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Employee Benefits Attorney Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Orion Placement

ERISA Benefits Attorney

Buffalo, NY

$110K - $140K/yr

Work directly with experienced attorneys on sophisticated ERISA, employee benefits, labor, and employment matters. * Build meaningful client relationships with labor unions, benefit funds, and ...

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Employee Benefits Attorney information

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$67.5K

$146.2K

$200K

How much do employee benefits attorney jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for employee benefits attorney in the United States is $146,214.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $88,500.00 and $180,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an employee benefits attorney, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Employee Benefits Attorney, you need a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, active bar admission, and deep knowledge of ERISA, tax law, and employee benefits regulations. Familiarity with legal research databases (like Westlaw or LexisNexis) and specialized compliance software is typically required. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for interpreting complex laws and advising clients. Mastery of these skills ensures accurate legal counsel, minimizes risk, and helps organizations maintain compliance with intricate benefits regulations.

What is the difference between Employee Benefits Attorney vs Employee Benefits Specialist?

AspectEmployee Benefits Attorney

Employee Benefits Attorneys focus on legal compliance, drafting benefit plans, and advising employers on ERISA and tax laws. They typically hold law degrees and bar admissions, working in law firms or corporate legal departments. Employee Benefits Specialists, on the other hand, implement and manage employee benefit programs, often with backgrounds in HR or benefits administration, working directly within companies or benefits providers. While both roles involve employee benefits, attorneys primarily handle legal aspects, whereas specialists focus on program administration and employee communication.

What are some typical challenges an employee benefits attorney faces when advising clients on compliance matters?

Employee Benefits Attorneys often encounter challenges such as keeping up with frequently changing regulations under laws like ERISA, the Affordable Care Act, and IRS guidelines. They must carefully interpret complex legal requirements to help clients avoid costly compliance errors. Additionally, they frequently coordinate with HR professionals, accountants, and plan administrators to ensure all aspects of employee benefit plans are properly documented and operated. Navigating these complexities requires strong communication skills and attention to detail, as clients rely on their attorney to guide them through both routine compliance and unexpected legal issues.

What is an employee benefits attorney?

An employee benefits attorney counsels employers on different benefit plan options and ensures compliance with the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, a federal law also known as ERISA. As a lawyer in this type of law practice, responsibilities involve assisting HR with the development, implementation, and compliance of all pension, health, and disability plans. They also advise clients on other labor laws as well as executive benefits, addressing concerns surrounding equity-based compensation, bonuses, and supplemental retirement. An employee benefits attorney typically works for a law firm or in-house.

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Employee Benefits Attorney jobs near you
Infographic showing various Employee Benefits Attorney job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $146,214 per year, or $70.3 per hour.

Senior Compensation & Benefits Attorney (Qualified Plans)

Direct Counsel

Washington, DC • On-site

$390K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 27 days ago

Job description

Senior Compensation & Benefits Attorney (Qualified Plans)
Boston, MA | Chicago, IL | Washington, D.C. | Los Angeles, CA | New York, NY | Palo Alto, CA | Reston, VA | San Diego, CA | San Francisco, CA

Direct Counsel is seeking a Senior Compensation & Benefits Attorney to join a prestigious Am Law 100 law firmwith a nationally recognized Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation practice.

This opportunity is ideal for an experienced benefits attorney with significant expertise advising clients on tax-qualified retirement plans, health and welfare plans, ERISA compliance, and employee benefits issues arising in corporate transactions.

About the Role

The firm's Compensation & Benefits group advises public and private companies, private equity sponsors, fiduciaries, plan sponsors, and financial institutions on a broad range of employee benefits, executive compensation, and ERISA-related matters.

Attorneys in this role will work on sophisticated matters involving:

  • Tax-qualified retirement plans

  • Defined contribution and defined benefit plans

  • Health and welfare benefit plans

  • ERISA compliance and fiduciary matters

  • Employee benefits aspects of mergers, acquisitions, and corporate transactions

  • Plan design, implementation, and administration

  • Regulatory compliance and risk management

  • Benefits-related due diligence

  • Government audits, investigations, and correction programs

  • Executive compensation and related advisory matters

This position offers substantial client interaction and the opportunity to advise on complex benefits issues across a variety of industries and transaction types.

Responsibilities

Key responsibilities include:

  • Advising clients on the design, implementation, and administration of qualified retirement and welfare benefit plans.

  • Counseling employers and plan fiduciaries regarding ERISA compliance requirements.

  • Drafting and revising plan documents, participant disclosures, amendments, and related materials.

  • Assisting clients with compliance testing and operational compliance matters.

  • Advising on IRS and Department of Labor filings, audits, and investigations.

  • Managing correction matters and regulatory compliance projects.

  • Supporting corporate transactions by advising on employee benefits due diligence and integration issues.

  • Counseling clients regarding benefits-related risks arising in mergers, acquisitions, restructurings, and other strategic transactions.

Qualifications

  • J.D. from an accredited law school with strong academic credentials.

  • Minimum of 6 years of employee benefits and ERISA experience.

  • Significant experience advising on:

    • Tax-qualified retirement plans

    • Health and welfare benefit plans

    • ERISA compliance and fiduciary matters

    • Employee benefits issues in corporate transactions

  • Experience drafting plan documents, amendments, and participant disclosures.

  • Familiarity with compliance testing requirements.

  • Experience handling IRS and Department of Labor filings, audits, and correction programs.

  • Strong analytical, drafting, and problem-solving skills.

  • Excellent written and oral communication abilities.

  • Ability to manage sophisticated client matters independently while working collaboratively within a team environment.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience with Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs).

  • Familiarity with ERISA plan asset rules.

  • Experience advising private equity sponsors, public companies, or large plan sponsors.

Why Consider This Opportunity

This position offers the opportunity to join a highly sophisticated employee benefits practice and advise clients on some of the most complex benefits and transactional matters in the market.

Attorneys in this group benefit from:

  • Exposure to high-profile corporate and transactional work.

  • Direct client interaction and advisory responsibility.

  • Collaboration with leading practitioners in employee benefits, executive compensation, tax, and corporate law.

  • A nationally recognized platform with a diverse client base.

  • Strong mentorship and professional development opportunities.

  • Long-term career growth within a premier practice.

Compensation & Benefits

Expected annual compensation begins at $390,000+, with final compensation determined based on experience, qualifications, office location, and other relevant factors.

The firm offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

  • Medical, dental, and vision coverage

  • Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

  • Life and disability insurance

  • Pre-tax commuter benefits

  • Backup child and adult care resources

  • Generous parental leave and fertility benefits

  • Four weeks of vacation annually

  • Paid sick leave and firm holidays

  • Long-term financial wellness and retirement benefits

This is an exceptional opportunity for a senior employee benefits attorney seeking sophisticated ERISA and qualified plan work, significant client responsibility, and a platform for long-term career advancement within a leading national practice.