Associate / Attorney - ESOP Transactions

Watts & Associates Recruitment; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 260,000 - 420,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus opportunities

Insurance benefits

Paid time off

Professional development

Hybrid work arrangement

Job summary

Watts & Associates is seeking an experienced ESOP Transactions & Services Associate to join its Chicago office in a hybrid arrangement. The role focuses on sophisticated ESOP transactions, ERISA compliance, and related corporate and governance matters for private companies, executives and fiduciaries.

The successful attorney will own complex matters, work with partners, and participate in a national platform that rewards initiative and business development.

Qualifications

• At least four years of substantive ESOP experience.
• Experience advising on ESOP transaction planning.
• Strong knowledge of ERISA and qualified retirement plans.
• Experience with Section 409A and executive compensation matters.
• Corporate governance experience.
• General corporate transactional capabilities.
• Excellent legal drafting, analytical and communication skills.
• Collaborative and commercially minded approach.
• Top law school background preferred; candidates from top schools attractive.

Responsibilities

• Advise on sophisticated ESOP transactions and related corporate and employee benefits matters.
• Structure, negotiate and document ESOP transactions.
• Counsel on ERISA and retirement plan requirements.
• Address Section 409A and executive compensation matters.
• Support corporate governance and fiduciary considerations.
• Assist with general corporate and private company transactions.
• Draft and negotiate transaction documents.
• Collaborate with owners, management, trustees, lenders and advisers.
• Manage workstreams with limited supervision.

Skills

ESOP transactions

ERISA knowledge

Section 409A

Corporate governance

Drafting & negotiation

Education

J.D. from an accredited law school

Job description

ESOP Transactions and Services Associate | 4+ Years | Chicago, IL | Hybrid | $260,000-$420,000 Base + Benefits & Bonuses

Watts & Associates is working discreetly with a highly regarded Am Law 100 national full-service law firm seeking an experienced ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) Transactions & Services Associate to join its Chicago office.

This opportunity is suited to a transactional attorney with substantial employee stock ownership plan experience who wants to advise private companies, business owners, executives and fiduciaries on sophisticated ESOP transactions and related corporate, benefits and governance matters.

The successful attorney will take meaningful ownership of complex matters, work closely with experienced partners and contribute immediately within an entrepreneurial national platform that values initiative, commercial judgment and long‑term practice development.

Company Highlights

• Am Law 100 national platform with more than 1,000 attorneys across the United States
• National Tier 1 rankings for ERISA, Corporate Law and M&A
• Entrepreneurial culture offering associates meaningful responsibility and direct client exposure
• Sophisticated transactional work for private companies, executives, investors and business owners
• Collaborative environment with accessible senior lawyers and strong cross‑office support
• Formal mentoring, professional development and leadership opportunities
• Strong emphasis on practical experience, commercial judgment and individual contribution
• Opportunity to help grow a specialised national practice within an expanding firm

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

This is an attractive opportunity for an ESOP attorney seeking:

• Sophisticated and highly specialised transactional work
• Meaningful ownership of complex matters
• Direct interaction with clients, fiduciaries and business advisers
• Exposure to corporate, tax, benefits and governance issues within the same practice
• A national platform with strong cross‑practice resources
• Accessible partners and a collaborative working environment
• Opportunities to mentor junior attorneys and contribute to practice growth
• Support for business development and client relationship building
• A credible route to senior associate, counsel or shareholder progression

The role offers the resources and client base of a major Am Law firm while retaining an entrepreneurial environment in which experienced associates are encouraged to take initiative, build relationships and help shape the growth of the practice.

The Role

The successful attorney will advise on sophisticated ESOP transactions and related corporate and employee benefits matters, including:

• Structuring, negotiating and documenting ESOP transactions
• Advising on ESOP transaction planning and implementation
• Counselling clients on ERISA and qualified retirement plan requirements
• Addressing Section 409A and executive compensation matters
• Advising on corporate governance and fiduciary considerations
• Supporting general corporate and private company transactions
• Drafting and negotiating transaction documents
• Working with company owners, management teams, trustees, lenders and financial advisers
• Advising clients on ongoing ESOP administration and business strategy
• Managing substantive workstreams with limited supervision
• Coordinating with corporate, tax, benefits, finance and healthcare attorneys across the firm

Experience involving mergers and acquisitions, private equity, private company representation or healthcare organisations would be particularly valuable.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The firm is seeking an associate with:

• At least four years of substantive ESOP experience
• Experience advising on ESOP transaction planning
• Strong knowledge of ERISA and qualified retirement plans
• Experience with Section 409A and executive compensation matters
• Corporate governance experience
• General corporate transactional capabilities
• A J.D. from an accredited law school
• Excellent legal drafting, analytical and communication skills
• The ability to manage complex matters independently
• A collaborative and commercially minded approach
• Strong law firm experience and the ability to contribute immediately

Candidates from T14 and T25 law schools are highly attractive. Candidates from schools ranked within approximately the top 50 will also be considered where they bring strong and directly relevant experience.

Compensation and Benefits

The anticipated base salary range is $260,000–$420,000, depending on experience, qualifications and other relevant factors.

The firm also offers:

• Performance-based bonus opportunities
• Retirement and insurance benefits
• Paid time off and firm‑recognised holidays
• Professional-development and mentoring programmes
• Leadership and business‑development support
• An annual billable expectation of approximately 1,900 hours for lateral associates
• A hybrid arrangement requiring four days per week in the Chicago

Relevant search terms:

ESOP Associate, ESOP Attorney, Employee Stock Ownership Plan, ESOP Transactions, ERISA Attorney, Qualified Retirement Plans, Section 409A, Executive Compensation, Corporate Governance, Corporate Transactions, Private Company Representation, Mergers and Acquisitions, Private Equity, Business Succession Planning, Employee Benefits Attorney, Chicago Attorney Jobs, Illinois Bar, Am Law 100, Transactional Associate

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