Employee Benefits (ERISA) Associate Attorney

Job Description

Job Description

Employee Benefits (ERISA) Associate Attorney – Chicago, Illinois

Direct Counsel is seeking an Employee Benefits (ERISA) Associate Attorney to join a highly respected Am Law firm in its Chicago office.

This opportunity is ideal for an attorney with 2–5 years of experience advising clients on ERISA and employee benefits matters, particularly those involving ERISA Title I issues, investment-related transactions, qualified retirement plans, and health and welfare benefit plans. The successful candidate will join a growing national practice and work closely with attorneys across corporate, finance, and capital markets teams to deliver sophisticated and practical solutions to clients.

Key Responsibilities:

• Advise clients on a broad range of ERISA and employee benefits matters.

• Counsel clients on ERISA Title I issues arising in connection with funds formation, securitization, and other investment-related transactions.

• Analyze prohibited transaction and fiduciary considerations under ERISA.

• Advise on qualified retirement plans, including defined contribution and defined benefit plans.

• Counsel clients regarding the design, operation, and ongoing compliance of employee benefit plans.

• Provide guidance on health and welfare benefit plans, including medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and related benefit arrangements.

• Support transactional matters involving private funds, investments, financings, and other corporate transactions.

• Conduct legal research and draft memoranda, analyses, and client-facing work product.

• Collaborate with attorneys across multiple practice areas to provide integrated legal advice.

Qualifications:

• J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school.

• Active membership and good standing with the Illinois Bar.

• 2–5 years of experience advising clients on ERISA and employee benefits matters.

• Experience with ERISA Title I issues and employee benefits compliance.

• Familiarity with investment-related transactions, including funds formation, securitizations, financings, or private fund matters is strongly preferred.

• Experience advising on qualified retirement plans and health and welfare plans.

• Excellent legal research, analytical, and drafting skills.

• Strong communication and interpersonal abilities.

• Ability to manage multiple matters in a collaborative, team-oriented environment.

• Outstanding academic credentials.

Why Apply?

This is an excellent opportunity to join a nationally recognized Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation practice that works at the intersection of employee benefits, investments, corporate transactions, and regulatory compliance. Attorneys in this group enjoy close partner interaction, meaningful responsibility, sophisticated client work, and a collaborative environment that supports professional growth and development.

Compensation: $240,000 – $350,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Benefits: Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), disability and life insurance, adoption assistance, and dependent care support.