Senior Associate Attorney - Employee Benefits

A law firm seeks a seasoned Senior Associate Attorney to join its Employee Benefits practice in Columbus, OH. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of seven years of experience in employee benefits law, with a particular focus on ERISA and qualified retirement plans, including traditional defined benefit plans and defined contribution/401(k) plans. This role will involve counseling plan sponsors on a variety of matters related to benefits structures, fiduciary duties, plan investments, and mergers and acquisitions. The attorney will also have experience in drafting, reviewing, and amending retirement plan documents to ensure compliance with evolving tax-qualification requirements.

Duties:

• Provide expert legal counsel to plan sponsors on employee benefit structures, tax qualification requirements, fiduciary duties, plan funding, and plan investments.
• Draft and review qualified retirement plan documents, including individually designed and pre-approved plans, and ensure compliance with changes in tax qualification requirements.
• Advise clients on employee benefits issues related to mergers, acquisitions, and corporate restructuring.
• Assist in correcting plan errors and navigating plan administration and governance.
• Review and negotiate service provider agreements for retirement plans, ensuring compliance with fiduciary standards.
• Guide clients on benefit claims, participant communications, and plan corrections.
• Lead legal research efforts to support client strategies, ensuring up-to-date knowledge of employee benefits laws and regulations.
• Communicate complex legal matters in a clear and actionable manner, both in writing and oral presentations.
• Cultivate strong client relationships through effective legal advice and exceptional service.

Requirements:

• A minimum of seven years of experience in employee benefits law, with a substantial focus on qualified retirement plans, including defined benefit plans and 401(k) plans.
• Experience with multiemployer plans, cash balance plans, and 403(b) plans is a plus.
• In-depth knowledge of ERISA and experience advising on benefit structures, tax qualification, fiduciary responsibilities, and plan funding.
• Proven experience in drafting and reviewing retirement plan documents, including amendments for tax qualification and compliance.
• Experience advising on employee benefits in the context of mergers and acquisitions.
• Strong skills in legal research and problem-solving, with the ability to address complex legal issues efficiently.
• Effective communicator with excellent written and oral presentation abilities.
• Ability to build and maintain strong client relationships.
• Capacity to work independently and collaborate effectively in a team setting.

Education:

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.

Certifications:

• Admission to practice law in one of the following jurisdictions is required: Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, or Washington, D.C.

Skills:

• Expertise in ERISA and qualified retirement plans.
• Strong drafting and negotiating skills for retirement plan documents.
• In-depth knowledge of employee benefits law, including plan governance and fiduciary duties.
• Excellent research, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication abilities.
• Strong client relations and presentation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health and dental coverage.
• Generous paid time off (PTO) and holiday policies.
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer contributions.
• Professional development opportunities and career growth support.
• Collaborative and inclusive work environment.

This is a fantastic opportunity for a senior associate attorney with significant experience in employee benefits to join a dynamic, forward-thinking team. The role offers the chance to take on challenging and rewarding work while contributing to the firm’s success and continued growth.