Employee Benefits Associate Attorney

Job Title: Employee Benefits Associate Attorney

Job Overview:
A reputable law firm located in Richmond, VA, is actively seeking a skilled Employee Benefits Associate Attorney to join its collaborative ESOPs, Benefits & Compensation team. This role involves providing expert legal advice on a wide array of benefits and compensation matters, including retirement plans, employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs), executive compensation, and ERISA-related issues. The ideal candidate will bring 2+ years of relevant experience, with a focus on growing within a dynamic and supportive environment.

Duties:

• Provide expert counsel on employee benefits and executive compensation matters, advising both clients and colleagues on complex issues related to retirement plans, ESOPs, nonqualified deferred compensation plans, and more.
• Work closely with a team of legal professionals in advising on welfare benefits, employment tax, equity compensation, M&A transactions, IRS/DOL audits, and executive employment agreements.
• Collaborate with clients, including privately held, publicly traded, governmental, and tax-exempt organizations, offering insights into the nuances of employee benefits and compensation.
• Take ownership of client relationships, proactively identifying and addressing issues and building long-term client trust and satisfaction.
• Contribute to the growth and development of the firm's ESOP practice, leveraging existing skills while expanding knowledge in this area.
• Operate independently while maintaining a team-oriented approach to problem-solving and decision-making.

Requirements:

• A minimum of 2 years of experience in employee benefits and executive compensation, ideally in a law firm setting.
• Proven ability to handle complex benefits matters, including retirement and stock ownership plans, and related compensation issues.
• A proactive attitude, with the ability to work independently and contribute meaningfully to team goals.
• Strong client relationship-building skills and the ability to engage in high-level discussions regarding employee benefits.

Education:

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

Certifications:

• Admission to the Virginia or North Carolina Bar, or the ability to obtain licensure and maintain good standing.

Skills:

• Expertise in employee benefits law, including ERISA compliance and executive compensation.
• Excellent legal research, writing, and analytical skills.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to articulate complex legal concepts to clients and colleagues alike.
• Client-focused mindset with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.

Job Location: Richmond, VA

Benefits:

• Health insurance (medical, dental, vision)
• Life insurance
• 401(k) and 401(k) matching
• Profit sharing
• Disability insurance
• Long-term disability coverage

This law firm is special because it has been able to guarantee client satisfaction by finding the right synergy among attorneys who have developed a superior skill level and solid reputation in the legal community and a large variety of clients. Practice areas include admiralty, antitrust, banking, bankruptcy, corporations, creditors' rights, employment, environmental, estate planning, government contract, family law, healthcare, immigration, intellectual property, international, labor, litigation, municipal finance, probate, real estate, securities, and taxation.