Laird Norton Wetherby · 18 hours ago
Senior Counsel
Seattle, WA
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level, Lead/Staff
$225K/yr - $275K/yr
8+ years expLaird Norton Wetherby is seeking a Senior Counsel to join their team as the primary lawyer for their trust company and registered investment adviser businesses. The role involves advising on trust administration, managing litigation, supporting compliance, and counseling business leaders on various legal matters.
Asset ManagementFinancial ServicesWealth Management
Responsibilities
Partner with the Client Services team to navigate client concerns and other sensitive relationship issues, providing practical guidance that protects both the client and the firm
Advise the Compliance team on policy development, regulatory interpretation, and the practical application of investment adviser and trust company regulations
Counsel department leaders across the organization on contracts, vendor relationships, and commercial disputes, negotiating terms and resolving issues efficiently
Review trust documents as part of new client diligence to assess whether the company can effectively administer the proposed arrangement; identify and help resolve operational, legal, or fiduciary concerns prior to acceptance
Evaluate proposed trust amendments, decanting requests, and other modifications to existing trusts, advising on legal implications and administrative feasibility
Serve as a resource on trust interpretation questions, beneficiary disputes, and fiduciary decision-making
Manage all aspects of litigation, including coordinating with outside counsel, developing case strategy, overseeing discovery, and advising leadership on risk exposure and settlement considerations
Respond to subpoenas, regulatory inquiries, and third-party information requests, balancing legal obligations with business impact and client confidentiality
Handle pre-litigation disputes, demand letters, and escalated client complaints with the ability to guide issues toward early resolution where appropriate
Develop working knowledge of adjacent legal areas—including employment, insurance, corporate governance, and securities—to provide first-line guidance and triage issues appropriately
Identify when matters require specialized outside counsel and manage those relationships effectively
Contribute to the development of internal processes, templates, and training that reduce legal friction and empower business teams to operate confidently
Qualification
Required
J.D. from an accredited law school and active bar membership in good standing (admission in Washington or eligibility for prompt admission required)
8+ years of legal experience (although we will consider candidates with fewer years who demonstrate exceptional depth, range, and maturity of judgment)
Strong background in either trust and estate law or commercial litigation strongly preferred; experience in financial services or with regulated entities is a plus
Demonstrated ability—and genuine willingness—to learn new practices, move beyond your core expertise, and take on new responsibilities as business needs require
You think through problems from beginning to end, considering second-order effects, stakeholder perspectives, and practical implementation before offering a recommendation
You are comfortable operating in ambiguity and can make reasoned decisions (and then own them) when the answer is not obvious, the precedent is thin, or reasonable minds could differ
You distinguish between risks that matter and risks that don't, and you can articulate why a particular course of action is reasonable even when it is not risk-free
You manage your work autonomously, driving matters to conclusion with minimal oversight
You proactively identify issues, surface them early, and propose solutions rather than waiting to be asked
You are resourceful: when you encounter an unfamiliar area, you research it, consult appropriately, and develop an informed point of view rather than declaring it outside your expertise
You are willing to deliver difficult messages when needed—to colleagues, leadership, and clients—and can handle difficult conversations with professionalism and composure
You view your role as helping the business achieve its objectives within appropriate guardrails, and welcome 'why' questions from your business partners
You accept responsibility when things go sideways rather than deflecting to others
You have excellent interpersonal and communication skills as evidenced by the ability to professionally and effectively interact with clients and co-workers and contribute to a respectful work environment
You build credibility with business partners by being responsive, practical, and genuinely helpful
You communicate legal concepts clearly to non-lawyers, translating complexity into actionable guidance
You are willing to roll up your sleeves and do what needs to be done, regardless of whether it falls neatly within your job description or seems below your skill or experience level
You perform consistently under pressure and can manage competing priorities without sacrificing quality
You bring energy and a sense of ownership to your work— you care about outcomes, not just activity
Candidates must meet all employment qualifications in force at time of hiring, including successful passing of background & credit checks and any pre-employment examinations, signing of all employee agreements, and can perform the essential functions, duties and responsibilities set forth in a consistent and efficient manner
Preferred
Strong background in either trust and estate law or commercial litigation strongly preferred; experience in financial services or with regulated entities is a plus
Benefits
Medical, dental and vision coverage
Generous time off (including sabbaticals)
Flexible spending plans for health care and dependent care
401(k) plan
Educational reimbursements
Company
Laird Norton Wetherby
Laird Norton Wetherby offers wealth management and trust services for individuals and families with significant wealth.
51-200 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageLeadership Team
Kristen Bauer
Chief Executive Officer
Company data provided by crunchbase