ERISA and Employee Benefits Attorney

A law firm seeks an ERISA and Employee Benefits Attorney to join its Red Bank office.

Duties

• Advise on the structuring, maintenance, and compliance of qualified retirement plans, including design and documentation

• Counsel on executive compensation arrangements, health & welfare plans, and fringe benefits programs

• Support mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures from an employee benefits and ERISA perspective

• Guide clients on sponsor and fiduciary risk management, including developing strategies to mitigate exposure

• Draft and review benefit plan documents, summary plan descriptions, and related compliance materials

• Handle ERISA claims and dispute resolution, including pre-litigation counseling, arbitration, and litigation support

• Assist clients through governmental investigations and audits relating to employee benefit plans

• Guide Affordable Care Act compliance, including reporting obligations and plan design considerations

• Advise on Section 409A compliance, including nonqualified deferred compensation arrangements

Requirements

• Minimum of five years of postgraduate experience focused on employee benefits and ERISA matters

• Demonstrated experience with qualified retirement plan design, health & welfare plan compliance, and executive compensation

• Proven track record advising on mergers and acquisitions from an ERISA standpoint

• Familiarity with fiduciary duties, sponsor risk management, and benefit plan documentation

• Experience managing ERISA claims and navigating government investigations or audits

• Strong working knowledge of Affordable Care Act regulations and Section 409A rules

Education

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an ABA-accredited law school

Certifications

• Admission to the state bar in which the Attorney will practice (required)

Skills

• Exceptional legal research and analytical abilities in the benefits and ERISA arena

• Excellent drafting and proofreading skills for complex plan documents, memos, and compliance materials

• Effective oral advocacy and negotiation skills in dealing with plan sponsors, fiduciaries, and regulators

• Ability to anticipate compliance risks and develop practical solutions to avoid costly penalties

• Strong project management skills with attention to detail and the ability to oversee multiple matters simultaneously

• Collaborative mindset and ability to work seamlessly with colleagues, clients, and other stakeholders