sophisticated estate planning strategies to minimize tax liabilities, protect assets, and achieve their wealth transfer objectives.
• Draft and review wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and other estate planning documents tailored to clients’ unique circumstances and objectives.
• Structure and implement complex trust and corporate arrangements to facilitate the transfer and preservation of family wealth across generations.
2. Trust Administration and Fiduciary Services:
• Assist clients with trust administration matters, including trust accounting, asset management, beneficiary distributions, and compliance with fiduciary duties.
• Provide guidance on trustee selection, trust governance, and trust modifications or terminations as needed.
• Represent trustees and beneficiaries in trust disputes, litigation, and other contentious trust matters.
3. Tax Planning and Compliance:
• Analyze tax implications of estate planning and wealth transfer strategies, including income tax, gift tax, estate tax, and generation-skipping transfer tax considerations.
• Develop tax-efficient structures and strategies to optimize wealth preservation and transfer.
• Prepare and file tax returns, reports, and disclosures required for trusts, estates, and other entities.
4. Family Office Services:
• Advise family offices on governance structures, investment policies, succession planning, and risk management strategies.
• Assist with the establishment and operation of family offices, including regulatory compliance and coordination of professional advisors.
• Provide comprehensive legal support to family offices in managing their multi-generational wealth and philanthropic endeavors.
5. Client Relationship Management:
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, understanding their financial goals, family dynamics, and personal values.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to clients, providing proactive and responsive legal guidance tailored to their individual needs and circumstances.
• Manage client expectations, communicate effectively, and ensure high levels of client satisfaction through exceptional service delivery.
6. Team Collaboration and Development:
• Collaborate effectively with colleagues within the trust and estates practice group and across other practice areas to deliver integrated legal services to clients.
• Mentor and supervise junior associates, providing guidance, feedback, and professional development opportunities.
• Contribute to the firm’s thought leadership initiatives through writing articles, presenting at seminars, and participating in professional organizations.
Required Qualifications/Skills:
• Experience: Min of 9 Years Post Call, however applicants with 7-8 years post call with relevant advanced experience can apply
• Background: LLB, BL
• Technical skills: a deep understanding of estate planning, tax law, and fiduciary duties. They must have expertise in drafting and reviewing legal documents such as trusts, wills, and powers of attorney. They must also have strong analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills, as well as experience in representing clients in disputes related to trusts and estates.
• Soft skills: communication, attention to detail, leadership, confidentiality, professionalism
Benefits:
• Competitive salary structure.
• 13th Month
• Comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off.
• Opportunities for professional development and advancement within the firm.
• Collaborative and supportive work environment with a diverse team of legal professionals.
• Exposure to challenging and intellectually stimulating legal work with top-tier clients.