Attorney, Compensation & Benefits

Location: New York City, New York (Local) Industry: Legal Term: Full Time

Join a premier, globally recognized legal team dedicated to navigating the intricate intersection of tax law, ERISA, and corporate strategy. We are seeking a high-caliber associate (3–5 years of experience) to provide sophisticated counsel to our elite client base on their most critical compensation and benefits matters. This is a pivotal role within our transactional practice, offering the opportunity to work on high-stakes mergers, acquisitions, and private equity deals while helping industry leaders design competitive and compliant incentive structures.

What you will accomplish:

• Transactional excellence: Serve as a key advisor during complex corporate transactions, managing the benefits and compensation aspects of multi-billion-dollar deals.
• Strategic compliance: Navigate the complexities of Section 409A, Section 162(m), and Section 280G, ensuring that executive arrangements are optimized and compliant with evolving tax codes.
• ERISA & tax governance: Provide expert guidance on ERISA fiduciary responsibilities and the tax implications of employee benefit plans and equity-based compensation.
• Executive disclosure: Advise public and private entities on compensation disclosure requirements, helping them maintain transparency and regulatory alignment.
• Incentive design: Collaboratively draft and refine executive employment agreements, change-in-control protections, and sophisticated equity incentive programs.

Qualifications:

• 3–5 years of dedicated practice in executive compensation and employee benefits, preferably within a large-firm environment.
• Deep understanding of the Internal Revenue Code and ERISA is essential.
• Proven experience with nuances of golden parachute rules (280G) and deferred compensation (409A).
• JD from a top-tier law school and an active bar license in good standing.
• Skills: Top AMLAW 50 preferred Excellent credentials, GPA above 4.0 ERISA & TAX experience Academics from a top-tier law school