ERISA/Employee Benefits Associate

Scion Staffing; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 108,000 - 122,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Hybrid schedule

Boutique firm

Nationwide impact

ERISA matters exposure

Trustee advisory work

Diverse practice areas

Job summary

Scion Legal is partnering with a respected boutique law firm in Oakland, California, to hire an ERISA/Employee Benefits Associate Attorney with 3–5 years of experience. You will handle sophisticated ERISA matters, build meaningful client relationships, and impact retirement security, healthcare, and workers' financial well‑being nationwide.

The position offers a hybrid schedule with in‑office Monday, Wednesday, Friday and remote Tuesday and Thursday, exposure to multiemployer plans, and

Qualifications

• JD from an accredited law school and eligibility to practice law in California.
• Approximately 3–5 years of legal experience, ideally ERISA, employee benefits, labor law, or related regulatory matters.
• Familiarity with Taft-Hartley multiemployer benefit plans, pension plans, health and welfare plans, or 401(k) plans.
• Strong legal research, drafting, and written communication skills.
• Attention to detail and ability to interpret complex statutory and regulatory requirements.
• Interpersonal skills and ability to communicate with clients, trustees, and attorneys.

Responsibilities

• Advise trustees of Taft-Hartley funds on a broad range of legal matters.
• Draft, review, and revise trust agreements, plan documents, amendments, and related materials.
• Negotiate and draft service provider agreements and other contracts for employee benefit plans.
• Provide guidance on ERISA compliance and evolving benefits requirements.
• Evaluate employee benefits claims, appeals, and related issues.
• Analyze employer withdrawal liability matters and multiemployer pension obligations.
• Conduct legal research and prepare memoranda and recommendations addressing complex benefits issues.
• Collaborate with attorneys and clients on innovative strategies to improve programs.
• Participate in client meetings, including occasional travel, to advise plan trustees.

Skills

ERISA law

Employee benefits

Legal research

Client relations

Drafting

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

CA bar eligibility

Tools

Word

Excel

Westlaw

Job description

Scion Legal is partnering with a respected boutique law firm in Oakland, California, to find a talented ERISA / Employee Benefits Associate Attorney to join its established employee benefits practice. This is an excellent opportunity for an attorney with 3–5 years of experience who is interested in sophisticated ERISA matters, meaningful client relationships, and work that directly impacts the retirement security, healthcare, and financial well-being of workers nationwide. The position offers a hybrid schedule, exposure to complex multiemployer benefit plans, and the opportunity to work closely with experienced attorneys in a specialized practice.

What We Offer:

• Competitive compensation of $108,000–$122,000 , based on experience and years of practice.
• Hybrid work schedule with in-office collaboration Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and remote flexibility Tuesday and Thursday.
• The opportunity to join a boutique law firm with approximately 10–12 attorneys and a focused, specialized practice.
• Meaningful work supporting pension, healthcare, retirement savings, and training benefits for workers across the country.
• Exposure to sophisticated ERISA and Taft-Hartley multiemployer benefit matters involving diverse industries.
• The opportunity to work directly with experienced attorneys and advise trustees on complex legal and regulatory issues.
• A varied practice encompassing legal counseling, regulatory compliance, contract negotiation, and benefits-related disputes.
• The opportunity to contribute to innovative approaches to employee benefits and evolving benefit plan structures.

If You Have:

• A Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school and eligibility to practice law in California.
• Approximately 3–5 years of legal experience , ideally involving ERISA, employee benefits, labor law, or related regulatory matters.
• Familiarity with Taft-Hartley multiemployer benefit plans, pension plans, health and welfare plans, or 401(k) plans.
• Strong legal research, analytical, drafting, and written communication skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and the ability to interpret complex statutory and regulatory requirements.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively with clients, trustees, and fellow attorneys.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Word and Excel, and the ability to work with legal practice management software.
• The ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a small, collaborative legal team.

You Will Be:

• Advise trustees of Taft-Hartley multiemployer pension, health and welfare, 401(k), and training funds on a broad range of legal matters.
• Draft, review, and revise trust agreements, plan documents, amendments, and related legal materials.
• Review, negotiate, and draft service provider agreements and other contracts involving employee benefit plans.
• Provide guidance on ERISA compliance, applicable federal regulations, and evolving employee benefits requirements.
• Evaluate employee benefits claims, administrative appeals, and related legal issues.
• Analyze employer withdrawal liability matters and provide legal guidance regarding multiemployer pension plan obligations.
• Conduct legal research and prepare memoranda, recommendations, and other written analyses addressing complex benefits issues.
• Collaborate with attorneys and clients on innovative strategies to improve and administer employee benefit programs.
• Participate in client meetings, including occasional travel, to advise plan trustees and address legal and operational concerns.
• Work closely with senior attorneys on matters involving employee benefit funds and related labor organizations.