Employee Benefits Associate

Job Overview

A nationally recognized law firm is seeking an Associate Attorney with 3–5 years of experience in employee benefits law, with a particular focus on qualified retirement plans. This fully remote position offers an exciting opportunity for an attorney to work on high-impact matters involving non-ERISA public retirement plans, governmental plans, and church plans. The ideal candidate will be poised to assume leadership within the practice and manage significant client relationships in a collaborative, team-oriented legal environment.

Location

• Riverside, CA

Duties

• Advise clients on design and compliance of qualified retirement plans, including tax and fiduciary responsibilities

• Provide counsel on governmental and church plan structures and compliance, including CalPERS and PEPRA (Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act of 2013)

• Draft and revise plan documents, summary plan descriptions, and investment management agreements

• Review and negotiate service provider contracts

• Guide plan sponsors and fiduciaries on governance structures and best practices

• Support clients through IRS voluntary compliance programs

• Work collaboratively with legal team members on public retirement plan strategies

• Maintain and grow long-term client relationships

• Participate in business development efforts and supervise junior attorneys or support staff as needed

Requirements

• Minimum of 3–5 years of experience in employee benefits law, with an emphasis on qualified retirement plans

• In-depth understanding of the Internal Revenue Code, ERISA, and related regulatory frameworks

• Experience working with public sector clients, governmental plans, or church plans preferred

• Ability to independently manage client relationships and supervise others

• Entrepreneurial mindset and interest in long-term practice development

Education

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

Certifications

• Must be admitted and in good standing with the California State Bar

Skills

• Strong legal research, writing, and document drafting abilities

• Exceptional verbal communication and client counseling skills

• Detail-oriented with the ability to manage complex compliance issues

• Comfortable working in a collaborative, team-driven setting

• Proven ability to lead client engagements and contribute to practice growth

Benefits

• Opportunity for leadership within a highly respected practice area

• Flexible remote work structure

• Strong firm culture emphasizing inclusivity, collaboration, and professional development

• Supportive environment for long-term growth and practice ownership transition

This is a full-service law firm with more than 150 attorneys in offices strategically located to serve California's fastest growing communities. In meeting the needs of public and private sector clients, it offers unique experience in handling complex, multi-disciplinary issues and providing solutions of common interest to leaders of both business and government.