About the company
Our client is a law firm.
The role
Raydar is recruiting for this role on behalf of our client. Counsel employers on the creation, upkeep and regulatory compliance of retirement programs, with a focus on tax-qualified arrangements. Partner with corporate colleagues on the benefits side of deals and advise on senior-level pay structures. The position involves direct client contact and a route to equity partnership.
What you'll do
- Create and update retirement savings and pension arrangements for employer clients of many sizes.
- Guide plan sponsors and fiduciary committees through everyday compliance, testing, corrective filings and government audits.
- Roll out the requirements of new retirement legislation and track ongoing regulatory changes.
- Work with deal teams on benefits due diligence, reviewing a target's programs, flagging exposure, negotiating contract protections and managing integration after closing.
- Advise on deferred pay programs, senior-level pay packages, stock-based awards and separation terms.
- Build relationships with institutional clients and support them through busy year-end periods.
- Take part in a team-based practice that encourages cross-group work and helps junior lawyers grow.
Requirements
What we're looking for
- Roughly 4 to 10 years of law firm practice in employee benefits, centered on retirement and ERISA matters.
- Hands-on background in setting up, documenting and revising tax-qualified retirement programs.
- Experience advising employers who sponsor benefit programs, or handling the benefits portion of corporate transactions.
- Command of qualified plan compliance topics such as testing, corrections, audit response and adoption of new legislative requirements.
- A JD from an accredited law school.
- Admission to the New York bar, or eligibility and willingness to waive in.
- Excellent drafting and written communication skills, producing plan documents, amendments, memos and client deliverables.
- A collaborative, team-oriented style and a responsive, proactive approach to communication.
- Residence in the region, or readiness to relocate there.
Bonus points
- Experience with benefits diligence and post-closing integration in mergers and acquisitions.
- Background in deferred pay rules, employment agreements, severance and equity-based incentive programs.
- A tax LL.M. or CPA credential.
- Exposure to group health and welfare plan regulation.
- Comfort working directly with clients.
- Existing ties to upstate New York.
Benefits
Compensation and benefits
- Base salary: USD 139,000 to 192,000 per year
Location and work model
- Rochester, Buffalo or Albany, New York, United States
- Hybrid, approximately 50% in-office over the course of a year
- Full-time
Skills Required
- Approximately 4 to 10 years of law firm practice in employee benefits, retirement, and ERISA matters
- Experience establishing, documenting, and revising tax-qualified retirement plans
- Experience advising employer plan sponsors or handling employee benefits aspects of corporate transactions
- Knowledge of qualified plan compliance, testing, corrections, audit response, and retirement legislation
- Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school
- Admission to the New York bar, or eligibility and willingness to waive in
- Excellent drafting and written communication skills
- Collaborative, responsive, and proactive communication style
- Residence in the region or willingness to relocate
- Experience with benefits diligence and post-closing M&A integration
- Experience with deferred compensation, employment agreements, severance, or equity incentive programs
- Tax LL.M. or CPA credential
- Exposure to group health and welfare plan regulation
- Comfort working directly with clients
- Existing ties to upstate New York
What We Do
Raydar is a talent acquisition and business consulting firm that connects world-class and emerging talent with growing organizations. It supports companies through team development, strategic hiring, and customized growth solutions, helping clients recruit roles such as engineers, product managers, executives, legal counsel, and quantitative traders. Raydar focuses on understanding each organization’s needs, culture, and long-term goals to build high-impact teams.
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