Employee Benefits Partner

A law firm in Indianapolis, IN is seeking a highly experienced Employee Benefits Partner to handle a wide range of employee benefits legal matters. The candidate will be responsible for designing, drafting, and providing legal support for various employee benefits plans, including defined contribution and defined benefit plans, employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs), and executive compensation programs. The role also involves handling ERISA controversies and providing legal support during mergers and acquisitions.

Job Responsibilities:

• Lead the design, drafting, and legal support for defined contribution plans, defined benefit plans, employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs), and employee welfare plans.
• Provide legal guidance and strategic advice on executive compensation programs, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations.
• Support clients during mergers and acquisitions, with a particular focus on the implications for employee benefits, including conducting due diligence and structuring benefits-related components.
• Handle ERISA-related controversies, including representing clients during audits, investigations, and disputes with government agencies like the IRS and the Department of Labor.
• Advise clients on ESOP transactions, ensuring legal compliance and providing ongoing support to existing ESOPs.
• Ensure compliance with ERISA, tax laws, and other applicable regulations for employee benefit plans.
• Stay current on regulatory changes in employee benefits laws, proactively advising clients on potential impacts and compliance requirements.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external stakeholders to manage complex employee benefits projects, ensuring deadlines and deliverables are met.
• Represent clients in administrative hearings and proceedings involving employee benefits and executive compensation matters.

Requirements:

• Minimum of 8+ years of experience in handling ERISA, employee benefits, and executive compensation matters.
• Significant experience advising on ESOP transactions and providing ongoing legal support for existing ESOPs.
• Deep understanding of ERISA, tax laws, and related legal frameworks governing employee benefits and executive compensation.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, with the ability to explain complex legal issues clearly to clients and colleagues.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities with strong organizational and time management skills.
• Experience in project management, ensuring timely and accurate completion of tasks in a fast-paced legal environment.

Education:

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.
• Admission to the Indiana Bar, or eligibility to obtain admission.

Certifications (Preferred):

• Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) or equivalent certification is preferred.
• Additional certifications in ERISA, tax law, or related areas of employee benefits law would be advantageous.

Key Skills:

• Expertise in ERISA and employee benefits law.
• Strong understanding of tax laws as they relate to employee benefits and executive compensation.
• Significant experience advising on and managing employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs).
• Proficiency in project management, with the ability to oversee multiple complex legal matters.
• Strong interpersonal and client relationship management skills.
• Excellent negotiation skills, with the ability to develop and implement practical legal solutions for clients.

This position offers an opportunity for a legal professional with a specialization in employee benefits and executive compensation to take on a leadership role within a reputable law firm in Indianapolis, IN.

This Vault-ranked firm has a client-first mindset, where attorneys are rewarded based on their listening and understanding their clients' goals, thinking creatively and aggressively to advance those goals, and obtaining the clients' ultimate success. Attorneys at this firm partner with members of the firm's affiliated businesses to provide comprehensive service to clients. These partnerships allow clients to access business consulting across a variety of disciplines. The attorneys truly work as one team to help their clients succeed. This modern, progressive firm boasts a highly respectful, transparent workplace culture, which fosters creativity, teamwork, inclusion, diversity, and service to clients and communities. This firm emphasizes significant investment in the communities where their attorneys live and practice. Compensation at this firm is competitive with peer firms in the region.