In-House Benefits & Employment Law Counsel

Northwestern Mutual - Denver; Milwaukee (WI); Hybrid; USD 144,000 - 216,000; Full time

Job summary

Northwestern Mutual’s Law Department seeks an experienced attorney to advise on employee benefits and employment law matters. The role involves advising on retirement plans, health and welfare programs, and related regulatory compliance, including ERISA and tax considerations.

The attorney will work within the Corporate Team reporting to the Vice President – Corporate Counsel, collaborating with HR and management to update policies, draft and review disclosures, and mitigate risks while

Qualifications

• Three years of legal experience in employer benefits or employment matters.
• Strong familiarity with retirement plans, health and welfare programs, and ERISA.
• Willingness to expand practice to employment law matters over time.
• Ability to analyze a variety of legal issues and provide pragmatic legal advice.
• Juris Doctorate required; Wisconsin bar license or commitment to become licensed within first year.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice on design, implementation, and administration of employee benefit programs, including retirement and health plans.
• Collaborate with HR and management to develop benefits policies and procedures.
• Draft, review, and maintain legal documents, disclosures, and communications related to benefits.
• Identify legal risks and provide strategies to mitigate them.
• Stay informed on changes in employee benefits law, tax regulations, and ERISA requirements.
• Support employment law issues: recruiting, wage/hour, leave, investigations, discipline, pay equity, and terminations.
• Collaborate with specialists in securities, distribution and sales, financial planning and insurance.

Skills

Attention to Detail

Continuous Improvement

Decision Making

Policy & Procedure

Risk Assessment & Identification

Education

Juris Doctorate

Job description

Northwestern Mutual’s Law Department seeks an experienced attorney to advise on employee benefits and employment law matters. The role involves advising on retirement plans, health and welfare programs, and related regulatory compliance, including ERISA and tax considerations.

The attorney will work within the Corporate Team reporting to the Vice President – Corporate Counsel, collaborating with HR and management to update policies, draft and review disclosures, and mitigate risks while