Associate / Attorney - ESOP Transactions

Watts & Associates is working discreetly with a national full service firm with a recognized corporate and ESOP practice seeking a mid to senior level ESOP Transactions and Services Associate to join its Chicago office on a hybrid basis.\n \n This role offers direct access to sophisticated ESOP transactions, qualified plan work, and executive compensation matters for major corporate clients.

You will work closely with partners, take substantive ownership of complex projects, and build a credible long term platform within a well established national corporate team.\n \n Company Highlights\n \n\n Join a highly regarded national full service platform with approximately 1,000 attorneys across more than 20 offices\n Work on sophisticated ESOP, corporate, and executive compensation matters for significant private company clients\n Benefit from a broad national corporate and transactional practice serving diverse industries and growth companies\n Gain direct partner access, hands on mentorship, and a collaborative, team oriented culture\n Leverage strong training, professional development, and advancement support for long term career progression\n\n \n The Role\n \n\n Lead and support ESOP transaction planning, implementation, and related corporate structuring work\n Advise on ERISA compliance, qualified retirement plans, and Section 409A issues\n Draft and negotiate corporate, plan, and executive compensation documents and related governance materials\n Counsel private companies on corporate governance, executive compensation, and general corporate transactional matters\n Collaborate closely with partners while managing matters with increasing independence and client contact\n\n \n Ideal Candidate Profile\n \n The firm is seeking a mid to senior level ESOP Transactions and Services Associate with:\n\n At least 4 years of focused ESOP transactions and related corporate experience\n Background in ESOP planning, ERISA, qualified retirement plans, Section 409A, and executive compensation\n Active Illinois bar admission or eligibility to become admitted in Illinois\n Strong academic credentials, ideally from a law school ranked approximately in the top 50\n Experience from a sophisticated law firm environment and ability to work in office 4 days each week\n\n \n Compensation & Benefits\n \n\n $260,000 to $420,000 base salary, depending on experience\n Performance based bonus opportunity\n Approximately 1,900 billable hour expectation for lateral associates\n Hybrid working arrangement with 4 days per week in office\n Comprehensive big firm benefits package typical of large national platforms\n\n \n Relevant search terms: ESOP associate, ERISA associate, ESOP attorney Chicago, executive compensation attorney, corporate associate Chicago, transactional associate Chicago, qualified retirement plans attorney, Section 409A lawyer, executive compensation lawyer, corporate governance attorney, private company transactions lawyer, mid level corporate associate, senior corporate associate, Chicago attorney jobs, national law firm corporate, ESOP transactions lawyer, ERISA lawyer Illinois, corporate bar Illinois, law firm associate Chicago, Watts and Associates\n \n #lawjobs #attorneyjobs #corporateattorney #ESOP #ERISA #executivecompensation #chicagolawjobs #transactionalattorney #corporatelaw #biglawcareers #lateralattorney #lawfirmjobs #careerprogression #legalrecruiting #inhousealternatives