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Wills & Estates Litigation Associate

We are currently seeking a Wills & Estates lawyer to join our growing and highly regarded Wills & Estates team. The ideal candidate would possess exceptional relationship management skills and a strong business acumen. Our firm’s wills and estates group is a fast growing, fast moving and exciting practice. The candidate should be driven and motivated to support a large existing client base while also pursuing new client growth. They will benefit from mentorship and expertise in marketing and business development to help expand their business.

The selected candidate will join a highly motivated and determined team of lawyers passionate about estate law, increasing access to justice, and empowering communities through education. Led by partner Eleanor Carlson, TEP, the wills and estates group has seen significant growth and recognition in the past year, recently achieving a Tier 1 ranking in both the national and regional categories of The Best Law Firms in Canada, a publication by Best Lawyers.

About Carbert Waite LLP

We are a mid-size, litigation-focused firm offering services in commercial litigation, employment and labour law, health law, personal injury, estate litigation, and additional solicitor services in estate administration and planning. In 2024, we celebrated 25 years of dedicated service to the legal community and recently joined the prestigious Chambers & Partners ranking for our work in commercial litigation in Alberta.

Additionally, we are proud to have been ranked in the 2025 Canadian HR Reporter’s list of Best Places to Work in Canada for the third consecutive year. Companies are evaluated on key factors such as employee engagement, benefits, diversity initiatives, and workplace culture. We believe in the value of working hard for our clients while also recognizing the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance for our lawyers and staff.

Access to Justice & Community Involvement

Our wills and estates group is deeply committed to giving back to both the legal and broader communities in Calgary through a variety of initiatives throughout the year. In partnership with Pro Bono Law Alberta and the University of Calgary, the group participates in a wills clinic at Unison, located at the Kerby Centre, where our estate planning lawyers provide pro bono estate planning services to low-income seniors. The estate team also regularly presents at other non-profit organizations to educate Calgary’s communities on various estate law topics, ranging from broad overviews of estate planning essentials to more specialized subjects such as estate planning for families with dependents.

Carbert Waite’s wills and estates group also regularly speaks at conferences and panels for estate lawyers, both regionally and nationally, through their involvement with leading industry organizations, including the Canadian Bar Association, STEP Canada, and the Estate Planning Council of Canada. Our estate lawyers are also involved in the CBA Wills and Trust sections, both at the provincial and national levels.

Requirements:

  • Ability to provide superior client service with a client focused mindset;
  • Keen interest in litigating Will and Estate disputes;
  • Capability to work with clients and offer solutions that help their families through tough emotional times;
  • Willingness to handle a diverse caseload with variable options for areas of focus;
  • Aptitude to conduct legal research, analysis, and drafting of pleadings, motions, and other legal documents;  
  • Assists in drafting legal documents such as contracts, affidavits, statutory declarations, wills, personal healthcare directives, powers of attorney and representation agreements, business succession planning and estate administration including probate and intestacy;
  • Participates in mediations, negotiations, and court proceedings as required;
  • Collaborates with the senior lawyer and paralegals, as well as provide support as needed.

Qualifications:

  • Juris Doctor or law degree; in good standing to practice law in Alberta;
  • 3 to 5 years of litigation experience in the area of Wills and Estates;
  • Comfortable meeting with clients, with excellent writing skills and a strong work ethic;
  • Self-motivated, detail-oriented, entrepreneurial individual who has the ability to work independently as well as the desire to be in a team environment;
  • Ability to manage their own files and support a value-driven Wills & Estates practice.

Experience Considered an Asset:

  • Experience working on complex Wills and Estates matters;
  • Experience preparing Wills, Powers of Attorney and Personal Directives;
  • Experience advising executors in all aspects of Estate administration, including preparing and obtaining applications for certificates of appointment of estate trustee as well as dealing with all Estate related matters from start to finish;
  • Commercial litigation experience;
  • Portable book of business a strong asset, but not required.

Benefits

  • Health, dental and wellness benefits;
  • Short-term and long-term disability insurance;
  • Growth and development opportunities;
  • Mentorship and support;
  • Employee & Family Assistance Program;
  • Paid time off;
  • Flexible Health Spending allowance that covers much more than gym memberships!

How to Apply

Qualified candidates are invited to submit a cover letter, resume and copies of official post-secondary academic transcripts to the attention of Sarah Davidson – Human Resources Manager, at [email protected].