Senior Compensation & Benefits Attorney (Qualified Plans)

Job Description

Job Description

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.