Job Description:

Job DescriptionGould & Ratner LLP is seeking a highly experienced Employee Benefits (ERISA) & Executive Compensation Partner to join its Human Resources and Employment Practice. This attorney will have significant experience counseling clients on all aspects of employee benefits and executive compensation matters, including qualified retirement plans, ERISA requirements, healthcare and welfare plans, non-qualified deferred compensation plans and stock option agreements.This is an excellent opportunity for an attorney who is interested in expanding their business, stepping into meaningful client relationships, taking on a leadership role and being part of the Firm's overall succession plan. We are looking for an attorney who wants to develop and lead the Firm's growing Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation group.Please note that this role allows a flexible work schedule with a hybrid remotein-office presence.Job RequirementsSignificant experience counseling clients on the design and implementation of all types of qualified retirement plans including, 401(k) plans, pension plans, profit-sharing plans, ESOPs and other defined benefit plans.Experience advising clients on ERISA requirements and reviewing employee retirement plans to ensure legal compliance.Substantial understanding of the "controlled group rules" and the "controlled group analysis" for employee benefits plans.Significant experience structuring and administering healthcare plans (medical and dental insurance), welfare plans (life and disability insurance) and cafeteria plans in compliance with the requirements of ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, the Americans With Disabilities Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).Significant experience counseling clients on the design and implementation of all types of executive compensation plans and agreements, including non-qualified deferred compensation plans, bonus and other incentive compensation plans, stock option agreements, phantom stock plans, restricted stock awards and other supplemental retirement arrangements.Experience counseling clients on all employee benefits and executive compensation issues that may arise during corporate mergers and acquisitions, including advising buyers and sellers on due diligence issues, determining benefit plan liability exposure, merging target company benefit plans into acquiring company benefit plans, establishing new tax-qualified retirement plans, designing new equity-based executive compensation arrangements andor taking steps to terminate or spin off overlapping, conflicting or costly benefit programs.Ability to handle all administrative and operational issues associated with implementing employee retirement plans, healthcare and welfare plans and executive compensation plans.Strong interpersonal and communication skills. This attorney will serve as a business advisor to clients, guiding them through a full range of financial, business and tax-related matters throughout their life cycle. The ideal candidate will have the confidence and demeanor to interact and build relationships with the Firm's current clients, as well as the drive and ability to develop additional client relationships and business.Exceptional leadership skills. This attorney must have the ability and desire to step into a leadership role and develop an Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation group within the Firm.A degree or background in tax, finance or business is a preferred, but not required.Candidates must be currently licensed in Illinois or licensed in another state with a UBE score that qualifies in Illinois for comity, be eligible to waive in, or be willing to sit for an upcoming IL bar exam (open to relocation candidates that meet these requirements).Portable book of business required.Additional HighlightsOpportunity to step into meaningful client relationships and be a key component of the Firm's succession plan.Opportunity to develop and lead your own Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation practice.Emphasis on professional and business development.Low turnover, collegial and collaborative environment.Healthcare, life and disability petitive compensation, benefits package and a generous 401k plan.Employee discounts and wellness programs.Hybrid in-officeremote role.About Gould & RatnerGould & Ratner is an 80-year old Chicago law firm with a team of over 50 attorneys, representing Fortune 500 corporations, closely held businesses, financial institutions, entrepreneurs and family businesses in diverse and complex matters throughout the world. Our team consists of a deep bench of sophisticated and experienced attorneys that provide exceptional legal services while affording our clients the benefits of working with an agile and entrepreneurial-minded team of result-oriented, well-rounded this ever-changing and complex world, Gould & Ratner remains one of the few truly mid-size law firms in Chicago. Thus, while our work is as sophisticated and complex as the mega firms, our focus on tailored service is something only a smaller firm like ours can deliver. This allows us the unique ability to employ our multi-faceted approach to legal service for clients of every size and in every industry. For example, our attorneys handled the $800 million redevelopment of Chicago's Old Post Office and the $840 million purchase of the Sears (now Willis) Tower. We have handled more than $10 billion in corporate transactions in the past decade and argued cases before a number of appellate forums, including the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals and the Illinois Appellate and Supreme Courts.Gould & Ratner is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, creed, medical condition including pregnancy, disability, genetic information, gender identity and expression, marriage or parental status, sexual orientation, or Veteran's status.