ERISA/Employee Benefits Associate Counsel

Job Overview

A law firm is seeking an Associate Counsel with 3-5 years of experience or interest in employee benefits law, specifically ERISA, and a commitment to workers' rights and the labor movement. The ideal candidate will have experience with multiemployer defined benefit pension plans, defined contribution plans, and welfare benefit plans. Additional experience with governmental plans, QDROs, subrogation, and trust fund collections is a plus. The role requires strong research, writing, and analytical skills and the ability to work effectively with unions, multiemployer trust funds, and plan participants. This is a hybrid position, requiring in-person work in Oakland, California.

Location

• Oakland, California

Duties

• Handle legal matters related to employee benefits law, including ERISA, multiemployer pension plans, and welfare benefit plans.

• Provide counsel on governmental plans, QDROs, subrogation, and trust fund collections.

• Conduct legal research and draft memoranda, briefs, and other legal documents.

• Work closely with unions, multiemployer trust funds, and plan participants.

• Represent clients in legal proceedings involving employee benefits issues.

Requirements

• 3-5 years of experience in employee benefits law, with a focus on ERISA and multiemployer pension plans.

• Strong understanding of defined benefit pension plans, defined contribution plans, and welfare benefit plans.

• Experience with governmental plans, QDROs, subrogation, and trust fund collections preferred.

• Demonstrated commitment to workers' rights and the labor movement.

• Ability to work effectively with unions, multiemployer trust funds, and plan participants.

• Hybrid work arrangement that requires in-person presence in Oakland, California.

Education

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

Certifications

• Active membership in the State Bar (California preferred, or willingness to join the California Bar).

Skills

• Strong research, writing, and analytical skills.

• Ability to interpret and apply complex legal precedents, statutes, and regulations.

• Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal.

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Benefits

• Loan repayment assistance up to $4,000 per year.

• Annual bonuses.

• Comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, life insurance, and long-term disability insurance.

• Cell phone reimbursement.

• Eligibility for 401(k) plan with employer contributions after one year of employment.

This Bay Area firm, with two offices in California, focuses on the representation of employees and labor unions. The firm boasts a longstanding dedication to the labor movement, exemplified by the firm's reform litigation, individual, and class action cases.