Associate Attorney — Transactional Law
Summit Law PLLC, a Grand Rapids, Michigan law firm, is seeking an associate attorney to join its busy estate planning and administration, business law, and real estate practice.
This position is best suited for an attorney with approximately 1–7 years of experience who enjoys variety, values client relationships, and seeks meaningful responsibility in a small-firm environment.
No existing book of business is required. We have substantial client work available, established referral relationships, and opportunities to develop additional referral sources. We are seeking an attorney who wants to build a long-term practice.
About the Role
The associate attorney will handle client matters independently while also working collaboratively with senior attorneys on more complex matters. Associates will be expected to take ownership of client matters and develop increasing responsibility as their experience and judgment grow.
Responsibilities may include:
- Meeting with clients regarding estate planning, probate, trust administration, and related matters
- Drafting estate planning documents, including wills, revocable trusts, powers of attorney, patient advocate designations, deeds, assignments, and related planning documents
- Handling probate estate and trust administration matters, including court filings, notices, inventories, accountings, petitions, and related correspondence
- Advising clients on beneficiary designations, asset titling, funding issues, fiduciary duties, and post-death administration
- Managing client matters from intake through completion, including regular client communication and deadline management
- Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating business agreements, purchase agreements, operating agreements, buy-sell agreements, and other transactional documents
- Assisting with business formations, business succession planning, mergers and acquisitions, and commercial transactions
- Supporting residential and commercial real estate matters, including purchase agreements, leases, easements, deeds, title review, and closing-related documents
- Conducting legal research and preparing memoranda, correspondence, and other written work
- Maintaining accurate time records, managing matter budgets, and using practice management tools efficiently
- Maintaining attorney-client privilege and exercising sound judgment with confidential and sensitive information
Qualifications
The ideal candidate will have:
- Admission to the Michigan Bar and good standing with the State Bar of Michigan
- Strong interest or experience in estate planning, probate administration, trust administration, business law, real estate, or related transactional practice
- Excellent client communication and counseling skills
- Exceptional attention to detail and strong drafting, reviewing, and analytical skills
- Strong legal research and writing skills
- Sound legal judgment and ability to identify issues and propose practical solutions
- A methodical, organized, and efficient work style
- Ability to independently manage a diverse workload, juggle competing deadlines, and shift between practice areas without losing focus or accuracy
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with attorneys and staff
- Comfort using technology and practice management tools to work efficiently
Preferred Experience
Helpful but not required:
- Experience with estate planning, probate administration, and trust administration
- Experience with business entity formations, mergers and acquisitions, commercial transactions, or business succession planning
- Experience negotiating and closing business or real estate transactions
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Clio, and other legal software and resources
Why Summit Law?
Summit Law is a growing Grand Rapids law firm focused on estate planning, probate and trust administration, business law, mergers and acquisitions, and real estate transactions. We serve families, business owners, investors, and fiduciaries throughout West Michigan and beyond.
Associates receive meaningful responsibility, direct client contact, and practical mentorship designed to help them build confidence, judgment, and real-world legal skills. As attorneys grow, they are encouraged to manage client relationships independently and develop the communication and counseling skills needed for long-term success.
We take client service seriously and work hard to provide practical, high-quality legal advice. We believe attorneys perform their best when they can build successful careers while maintaining the things that matter most outside the office.
This position offers the opportunity to build a sophisticated practice in a collaborative environment that emphasizes professional growth, long-term career development, and practical problem-solving for families and business owners.
Position Details
- Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Position Type: Full-time
- Experience Level: Approximately 1–7 years
- Primary Practice Areas: Estate planning, probate estate administration, trust administration, business succession planning, business transactions, and real estate
Benefits:
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Retirement plan
Work Location: In person
