ERISA Attorney

General Description: 

The ERISA attorney provides technical regulatory and compliance support to the Company’s cross-functional Practice Areas (including actuarial, defined contribution consulting, record-keeping, investment advisory, and third-party outsourcing) and its clients in matters relating to retirement and employee benefit plans (DB, DC, Non-Qualified) (ERISA and non-ERISA). 

Responsibilities:

• Compliance with IRS, DOL, and SEC laws and regulations for all retirement and employee benefit plans and programs.
• Establish effective working relationships with internal partners, clients, and outside vendors
• Provide plan design advice and recommendations.
• Review and draft plan documents, amendments, SPDs, board of directors resolutions, trust agreements, investment policy statements, and other communications (including, but not limited to, required governmental reporting and disclosure documents).
• Prepare governmental filings, including determination letter filings, and voluntary corrections with the DOL and IRS.
• Advise on the retirement and employee benefit issues that arise as a result of mergers and acquisitions.
• Advise on nondiscrimination testing.
• Perform fiduciary training to clients and advise on plan governance procedures for best practices.
• Contribute to USICG’s business development and operate as a resource to the Sales Team. Facilitate communication and consistency of Practice Areas processes and procedures to avoid errors and limit E&O exposure.
• Review peer and paralegal work product.
• Review and analyze current developments of legal and technical significance and undertake required legal research and analysis, interpret laws.
• Prepare client communications, and other marketing and business focused materials, including newsletters, webinars, and white-papers.
• Review and prepare service agreements and contracts and other disclosure documents.
• Supervise legal support staff as necessary.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Law degree and be an active member in good standing of a state bar, ERISA Attorney required.
• Minimum of 4 years experience with legal research, document review and have extensive knowledge of requirements and regulations of DOL, IRS, FINRA and SEC, etc.
• Ability to understand, interpret and convey information to clients and prospects and represent the Company in a professional manner.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, the ability to establish priorities and meet tight deadlines, as well as strong problem-solving skills and sound judgment.
• Ability to creatively and proactively problem-solve, adhering to all regulatory requirements.
• Ability to stay organized and focused in a busy fast-paced environment.
• Effective communication skills with clients and co-workers, both verbal and written, and must be comfortable with public speaking .
• Personable and credible.
• Demonstrates cooperation and collaboration in a team setting, and the ability to achieve the business goals of the Company.
• Must be proficient with computers and quickly competent with new technology tools.  Specifically, must have full competence with MS Office Suite products and Adobe products.

Physical Demands:

 Work is performed in a climate controlled office environment with minimal noise and limited to no exposure to chemicals or toxins.  Employees operate office equipment including; telephone - headset, Computer,   computer monitors, keyboard, mouse, copier, scanner and mail machine.  Physical tasks of job include; walking, sitting, standing, bending and fingering.

Analysis of Physical Demands:

·         Constantly (over 66% of time) work performed requires employees to use repetitive hand motions such as fingering, using a keyboard, and sitting at a desk.

·         Frequently (34%-66% of time) work performed requires employees to handle and grasp things, walk on normal surfaces, stand and bend.

·         Occasionally (1%-33% of time) work performed requires employees to drive to client appointments, have repetitive foot movements, walk on uneven or slippery surfaces to and from work and occasionally reach outward to grab things and bend. Rarely  (< than 1 hour per week) work performed  requires Lifting/Carrying  items that range from 10-50lbs, pushing/pulling  items that range from 10-50lbs,  twisting/ turning including reaching over shoulder or above head , kneeling or squatting.