Associate - Executive Compensation & Benefits

A leading national law firm is seeking a high-performing associate with 2-3 years of experience to join its Executive Compensation & Benefits Practice Group within its Tax Business Unit. This position offers location flexibility across Los Angeles, San Francisco, or Silicon Valley offices, with candidates indicating their preferred office in their cover letter.

The role involves advising public and private employers on a broad range of employee benefits and ERISA matters, including qualified retirement plan administration and governance (such as 401(k) and defined benefit plans), health and welfare plan design, implementation, and compliance, ERISA fiduciary duty counseling, prohibited transaction analysis, IRS and DOL audits and investigations, EPCRS submissions, Form 5500 reporting, vendor agreement review, and transaction-related benefits issues.

The firm boasts one of the largest stand-alone compensation and benefits groups in the country, recognized nationally and internationally for providing comprehensive guidance on executive compensation and employee benefits to private, public, not-for-profit, and governmental entities, as well as representing individual executives in employment and exit arrangements.

The expected salary range is $235,000 - $260,000, with final compensation determined by relevant experience, qualifications, skill set, and geographic location. Qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records will be considered in accordance with the California Fair Chance Act.

• Juris Doctor (JD) or foreign equivalent; an LLM will be considered in lieu of a JD.
• 2-3 years of experience advising on employee benefits and ERISA matters.
• Prior or current experience at an Am Law 100 firm.
• Excellent academic credentials.
• Exceptional analytical, research, and legal writing skills.
• Outstanding interpersonal and communication abilities.
• Thorough understanding of professional ethics and conduct codes applicable to legal practice.
• Admission to and good standing with the bar in the jurisdiction(s) where practicing.