Senior Compensation & Benefits Attorney (Qualified Plans)

Direct Counsel

Chicago, IL, USA

Published: 6/14/2022

Legal

Full Time

Job Description

Direct Counsel is seeking a Senior Compensation & Benefits Attorney to join a prestigious Am Law 100 law firmwith a nationally recognized Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation practice.

This opportunity is ideal for an experienced benefits attorney with significant expertise advising clients on tax-qualified retirement plans, health and welfare plans, ERISA compliance, and employee benefits issues arising in corporate transactions.

About the Role

The firm's Compensation & Benefits group advises public and private companies, private equity sponsors, fiduciaries, plan sponsors, and financial institutions on a broad range of employee benefits, executive compensation, and ERISA-related matters.

Attorneys in this role will work on sophisticated matters involving:

Tax-qualified retirement plans
Defined contribution and defined benefit plans
Health and welfare benefit plans
ERISA compliance and fiduciary matters
Employee benefits aspects of mergers, acquisitions, and corporate transactions
Plan design, implementation, and administration
Regulatory compliance and risk management
Benefits-related due diligence
Government audits, investigations, and correction programs
Executive compensation and related advisory matters

This position offers substantial client interaction and the opportunity to advise on complex benefits issues across a variety of industries and transaction types.

Responsibilities

Key responsibilities include:

Advising clients on the design, implementation, and administration of qualified retirement and welfare benefit plans.
Counseling employers and plan fiduciaries regarding ERISA compliance requirements.
Drafting and revising plan documents, participant disclosures, amendments, and related materials.
Assisting clients with compliance testing and operational compliance matters.
Advising on IRS and Department of Labor filings, audits, and investigations.
Managing correction matters and regulatory compliance projects.
Supporting corporate transactions by advising on employee benefits due diligence and integration issues.
Counseling clients regarding benefits-related risks arising in mergers, acquisitions, restructurings, and other strategic transactions.

Qualifications

J.D. from an accredited law school with strong academic credentials.
Minimum of 6 years of employee benefits and ERISA experience.
Significant experience advising on:
- Tax-qualified retirement plans
- Health and welfare benefit plans
- ERISA compliance and fiduciary matters
- Employee benefits issues in corporate transactions
Experience drafting plan documents, amendments, and participant disclosures.
Familiarity with compliance testing requirements.
Experience handling IRS and Department of Labor filings, audits, and correction programs.
Strong analytical, drafting, and problem-solving skills.
Excellent written and oral communication abilities.
Ability to manage sophisticated client matters independently while working collaboratively within a team environment.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs).
Familiarity with ERISA plan asset rules.
Experience advising private equity sponsors, public companies, or large plan sponsors.

Why Consider This Opportunity

This position offers the opportunity to join a highly sophisticated employee benefits practice and advise clients on some of the most complex benefits and transactional matters in the market.

Attorneys in this group benefit from:

Exposure to high-profile corporate and transactional work.
Direct client interaction and advisory responsibility.
Collaboration with leading practitioners in employee benefits, executive compensation, tax, and corporate law.
A nationally recognized platform with a diverse client base.
Strong mentorship and professional development opportunities.
Long-term career growth within a premier practice.

Compensation & Benefits

Expected annual compensation begins at $390,000+, with final compensation determined based on experience, qualifications, office location, and other relevant factors.

The firm offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

Medical, dental, and vision coverage
Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
Life and disability insurance
Pre-tax commuter benefits
Backup child and adult care resources
Generous parental leave and fertility benefits
Four weeks of vacation annually
Paid sick leave and firm holidays
Long-term financial wellness and retirement benefits

This is an exceptional opportunity for a senior employee benefits attorney seeking sophisticated ERISA and qualified plan work, significant client responsibility, and a platform for long-term career advancement within a leading national practice.