Employee Benefits Attorney

Wintermeyer Ventures; Albany (GA); Hybrid; USD 139,000 - 192,000; Full time

Job summary

Wintermeyer Ventures is seeking an attorney to join a collaborative legal team advising employers and plan sponsors on employee benefits, with a primary focus on retirement plans and ERISA. This role combines ongoing compliance counseling with transactional work, including benefits diligence for mergers and acquisitions.

You'll design and advise on qualified retirement plans, support plan sponsors through IRS and DOL audits and SECURE Act changes, and counsel on executive compensation, equity,

Qualifications

• 4–10 years of employee benefits and ERISA experience at a law firm.
• Hands-on experience designing, drafting, or advising on 401(k), pension, or other qualified plans.
• Plan-sponsor-side counseling including compliance, fiduciary advice, corrections, audits, or M&A diligence.
• Knowledge of nondiscrimination testing, EPCRS or VFCP corrections, SECURE Act changes.

Responsibilities

• Design, draft, and amend 401(k), pension, and other qualified retirement plans.
• Advise sponsors on plan compliance, nondiscrimination testing, and audits.
• Support SECURE Act implementation and other regulatory developments.
• Conduct benefits diligence in M&A, identify liabilities, draft reps/warranties.
• Counsel on deferred compensation, executive compensation, equity and incentive plans.
• Collaborate with clients and cross-practice colleagues.

Skills

Employee benefits

ERISA experience

Plan design

M&A diligence

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

New York Bar admission or eligibility

Job description

About the Role

Join a collaborative legal team advising employers and plan sponsors on employee benefits, with a primary focus on retirement plans and ERISA. This role combines ongoing compliance counseling with transactional work, including benefits diligence for mergers and acquisitions.

What You'll Do

• Design, draft, and amend 401(k), pension, profit-sharing, and other qualified retirement plans.
• Advise plan sponsors and fiduciary committees on plan compliance, nondiscrimination testing, corrections, and IRS or Department of Labor audits.
• Support clients with implementation of SECURE Act and SECURE 2.0 requirements and other regulatory developments.
• Conduct benefits diligence in M&A transactions, identify plan liabilities, draft related representations and warranties, and advise on post-closing integration.
• Counsel clients on deferred compensation, executive compensation, equity and incentive plans, and severance arrangements.
• Communicate directly with clients and collaborate with colleagues across corporate and capital markets practices.

What We're Looking For

• Four to ten years of substantive employee benefits and ERISA experience at a law firm, with a strong focus on qualified retirement plans.
• Hands-on experience designing, drafting, amending, or advising on 401(k), pension, profit-sharing, or other qualified plans.
• Plan-sponsor-side counseling experience, including compliance, fiduciary advice, plan corrections, audit response, or M&A diligence.
• Knowledge of nondiscrimination testing, EPCRS or VFCP corrections, IRS and Department of Labor audits, and SECURE Act changes.
• A JD from an accredited law school, admission to the New York bar or eligibility and willingness to waive in, and authorization to work in the United States without visa sponsorship.
• Strong written work product, responsive communication, and a collaborative approach. Executive compensation, 409A, health and welfare plan, Tax LL.M., or CPA experience is a plus.

Compensation & Benefits

Annual salary range: $139,000 to $192,000. Visa sponsorship is not available.

Location

Hybrid role based in Albany, New York. Candidates in Rochester or Buffalo, New York, will also be considered.