Overview
A nationally recognized employee benefits practice is seeking an attorney to advise sophisticated clients on complex, tax-qualified retirement plan issues. This direct-hire role involves working with leading employers on SECURE 2.0 implementation and qualified plan strategy.
Responsibilities
- Advise clients on the design, implementation, and ongoing administration of tax-qualified retirement plans, including 401(k), profit-sharing, defined benefit, and cash balance plans.
- Analyze plan features and operations for compliance with ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code, including qualification requirements and nondiscrimination rules.
- Draft and revise plan documents, amendments, summary plan descriptions (SPDs), and participant communications.
- Interpret and apply key Code and ERISA provisions (e.g., 401(a), 410(b), 415) to specific client fact patterns and plan designs.
- Counsel clients on SECURE 2.0-related changes, identifying practical implementation issues and proposing solutions.
- Review and advise on nondiscrimination testing methodologies and results, coordinating with recordkeepers, actuaries, and third-party administrators.
- Support responses to IRS and DOL inquiries related to qualified plans, including voluntary correction and compliance programs.
- Collaborate with colleagues across the employee benefits practice to provide integrated advice on retirement plan issues in corporate transactions and other matters.
Requirements
- Minimum 5 years of hands-on experience with tax-qualified retirement plans, focusing on 401(k), profit-sharing, defined benefit, and/or cash balance plans.
- Working fluency in ERISA and Internal Revenue Code provisions applicable to qualified plans, including 401(a), 410(b), 415, and related nondiscrimination concepts.
- Experience advising on plan design and operational compliance beyond litigation, health and welfare, or executive compensation.
- Proven ability to draft plan documents, amendments, SPDs, and participant communications.
- Strong knowledge of SECURE 2.0 implementation issues and ability to translate regulatory developments into practical guidance.
- Excellent legal research, analysis, and writing skills with the ability to communicate complex rules clearly.
- Experience interacting directly with clients, explaining technical issues and recommendations to legal and non-legal stakeholders.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience coordinating with recordkeepers, TPAs, actuaries, and payroll/HR teams on qualified plan administration and corrections.
- Familiarity with IRS and DOL correction programs such as EPCRS and handling plan qualification or compliance issues.
- Exposure to retirement plan issues in corporate transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, and plan mergers/terminations.
- Prior experience in a law firm or consulting environment serving multiple clients with diverse plan designs and compliance needs.
Education and Licensing
- Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
- Admission to at least one U.S. state bar in good standing.
- Additional coursework or certification in employee benefits, tax, or ERISA (e.g., LL.M. in Taxation) is preferred but not required.
Compensation & Benefits
Details regarding compensation and benefits will be provided during the hiring process.
Location
This position's location details will be discussed with candidates during the recruitment process.