Retirement Attorney

Syntax Talent Solutions; United States; On-site; USD 140,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Syntax Talent Solutions, a nationally recognised employee benefits practice, seeks an attorney with deep ERISA and Internal Revenue Code expertise to design and implement tax-qualified retirement plans for sophisticated clients. You will advise on 401(k), profit-sharing, defined benefit and cash balance plans, ensuring compliance and strategic alignment.

You will draft plan documents, amendments, SPDs, and participant communications, translating regulatory developments into practical guidance

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of hands-on experience with tax-qualified retirement plans (401(k), profit-sharing, defined benefit, cash balance).
• Fluency in ERISA and Internal Revenue Code provisions applicable to qualified plans.
• Experience drafting plan documents, amendments, SPDs, and participant communications.
• Strong knowledge of SECURE 2.0 implementation and related guidance.

Responsibilities

• Advise on design, implementation, and ongoing administration of tax-qualified retirement plans (401(k), profit-sharing, defined benefit, cash balance).
• Analyze plan features for ERISA/IRC compliance, including nondiscrimination rules.
• Draft plan documents, amendments, SPDs, and participant communications with clear language.
• Interpret provisions like 401(a), 410(b), 415 in client contexts and plan designs.
• Counsel on SECURE 2.0 changes and practical implementation issues.
• Review nondiscrimination testing methodologies with clients, actuaries, and TPAs.
• Support responses to IRS and DOL inquiries related to qualified plans.
• Collaborate with colleagues on retirement plan issues in transactions and other matters.

Skills

ERISA knowledge

Tax code proficiency

Legal drafting

Client counseling

Plan design

Regulatory interpretation

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Bar admission

LL.M. in Taxation (optional)

Job description

Join a nationally recognised employee benefits practice where you'll advise sophisticated clients on complex, tax-qualified retirement plan issues. This is a direct-hire opportunity for an attorney who enjoys digging into ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code to solve real-world plan design and compliance challenges. You'll work with leading employers on the cutting edge of SECURE 2.0 implementation and qualified plan strategy.

About the Role:

You will serve as a key subject-matter resource on tax-qualified retirement plans, providing practical, business-focused counsel on plan design, operation, and compliance. Working closely with partners and clients, you will help structure and maintain 401(k), profit-sharing, defined benefit, and cash balance plans that meet legal requirements while supporting clients' strategic objectives. Your work will directly impact clients' risk profile and the effectiveness of their retirement programs.

Key Responsibilities:

• Advise clients on the design, implementation, and ongoing administration of tax-qualified retirement plans, including 401(k), profit-sharing, defined benefit, and cash balance plans.
• Analyze plan features and operations for compliance with ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code, including qualification requirements and nondiscrimination rules.
• Draft and revise plan documents, amendments, summary plan descriptions (SPDs), and participant communications, taking responsibility for language and structure.
• Interpret and apply key Code and ERISA provisions (e.g., 401(a), 410(b), 415) to specific client fact patterns and plan designs.
• Counsel clients on SECURE 2.0-related changes, identifying practical implementation issues and proposing workable solutions.
• Review and advise on nondiscrimination testing methodologies and results, coordinating with clients' recordkeepers, actuaries, and third-party administrators.
• Support responses to IRS and DOL inquiries related to qualified plans, including voluntary correction and compliance programs, as needed.
• Collaborate with colleagues across the employee benefits practice to provide integrated advice on retirement plan issues in corporate transactions and other matters.

Key Requirements:

• Minimum 5 years of hands-on experience working with tax-qualified retirement plans, with a primary focus on 401(k), profit-sharing, defined benefit, and/or cash balance plans.
• Working fluency in ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code provisions applicable to qualified plans, including 401(a), 410(b), 415, and related nondiscrimination concepts.
• Demonstrated experience advising on plan design and operational compliance, not limited to litigation, health and welfare, or executive compensation work.
• Proven ability to draft plan documents, amendments, SPDs, and participant communications, with clear examples of documents personally authored.
• Strong capability to discuss current SECURE 2.0 implementation issues and translate regulatory developments into practical client guidance.
• Excellent legal research, analysis, and writing skills, with the ability to present complex rules in a clear, client-friendly manner.
• Track record of direct client interaction, including explaining technical issues and recommendations to both legal and non-legal stakeholders.
• Experience coordinating with recordkeepers, TPAs, actuaries, and payroll/HR teams on qualified plan administration and corrections.
• Familiarity with IRS and DOL correction programs (e.g., EPCRS) and handling plan qualification or compliance issues.
• Exposure to retirement plan issues in corporate transactions, such as mergers, acquisitions, and plan mergers/terminations.
• Prior experience in a law firm or consulting environment serving multiple clients with varying plan designs and compliance needs.

Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
• Admission to at least one U.S. state bar in good standing.
• Additional coursework or certification in employee benefits, tax, or ERISA (e.g., LL.M. in Taxation) preferred but not required.