Associate Counsel/ERISA Lawyer

Company Description

As part of the Wilshire family, you can rest assured that every day you are contributing to an organization that is helping investors improve their financial outcomes. For more than 50 years, Wilshire has been dedicated to providing customized portfolio solutions grounded in research and powered by next generation technologies.

Wilshire advises on over $1 trillion in assets for some of the world’s largest and most sophisticated institutional investors and is headquartered in the United States with offices worldwide.

Job Description

We are seeking a knowledgeable and experienced Associate Counsel to join our in-house legal team. The ideal candidate will have a deep background in asset management supporting 3(38) and 3(21) advisory mandates, and knowledge of laws and regulations related to investment management and advisory services provided to retirement plans, corporate and government pensions, foundations, and endowments. Experience advising on ERISA fiduciary considerations and prohibited transactions is a prerequisite. Prior work experience in asset management is highly preferred.

What you’ll do:

• Provide legal advice and guidance on ERISA compliance and related regulations
• Oversee and manage legal aspects of asset management services, ensuring adherence to applicable laws and industry standards
• Negotiate all ERISA-related contracts across various business lines, ensuring compliance and alignment with fiduciary obligations
• Advise on fiduciary matters related to the firm’s internal benefit plans and changes to ERISA rules impacting benefit plan fiduciaries
• Provide legal support for existing and new services and product offerings across the firm
• Negotiate investment management agreements and other contracts involving plan assets
• Participate in client onboarding and implementation meetings to ensure compliance with legal and fiduciary standards
• Manage conflicts of interest across different client types and products, ensuring transparency and adherence to regulatory guidelines
• Advise on overall fiduciary governance and compliance, ensuring that all practices meet regulatory requirements and best practices
• Support the firm’s qualified professional asset manager (QPAM) compliance program, overseeing compliance with internal reviews, reports, policies and procedures, audit requests, and QPAM training
• Draft, review, and negotiate contracts, including investment management agreements, consulting agreements, service agreements, and other legal documents
• Conduct legal research and stay updated on relevant legislation and regulatory developments affecting the asset management industry
• Assist with the development of training materials and programs to educate internal teams on compliance and legal requirements

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school
• 5-6 years of relevant ERISA asset management legal experience required, including in-house at a registered investment adviser and/or an AmLaw 100 law firm
• Deep knowledge of ERISA regulations, asset management, and retirement plan compliance
• Experience managing the regulatory environment governing investment advisory services, including conflicts management across a variety of clients and product types
• Excellent analytical, drafting, and negotiation skills
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across departments
• Active member in good standing of the CA, IL or NY bar
• Must be available 2-3 days in-office at Wilshire's offices in Santa Monica, Chicago or New York City

Additional Information

• This position will work on a hybrid model out of our Santa Monica, Chicago, or New York offices
• We offer a comprehensive benefits package including a collaborative work environment, generous PTO, 401(k) match, affordable & comprehensive medical/dental/vision insurance, CFA and other professional membership reimbursement, and more.

The pay range for this position is $200,000. However, base pay will be determined on an individual basis considering various factors, including location, qualifications, skills, and experience. The total compensation package includes eligibility for an annual discretionary bonus and a full range of health and financial benefit offerings, which will be provided in conjunction with an offer of employment.

Visit www.wilshire.com for additional company information. 

Wilshire is an SEC registered investment adviser and required to track certain political contributions under Rule 206(4)-5. As such, you may be required to disclose your prior political contributions.

We are an equal opportunity employer, which means we afford equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of race/ethnicity, creed, color, religion, sex (including gender and gender identity), national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, veteran status, citizenship status, disability, medical condition (as defined by California Government Code section 12926), or sexual orientation. Our employees, as well as applicants and others with whom we do business, will not be subjected to sexual, racial, religious, ethnic, or any other form of unlawful harassment. In addition, Wilshire adheres to the equal employment opportunity requirements of all states and localities in which it does business. We are completely committed to these principles not only because of the various laws which address these subjects, but because it is the right thing to do for our employees and clients to thrive.

If you have a disability, and require reasonable accommodations in the application process, contact Human Resources at [email protected] or 310-584-6011.

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