Our client is an elite, Chicago-based law firm recognized as a national leader in workplace law and commercial representation. Their Employee Benefits group is seeking a motivated Junior Associate to provide sophisticated legal counsel on a wide array of compliance and regulatory matters.

This is a high-growth opportunity for a junior attorney to move beyond "back-office" research and into a client-facing role, counseling organizations on the complex legal landscape of retirement and health welfare plans.

Key Responsibilities

• Retirement Plan Counseling: Advise clients on the design and legal compliance of qualified retirement plans, including 401(k), 403(b), and 457(b) plans.
• Health & Welfare Compliance: Counsel employers on group health plan obligations involving HIPAA, COBRA, the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and MHPAEA.
• Executive Compensation: Assist in the drafting and review of deferred compensation plans and related executive agreements.
• Taft-Hartley/Multiemployer Plans: Support the firm’s unique work with multiemployer plans, navigating the specific regulatory hurdles of the Taft-Hartley Act.
• Litigation Support: Assist with ERISA-related litigation, including researching complex fiduciary duty issues and drafting pleadings or motions for benefits disputes.
• Regulatory Navigation: Monitor and interpret evolving IRS and DOL regulations to ensure client benefit programs remain compliant and tax-efficient.

Qualifications

• Experience: 1–3 years of experience in employee benefits or ERISA law within a law firm or sophisticated corporate legal department.
• Technical Knowledge: Foundational understanding of the Internal Revenue Code and ERISA as they relate to retirement and health plans.
• Desired Specialties: Experience with Taft-Hartley multiemployer plans or ERISA litigation is highly desirable and will be prioritized.
• Education: J.D. from an accredited law school; active IL Bar membership (or eligibility to waive in).
• Soft Skills: Ability to translate complex regulations into actionable business advice for HR and executive leadership teams.
• Presence: Willingness to work from the Chicago office 3-4 days a week, fostering mentorship and collaboration with senior partners.