Senior Compensation & Benefits Attorney (Qualified Plans)

Senior Compensation & Benefits Attorney (Qualified Plans)
Boston, MA | Chicago, IL | Washington, D.C. | Los Angeles, CA | New York, NY | Palo Alto, CA | Reston, VA | San Diego, CA | San Francisco, CA
Direct Counsel is seeking a Senior Compensation & Benefits Attorney to join a prestigious Am Law 100 law firm with 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.