Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation Associate Attorney

Job Description

Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation Associate Attorney

Atlanta, GA; Austin, TX; Baltimore, MD; Boston, MA; Chicago, IL; Dallas, TX; Houston, TX; Los Angeles, CA; Miami, FL; Minneapolis, MN; New York, NY; Palo Alto, CA; Philadelphia, PA; Phoenix, AZ; Raleigh, NC; Reston, VA; San Diego, CA; San Francisco, CA; Seattle, WA; Short Hills, NJ; Washington, DC; Wilmington, DE

Direct Counsel is seeking an Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation Associate Attorney to join a leading Am Law firm’s nationally recognized Tax/Corporate practice. This opportunity is ideal for an attorney with 3+ years of applicable corporate or executive compensation experience, particularly someone interested in working on sophisticated private equity and M&A-driven compensation and benefits matters.

The ideal candidate will have strong experience advising on equity plans, executive compensation arrangements, retention and incentive packages, retirement and welfare plans, and employee benefits issues arising in mergers and acquisitions, with a particular emphasis on private equity transactions. This role offers substantive deal involvement, close collaboration with corporate deal teams, and meaningful client-facing responsibility in a highly strategic practice.Key Responsibilities

Advise on employee benefits and executive compensation matters in complex transactions

Support private equity, M&A, and other strategic corporate transactions

Draft and negotiate equity plans, award agreements, executive employment agreements, and retention packages

Counsel clients on retirement plans, welfare plans, and incentive compensation arrangements

Conduct legal research and analysis related to ERISA, tax, securities, and executive compensation issues

Assist with transaction diligence, structuring, and closing support

Advise on employee benefits and compensation issues in change-of-control and sponsor-backed transactions

Work collaboratively with corporate, tax, labor, and private equity teams

Participate directly in client calls, negotiations, and strategic planning discussions

Stay current on legal developments affecting benefits, compensation, and transactional structuresQualifications

3+ years of relevant corporate, employee benefits, or executive compensation experience

Strong interest in executive compensation and employee benefits law

Experience with equity compensation, executive retention, and incentive structures

Familiarity with benefits and compensation issues in M&A and private equity transactions

Am Law 100 experience preferred

Excellent research, drafting, analytical, and communication skills

Strong organizational skills and attention to detail

Sound business judgment and client management ability

Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment

JD from an accredited law school

Active bar admission in the state of office locationCompensation

$260,000 – $390,000, depending on geographic market, experience, and overall qualifications.Why This Opportunity

This is an exceptional opportunity to join a top-tier executive compensation and benefits platform working on sophisticated sponsor-side and strategic corporate transactions. The role offers a highly collaborative culture, strong mentorship, hybrid flexibility, and the chance to develop a specialized, high-value practice at the intersection of tax, private equity, and M&A.

Full-time

Hybrid remote