---
title: 'Private Client Services Associate at Barnes & Thornburg LLP'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/private-client-services-associate-barnes-thornburg-llp-indianapolis-vyp9h9cb3pnk'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-10-20'
---

# Private Client Services Associate at Barnes & Thornburg LLP

- **Company:** Barnes & Thornburg LLP
- **Location:** Indianapolis, IN
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Posted:** 2026-10-13
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-20
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/barnes/88a08af7-b9a7-4cd4-9a81-4ac091be4a2e

## Job description

Barnes & Thornburg LLP is seeking an associate attorney to join its Indianapolis office in the firm’s Private Client Services practice. The associate will work on sophisticated estate planning, trust and estate administration, and transfer tax matters for high-net-worth individuals, families, business owners, executives, and fiduciaries within a collaborative AmLaw 100 platform. The Private Client Services Group handles complex estate planning, wealth preservation, wealth transfer, charitable planning, and related tax matters for high-net-worth individuals, families, business owners, and closely held businesses. The practice offers a collegial, team-oriented environment with meaningful mentorship, professional development, client contact, and opportunities to collaborate with attorneys across multiple offices. Attorneys work closely with colleagues, clients, and their advisors to develop customized strategies that preserve wealth, accomplish family and business objectives, and address complex tax and succession issues. Matters may include probate, business succession planning, family governance, and related tax-driven planning; responsibility and client ownership will be tailored to the associate’s experience level. This position is open to licensed attorneys at all experience levels, from junior through senior associates. Current law students, including 3Ls, are not eligible for this role. The position is based in our Indianapolis office, and in-person presence is preferred to support collaboration, mentorship, and exceptional client service. We are open to discussing alternative work arrangements for the right candidate.

## Responsibilities

- Advise clients on estate planning, wealth preservation, and wealth transfer strategies, with responsibility scaled to the associate’s experience level
- Draft wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, powers of attorney, advance directives, and other estate planning documents
- Assist with trust and estate administration, including probate proceedings and filings, asset transfers, fiduciary communications, and account administration
- Prepare and review estate, gift, and fiduciary income tax filings; assist with audits and other tax-related matters; and stay current on relevant tax laws, estate planning strategies, and industry developments
- Conduct legal research and draft memoranda on tax, probate, trust administration, and other private wealth issues
- Participate in client meetings and develop tailored planning strategies, including business succession, family governance, and related tax considerations
- Collaborate with attorneys across corporate, real estate, and other practice areas, as well as the broader Private Client Services Group, to deliver coordinated, high-quality counsel

## Qualifications

- J.D. from an accredited law school with strong academic credentials
- Strong work ethic, initiative, and commitment to delivering outstanding client service
- Relevant experience or demonstrated interest in estate planning, tax, private wealth, or related areas, including through internships, externships, coursework, or post-graduation work; experience is preferred but not required for junior candidates
- Experience working with high-net-worth individuals, families, fiduciaries, executives, or closely held business owners preferred
- Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and build strong relationships with colleagues and clients
- Strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to explain complex legal and tax concepts clearly and effectively
- Strong drafting, analytical, and client counseling skills, along with excellent judgment, attention to detail, and the ability to produce high-quality work and meet deadlines
- Indiana bar admission, or eligibility to obtain admission promptly after hire

About the Firm: Barnes & Thornburg LLP is an AmLaw 100 firm with 26 offices. The firm and our Private Client Services Group have an exceptional reputation for having an inclusive, collegial, and supportive atmosphere, where members of the firm can thrive, learn, and advance in their career.

We will not consider resumes submitted by external agencies or recruiters for this position. Recruiters and agencies will not be compensated for assisting Barnes & Thornburg LLP in recruiting for this position, regardless of whether such party has a recruiting contract with us.

Equal Employment and Opportunity Statement: Barnes & Thornburg is committed to equal employment opportunity in both principle and as a matter of policy. We will recruit, hire, train, promote, compensate and provide benefits to all applicants and employees without regard to ancestry, sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, gender, age, religion, religious creed, mental and/or physical disability, medical condition, military and/or veteran’s status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state and local laws. This policy applies to all recruiting, hiring, promotions, upgrades, layoffs, compensation, benefits, terminations and all other privileges, terms and conditions of employment. The firm complies fully with all federal, state and local equal employment opportunity laws.

## About Barnes & Thornburg LLP

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Barnes & Thornburg LLP is a large, full-service U.S. law firm providing legal services across more than 50 practice areas to clients ranging from Fortune 500 corporations to entrepreneurial growth companies.
- **Entity Type**: Private (LLP / Partnership)
- **Headquarters**: Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
- **Founded**: Not publicly available
- **Founders**: Not publicly available

## Core Business
- **Primary industry/industries**: Legal Services
- **Target customers**: B2B – Fortune 500 corporations, middle-market companies, entrepreneurial growth companies, and government entities.
- **Mission or purpose statement**: “We don’t just grow, we thrive. From day one, you’ll have access to industry-leading support, tools and training, all tailored to meet your needs today — and propel you where you want to go tomorrow.” (from careers page)

## Products & Services
- **[Full-Service Legal Counsel]**: Representation in over 50 practice areas including litigation, labor and employment, intellectual property, corporate, health care, real estate, energy, white collar crime, life sciences, and finance/restructuring.
- **[Client-Focused Platform]**: Customizable rate-setting, origination credit policies, and dedicated business development/marketing teams to help partners grow their practices.
- **[Career Development Programs]**: Structured training for lawyers at every level – BTLaw Academy (junior associates), Pathway to Partnership (mid-to-senior lawyers), and Partner Development Series.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not applicable (private partnership)
- **Key Metric**: Employs more than 700 attorneys and other legal professionals; specifically 772 lawyers (including 481 partners) across 24 U.S. offices.
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Not applicable (law firm partnership). No external investors listed.
- **Growth Signals**: Consistent growth trajectory with a lateral retention rate “high above industry average.” Recent expansion of practices in private equity, funds, Latin America, and securities regulation. 24 offices nationwide.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Transparent Partnership Path**: More partners than associates, with clear benchmarks and a structured process to capital partnership.
- **Collaborative Compensation Culture**: Origination credit that recognizes contributions from day one; team success valued over individual tallies.
- **Small-Firm Feel, National Reach**: Despite having 24 offices, the firm emphasizes cross-office collaboration and a collegial environment where individual ideas matter.
- **High Lateral Retention**: Strong integration support and technology infrastructure for seamless moves.

## Strategic Focus
- **Practice Expansion**: Actively building teams in high-growth areas such as private equity, funds, Latin America, and securities regulation.
- **Talent Development**: Investing in formal mentorship, sponsorship (Project Keymaker), and twice-yearly performance evaluations to grow lawyers internally.
- **Client Service**: Maintaining a clients-first culture that prioritizes service and agility in a changing business landscape.

## Why Work Here
- **Career Growth**: Accelerated path to partnership, alternative career paths for those not seeking partnership, and clear compensation structures at every level.
- **Training & Mentorship**: Robust programs like BTLaw Academy, Pathway to Partnership, and one-on-one coaching for legal writing, communication, and time management.
- **Culture**: Described as a workplace that values individuals, not just credentials. Lawyers have a voice through the Legal Talent Development Committee and Associate Committee.
- **Work Environment**: In-office presence expected (multiple U.S. office locations). Hybrid/remote policy not specified; likely office-centric with some flexibility.
- **Notable Perks**: Dedicated business development and marketing support, customizable rate-setting, and a collaborative compensation model that rewards team success.

## Sources
1. [btlaw.com – Careers Overview](https://btlaw.com/en/careers)
2. [btlaw.com – Lawyers & Legal Professionals Careers](https://btlaw.com/en/careers/lawyers)
3. [U.S. News – Barnes & Thornburg LLP Profile](https://law.usnews.com/law-firms/barnes-&-thornburg-llp-613)
4. [jobs.ashbyhq.com – Barnes & Thornburg Jobs](https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/barnes)

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