Employee Benefits Partner

A law firm in Cincinnati, OH is seeking a highly qualified Employee Benefits Partner to manage a wide range of employee benefits matters. The successful candidate will be responsible for designing, drafting, and providing legal support for various employee benefits plans and executive compensation programs. Additionally, the role will require offering legal counsel in merger and acquisition transactions, controversy work, and ensuring compliance with ERISA, tax laws, and other regulatory frameworks.

Job Responsibilities:

• Design, draft, and provide legal support for a variety of employee benefits plans, including defined contribution plans, defined benefit plans, employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs), and employee welfare plans.
• Advise clients on executive compensation programs, ensuring compliance with legal standards and alignment with client goals.
• Provide legal counsel in merger and acquisition transactions, particularly related to employee benefits implications, conducting due diligence and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Handle ERISA-related controversies, such as audits, investigations, and disputes with government agencies, including the IRS and the Department of Labor.
• Offer strategic advice and support on ESOP transactions, including the structuring, compliance, and ongoing legal oversight of existing ESOPs.
• Ensure compliance with ERISA, tax law, and other applicable regulations about employee benefits plans.
• Stay informed on changes in employee benefits regulations, ensuring that clients remain compliant with current laws and industry best practices.
• Collaborate with other legal team members and external stakeholders to manage complex benefits projects and transactions, ensuring deadlines and client expectations are met.
• Represent clients in administrative proceedings and audits related to employee benefits and executive compensation matters.

Requirements:

• A minimum of 8+ years of experience in handling ERISA, employee benefits, and executive compensation matters.
• Extensive experience advising on ESOP transactions and existing ESOPs.
• A broad understanding of ERISA, tax laws, and related regulations as they pertain to employee benefit plans and executive compensation.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex legal concepts clearly to clients and internal teams.
• Proven organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Demonstrated proficiency in time management and project management, ensuring timely delivery of services to clients.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment while maintaining attention to detail and high standards of accuracy.

Education:

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.
• Admission to the Ohio 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 beneficial.

Key Skills:

• In-depth expertise in ERISA, employee benefits law, and executive compensation.
• Proficiency in managing and structuring employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) and advising clients on their legal intricacies.
• Strong understanding of tax law as it pertains to employee benefits and executive compensation.
• Exceptional skills in designing and administering employee benefits plans and executive compensation programs.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to handle complex projects with multiple stakeholders.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with clients and internal teams.
• Strong negotiation skills and a client-focused approach to legal service delivery.

This position offers an opportunity for a highly experienced legal professional to take on a leadership role at a reputable law firm, providing strategic counsel on employee benefits and executive compensation matters in Cincinnati, OH.

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.