Employee Benefits Partner

Title: Employee Benefits Partner

Job Overview: A prestigious law firm is seeking an experienced Employee Benefits Partner to join its dynamic team. This role focuses on handling complex matters related to employee benefits, including ERISA, executive compensation, and employee stock ownership plans (ESOP). The successful candidate will have a deep understanding of employee benefits law, strong leadership abilities, and experience supporting mergers and acquisitions, controversial work, and designing benefits programs.

Duties:

• Design, draft, and support various employee benefits plans, including:
  • Defined contribution plans
  • Defined benefit plans
  • Employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs)
  • Employee welfare plans
  • Executive compensation programs
• Provide legal support for mergers and acquisitions, focusing on benefits and compensation matters.
• Advise clients on a wide range of issues related to ERISA, tax law, and other legal requirements for employee benefits plans.
• Manage controversial work involving employee benefits, including regulatory compliance and dispute resolution.
• Collaborate with teams across various practice areas to ensure the seamless integration of employee benefit plans within broader corporate strategies.
• Act as a trusted advisor to clients on existing ESOP transactions and provide ongoing guidance on related matters.

Requirements:

• Minimum of 8 years of experience in employee benefits, ERISA, and executive compensation matters.
• Proven expertise in designing, drafting, and managing a wide variety of employee benefit plans.
• Experience in ESOP transactions and providing ongoing advisory services to existing ESOPs.
• Strong understanding of tax laws and ERISA regulations as they pertain to employee benefits.
• Exceptional communication and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Prior experience supporting M&A transactions is highly desirable.

Education:

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.
• Active Bar membership in good standing in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.

Skills:

• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Excellent organizational, time management, and project management abilities.
• Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Deep knowledge of employee benefits laws, including ERISA and tax laws.
• Problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.
• Ability to navigate complex legal issues and provide practical, business-oriented solutions.

Job Location:

• Detroit, MI