2026 Summer Associate – Estate Planning
About Us: Here at Relational Estate & Elder Law, we are passionate about bringing confidence and peace of mind about the future to residents in Winchester, Northern Virginia, and the Shenandoah Valley. Our team of legal professionals specializes in estate planning, elder planning, and estate administration, and we love to come alongside our clients as they seek to protect themselves, their families, and their assets. With the right legal documents, we help them create plans for the future that accomplish their goals and allow them to rest easy.
Description: We are looking for an Estate Planning Summer Associate to join our team. The Estate Planning Attorney Intern will assist in ensuring that our estate planning matters are processed correctly and promptly. Our clients are worried about their families and futures, and this position will be a key part in our mission of providing them with hope and peace of mind through Relational Estate Planning®.
Location: This internship will take place at our Winchester office with possible travel to our Ashburn office. Winchester, VA, offers a unique blend of small-town charm and rich history, making it an ideal place for interns seeking both professional growth and quality of life. Nestled in the scenic Shenandoah Valley, Winchester boasts a vibrant downtown area filled with local shops, cafes, and cultural events, all set against a backdrop of colonial architecture and Civil War landmarks. Plus, Winchester is just close enough to Washington, D.C. for an easy day trip—perfect for enjoying the nation's capital without the daily hustle. Nature lovers will also appreciate its proximity to stunning outdoor destinations: beautiful hikes and scenic drives in Shenandoah National Park, including the famed Skyline Drive, are just a short drive away.
What We Are Looking For: A detail-oriented, organized, and meticulous person who enjoys learning and will strive to meet our high standards for quality legal work.
Internship Benefits:
- Pay: 1Ls: $20-$23/hour
- Pay: 2Ls: $23-$25/hour
- Potential for academic credit (if available through your law school)
- Experience with law-specific technology, such as Clio and NetDocuments.
- Shadowing, mentoring, and training opportunities with our team
- Participate in client meetings and consultations
- Draft and revise legal documents such as contracts, wills, trusts, and more.
- Exposure to Relational Estate Planning®, where the goals are to help our clients protect and provide for their loved ones, avoid conflict, leave a legacy, preserve special memories, and ease burdens.
- Housing resources: We have housing information to help you relocate to Winchester for the summer.
Requirements:
- Currently attending law school as a 1L or 2L
- Familiarity with Westlaw
- Experience with Zoom
Job Responsibilities:
- Ensure clients move promptly through the Estate Planning Process.
- Ensure quality assurance on estate planning documents and client experience.
- Attend estate planning document review meetings.
- Manage revisions to the process for estate planning.
- Draft and/or revise estate planning documents, deeds, contracts, and/or corporate documents, as needed.
- Participate in Ashburn signings (if available).
- Shadow other team members in client meetings, client phone calls, and consultations.
- Assist other team members with keeping detailed records of meetings and other client interactions.
Necessary Skills:
- Detail-oriented, organized, competent, and efficient
- Self-motivated with strong time management ability
- Resourceful with an ability to problem-solve
- Trustworthy and reliable
- Friendly and professional verbal communicator
- Ability to write clearly, concisely, and with correct grammar
- Tech-savvy and quick to learn new concepts
- Able to multitask and handle multiple priorities
- Calm and empathetic demeanor in the face of client interactions
- Proactive and eager to assist other team members
- Excellent research and critical thinking skills
- Strong communication abilities
- Experience with Microsoft Office Suite or Google platforms
- Ability to take initiative and work independently