Employee Benefits Associate

A law firm seeks an experienced Employee Benefits Associate to join its team in Buffalo. This role involves advising clients on the design, implementation, and operation of various employee benefit plans, including retirement, welfare, executive compensation, and fringe benefits. The position offers a collaborative environment to work across practice areas and provide holistic solutions to client needs.

Duties

• Counsel clients on establishing, maintaining, and operating retirement, welfare, executive compensation, and fringe benefit plans.
• Draft comprehensive employee benefit plan documents and summary plan descriptions.
• Provide expertise in administrative service agreements related to benefit plans.
• Collaborate with other legal and business practice areas to offer integrated client solutions.
• Stay updated on regulatory changes and compliance requirements affecting employee benefits.

Requirements

• 2 to 6 years of experience with employee benefits laws, regulations, and compliance (including ERISA).
• Strong technical, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary teams.

Education

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

Certifications

• Licensed to practice law and in good standing in the relevant jurisdiction.

Skills

• Comprehensive understanding of ERISA and related regulatory frameworks.
• Proficiency in drafting complex legal documents and agreements.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Excellent interpersonal skills for client counseling and advocacy.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.
• Long-term disability coverage and flexible spending accounts.
• Participation in 401(k) and pension plans.
• Generous paid time off (PTO).

This is one of the nation's oldest law firms that has a tradition of excellence and a commitment to the highest ethical standards. Their mission is to provide value to their clients through high-quality work, outstanding service, and attention to individual needs. The firm offers competitive salaries and practices in all major areas of the law, including litigation, business and banking, labor and employment, trusts and estates, and tax. There is a very friendly environment at this firm, for they aim to hire the same types of people whom they would choose to invite out for a cup of coffee or a glass of beer. Attorneys at this firm are well balanced and have passionate interests in politics, theater, and sports. They are the types of people who care about their communities and participate in them, and care about their families and friends and spend time with them. This firms success is greatly due to the types of people employed at this firm, for attorneys here have strong identities as people and realize that they cannot only to be defined by their legal practice. Their excellent record of pro bono work and community involvement is further evidence of their commitment to diversity, equality and justice, both in the workplace and in the communities where they live.